Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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ANNUNCIATION TO VIRGIN MARY- A PEACEFUL KINGDOM
Isaiah 11:1-10
Mathew T Mathew
Epiphany MTC, New York
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples, the nations will rally to him, And his resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10

Isaiah is prophesying about the birth of Jesus. That prophesy is coming true when the angel Gabriel appears to Virgin Mary in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. This encounter is described in Luke 1:26-38.

In the Bible, God appears to different people in different circumstances. In Genesis 12:1, the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you”. Abraham had to believe that promise and endure many hardships before he saw the fulfillment of that promise.  Abram had to go into a land he didn’t know, wait for a son, then almost sacrifice his son before he saw God fulfilling His promise “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you.” (Gen. 12:2).  

When God make promises, he will fulfil it.  But the people he chooses for the fulfilment of his promises must be willing to accept the assignment unconditionally.  Abram had to wait a long time for the fulfilment of the promise to come true (Gen 12:4, 21:5).  Mary too had to surrender completely to the will of God. Even without knowing the consequences of that decision, Mary said “I am the Lord’s servant,” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38).  This unconditional acceptance of God’s will in Mary’s life enabled the fulfilment of the prophesy of Isaiah about the birth of Jesus.  

We also have to believe in God’s promises. Before Jesus left the earth, He said “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20)  This is a commandment to all of us.  But to do that we should surrender our lives completely to His will like Mary did. Let us dedicate our lives for the spread of the Gospel, for the extension of the kingdom of God.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to surrender our lives completely to Your will to pursue a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6)

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