2 Corinthians 13

The Temple at Corinth

1. The angel’s announcement to Zacharias:

“You will have JOY!”

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias

for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, ….

2. Zacharias’ response:

“You shall have JOY!”

DISBELIEF

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God,

and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

How big is your God? Bigger than the circumstances you face? For too many God is too small. If we live with a small god, we live in a state of fear because the outcome depends on us. When we think God cannot, (John Ortberg writes) we offer prayer without power. Work without passion, service without joy, suffering without hope.

3. Gabriel’s announcement to Mary:

REJOICE!

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” … And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great…

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, … also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

4. Mary’s response:

BELIEF

and PRAISE

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” … And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. …. .

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. … He has shown strength with His arm; … He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers....

REFLECTION

• How big is your God? Capable of bringing a child to a couple well advanced in years? Capable of bringing a child of a virgin?

• If God is bigger than the circumstances, how should that affect how we approach our circumstances?

• Christmas is a season reminding us to praise God for what He has done and trusting Him to handle what we face.