“God sending His Son is His way of saying, “You matter to me.”

-Robby Gallaty [Senior Pastor, Brainerd Baptist Church]

Today’s message was quite a powerful one. I left completely convicted and in awe of the wonder of God and Jesus Christ. Brother Robby’s message was entitled “The Wait is Over” [referencing Luke 1:39-56].  Yes, like many messages during this time of the year, it was focused on the birth of Christ. However, what made this one so different was its emphasis on Jesus in the womb and His effects before he’d even entered the world–a time that I’ve never really had the privilege of studying before. It’s truly beautiful and miraculous when examined closely, like many things in the Bible are.

While there was a wealth of great information in Brother Robby’s message today, there were two things that I was particularly drawn to–one being Israel’s anticipation. The coming of a Savior had been prophesied for years through the Old Testament and people were waiting, diligently waiting for the One who would bring redemption and salvation for them. People were waiting for a King, a Messiah, presumably one who would come down from the heavens, casting a blinding light over the world and declare that he was the one who’d they’d been waiting for. Everyone was ready for the wait to be over. When Mary went to see Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist, we see in Luke 1 that Elizabeth greets Mary with joy. Both of these women, carrying great men of God, were elated for one another. There was no hint of jealousy, doubt, or disbelief which makes them all the more admirable. Not only does Elizabeth greet Mary with joy, but John, six months old and still in the womb, jumps for joy in Elizabeth’s belly Luke 1 tells us! How awesome is that? Still a fetus is his mother’s womb, having yet to see the light of the world, John makes his first prophesy [as Brother Robby pointed out] of the greatness of Christ, the Messiah. The One for whom Israel was so diligently seeking and waiting.

Another thing which stood out to me, and perhaps my favorite part of today’s message was Mary’s adoration. At thirteen years old, Mary understood and was humbled by the Majesty and Greatness who had been bestowed upon her. So innocent and so incredibly young, Mary understood that although she had come from nothing, she had something to be grateful for only because of God. She was chosen, out of billions of women throughout time, to carry the Messiah, not because of who she was, but instead because of who God was and who her Son would be to the world. In fact, Brother Robby pointed out that Elizabeth did not proclaim to Mary, “Blessed are you above women” but instead, “Blessed are you AMONG women.” How awesome is that?! [Blessed meaning “God’s favor has rested upon you.”]

Due to Mary’s adoration of her circumstance, her Savior, and her God, she offers what is called a Magnificat or a song of praise:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Beautiful, isn’t it? I, myself, am in awe of Mary’s adoration, her humility, her belief, and her acceptance of the incredible blessing God entrusted her with. It’s crazy to imagine that a girl of only thirteen years old, could be so well versed in the promises and proclamations of the Old Testament, her relationship with God is truly encouraging and through Mary, the Savior so many had been praying and waiting through birth in a lowly manger came into this world proclaiming, “The wait is over because YOU matter to ME.”

Brother Robby shared a tear-jerking story with us today as well should you wish to read it for yourself. Its a true story of the miraculous power of persistence, belief, and perfect love:  http://bit.ly/eDD6Kp