Expectation: Promise Fulfilled

Throughout the writings of the Old Testament prophets, we witness the story of God’s chosen people. Again and again, they turn from the God who loves them fiercely, trading Him for idols. Whether false gods or the sinful longings of their own hearts, they choose to walk away from the One who called them His own.

In the book of Malachi, we see the final words of prophecy given. Then four hundred years of silence from God. No prophets speaking God’s Words to the people. No noticeable actions by God on behalf of His chosen people. Yet, daily life continued. Generations of people were born, lived, and died. Kingdoms rose to power and were conquered by new powers and kings. Ideas and practices came and went.

Living through times of expectant waiting can be extremely trying and painful. The older you get, the more seasons of waiting you have likely lived through. These seasons seem to be replete with cycles of rising anticipation followed by crushing periods of continued loss and questions. These are times when having a firm foundation of belief can carry you forward and allow your heart to continue to hope. It is vital to fully know with your mind the One who holds all truth and righteousness so that your heart can survive the intensity of waiting.

In the first chapter of Luke's Gospel, we meet real people whose ancestors chose to remain faithful to God. They passed on their knowledge of God—His love, His character, His law, and all of His promises. Perhaps they clung to the words of Psalm 70:

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation, the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Though God had appeared silent for those 400 years, He was continually working. He had promised that He would be their God, that they would be His people and that He would live in their midst. He had promised a savior and a blessing to His people.

These are the things that had been taught to Mary. She was young, yet as we read her words, we see that she knew God’s character because she had been taught truth from the Torah and the Prophets. She knew a promised savior was coming and that when He came, the lives and hearts of her people would be changed forever. Mary knew Hannah’s prayer, she knew the words of the psalms, and she held onto the promises of God.

In Elizabeth's and Hannah's (1 Sam 2) stories, the message from God relieved them of the stigma that society had placed upon them. The shame of being childless and barren was overwhelming, but God opened their wombs to fulfill His plan. For Mary, being pregnant would bring shame. She was engaged but not yet married. To be pregnant outside of wedlock would have brought ridicule and ostracization from those in her village.

In Luke's recounting of Gabriel's conversation with Mary, it only mentions that Mary was afraid at Gabriel's salutation, but it doesn't mention fear in her heart at the announcement of her pregnancy. She was rightly confused as to the means, but she doesn't seem to be afraid to follow God's plan. She immediately took a posture of submission to His plan. She chooses to trust in Him and His ability over her own understanding. She simply says, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

Her ability to be open to obedience didn't come about in that instant. Rather, she was able to yield to God's plan because she knew God. She had heard of the wonders of the plagues and the Exodus. She had heard of the mighty conquests of David, the man after God's own heart. She knew of the promise to David of an unending kingdom. Likely, she had heard of the exiles of the nation of Israel and the restoration of the nation to its promised land. She worshipped God at the temple and sang the songs of His glory.

She had a foundation to draw upon. There was no need for an emotional response to the angel’s proclamation. She had the knowledge of the truth and righteousness of God’s character to help her process and accept the gift.

Shortly after Gabriel's visit to Mary, she leaves to visit her relative Elizabeth. The interaction recorded in Luke of their initial interaction is quite amazing. Mary and Elizabeth didn't have full access to the Holy Spirit, as that occurs only after Christ's death and resurrection. But according to Luke, they were given a temporary indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (This is much like in the OT, when the Spirit comes upon David or Samuel.)

Only with the Holy Spirit would Elizabeth be able to know and acknowledge that Mary was not just carrying a baby, but was pregnant with the Messiah—the promised one! Mary had been chosen to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, and Elizabeth was given that knowledge.

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 2:41-45

Even though Mary readily submitted to the Lord’s plan, I think these words from Elizabeth acted upon her mind as a confirmation. God used Elizabeth as the older, more mature believer to speak to Mary’s heart. Perhaps, as Mary’s predicament became known in the village, she was beginning to have doubts and fears. Elizabeth confirmed all that Gabriel had said, and from this intimate exchange, we read the beautiful words of Mary’s song:

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 2:46-55

When we read the story of the first Advent, it should give us great comfort as well as great hope. God came through on His promised plan of redemption. In the words of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Just as the birth of Jesus occurred in God’s perfect timing, so will the final fulfillment of God’s plan.

We also live in a period of waiting. We are in between the first advent, Christ’s birth, and the second advent, Christ’s return. Just like Mary, we are to look back and see all the promises fulfilled so that we can rest in confidence and know for certain that our God is Lord and His character is full of goodness, grace, and mercy. He will do all that He says He will do. Now, in this moment in time, we are called to hold on to hope and persevere in our faith. Thankfully, we have easy access to the Bible so we can read the histories, the prophecies, and the promises of God. We can meet God within the pages of Scripture, and we can hear the words of the Holy Spirit.

Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.

(Psalm 25:5 Living Bible)