Utterance

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day three)

And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”

Like other births preceded by heavenly visitations in scripture, much mystery surrounded the prophecy of the boy’s life and work. But the parents were certain about the name. Clearly Zechariah and Elizabeth had discussed the angelic appearance and divine directive thoroughly (despite Zechariah’s temporary aphonia). The family, however, challenged their insistence on the name, and there arose a disagreement. Family turmoil generates distress like little else can (which is why holiday gatherings can sometimes feel so demoralizing and worrisome). The squabbling seems to have continued even after Zechariah backed Elizabeth in her determination to use the name John; astonishment was not a sign that all was well. Then came Zechariah’s holy utterance (the Benedictus). The human voice speaking heaven’s language will turn wrangling into wonder.

What Will They Turn Out to Be?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day two)

All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. V. 66

How do you pray over your children, or others you may care deeply about?  You may not have prophetic vision, but how do you pray over them? Do you have hopes and dreams for their character, their careers, their families? Do you share those hopes with them? Zacharias’s canticle is an incredible roadmap for his son to follow. As lofty as it was, he likely didn’t have a clue about what his son would endure or how he would pave the way for Jesus. What Zacharias did know was that the Lord had given him a son, and it was his duty to turn him back over to the Lord, and to trust God to direct John’s path.

Pray over your loved ones. While you are at it, sing over them too. If you don’t have a word of prophecy, pray scripture. Pray for their hearts to turn early and often to repentance, that they would be tender to the Lord. Pray that their hearts would be open to being exactly who the Lord created them to be.

Monday Re:Vlog – 12/8/25

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Luke 1:57-80  in our Advent Re:Verse Series: “Luke: Long-Expected.”

To watch the Re:Vlog video, Click Here!

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Response

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day seven)

 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Luke 1:18

Same angel. Similar message. Very different responses. On paper, it almost looks the same. “How can this be? This is why it shouldn’t work.” What our english translation has trouble properly conveying is tone. Zacahrias was doubting the Lord’s ability and asked for God to prove it. Zacharias’ heart posture was “I don’t think this is possible.” For that, he was struck mute. Mary on the other hand, was filled with wonder and curiosity. She asked how, not if. Mary’s heart posture was “I don’t understand, but I trust God.” Mary’s response led to surrender.

When you hear the Lord call you to do something, how do you respond? Do you enter into skepticism and make excuses, or do you become curious and search His will? Do you ask for proof, or do you offer surrender? Your heart posture matters. Doubt closes doors while faith opens doors to the fullness of God’s plan. How will you respond today?

True Adam

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day six).

When Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will “come upon” her and that the power of the Most High will “overshadow” her, Luke is deliberately recalling the opening scene of Scripture. In Genesis 1, before anything is formed or filled, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters,” brooding, moving, preparing to bring order out of chaos and light out of darkness. That same Spirit now descends on Mary, not to establish Jesus’ divinity (for the Son is eternally divine), but to bring forth a new kind of humanity; humanity reborn, humanity remade.

In Jesus, God is beginning the new creation. He is the true Adam, fully human and fully divine, the one through whom God will restore what was lost. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters now brings life in Mary’s womb, announcing that the world’s renewal has begun.

Christmas is not just the story of a birth; it is the dawn of new creation. And the miracle is this: the same Spirit who brought forth Christ now brings new creation in us (John 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Generations

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day five).

When you look out across the room of gathered worshippers at FBCSA, do you notice the diversity?  Backgrounds. Gifts. Experiences. Education. And yes, age. It’s one of the characteristics of our church I love most – the generations coming together to worship, serve, learn, and share. Did you take note of this same thing happening in Luke 1? One couple nearer the end of their lives being used by God, while at the same time, another couple nearer the beginning of their lives also being used by God. So, maybe one of the insights we might consider this week is that no matter what (gifts, education, experiences, training, background, and yes even age), each one of us can be (prepared and expecting) used by God for His kingdom purposes. Isn’t that exciting? On Sunday, look around the room and be reminded that each one/everyone there (regardless of age and generation), have the capability and opportunity to serve, share, lead, minister, and join God in the work of growing His Kingdom.

Plans

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day four)

We tend to think of Mary as the quiet, faithful mother of the Lord. She was those things of course, but Mary is no two-dimensional character. Mary had plans for her life. She was engaged to be married, after all. She had hopes, dreams, and fears. She knew the pain of living under an oppressive government. She experienced the troubles of living near the bottom of the social ladder. I wonder what she had been thinking about just moments before the angel appeared to her.

When the angel spoke to her, the plans she had for her life shattered. No longer would she live without being associated with scandal. No longer would she live in obscurity. No longer could she doubt God’s presence with her.

Mary had built a strong faith despite her young age; and when her plans for her life were shattered by divine presence breaking into her heart and body, she replied, “May it be done.” Mary trusted God’s work in her and allowed him to build a new life for her in an instant.

When God breaks in and shatters our plans, how will we respond? May it be with the faith of Mary.

Alright

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day three)

[Mary] was very perplexed at [the angel’s] statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Of course Mary was disconcerted. In Mary’s world, no one used “highly favored” as a mere formality, a cliché. This was not “dearly beloved, we are gathered here” or “world’s best cup of coffee.” The angel referred to Mary as highly favored precisely because the God of heaven and earth felt deep approval towards her. Mary could sense that an experience of an otherworldly kind had enveloped her. She knew not what it meant, nor what was in store, but she discerned the profound presence of safety and goodwill around her. In other words, when the angel called her highly favored, she felt the high favor. She didn’t know what came next, but she understood that she was going to be alright because God favored her.

Favored One

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day two)

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” V. 28

 At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision. Daniel 9:23

The same angelic messenger that visited Mary had visited Daniel hundreds of years before with an incredibly similar salutation. To Mary the angel says “favored one” and to Daniel “you are highly esteemed.” Isn’t this an incredible picture of the cosmic awareness that Heaven has on our lives. It is understandable to get caught in the narrative that the world is big, there are billions of people, what do I matter, who will notice me? Heaven notices. You are walking this journey of faith with a multitude of the heavenly host standing at your side. The Lord chose Daniel and Mary for a grand purpose. You will not carry the savior of the world in your bosom, but you do have a purpose; and the Lord hears your pleas for help, for courage, for purpose. Even more than that, when you are faithful, when you are walking in step, you also have the voice of angels saying: way to go, favored one!

Monday Re:Vlog – 12/1/25

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:26-38 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Luke 1:26-38  in our Advent Re:Verse Series: “Luke: Long-Expected.”

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