In verse 34, Mary is quite naturally puzzled about all these things, not a puzzlement that stems from disbelief, but a puzzlement concerning how all of this was going to take place given her "physical situation". There can be no misinterpreting this verse. If we do not understand this to be speaking of physical virginity, then the entire circumstances of these verses Falls apart. Mary must have been a physical virgin or the entire set of circumstances ends the entire discussion here. The physical, real virginity of Mary is essential on many levels. We have discussed the need for the virginity of Mary numerous times in sermons in church, Thus we'll not discuss it again here.
In verse 35 the explanation from Gabriel to Mary's question emphasizes the supernatural in the conception of the child. It completely and satisfactorily answers Mary’s question. "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee". The nature of the explanation demonstrates for us how different her question was than that of Zacharias. It him was a question of unbelief. For him he and his wife were old, and such a thing does not happen to old people. For her, she just could not understand how it could happen and desire to know how it would be.
In verse 36 and 37 the angel gives Mary support for his statements. What God does can be adequately supported. Mary already believes but God encourages the faith of those who believe. He does not ask them to simply believe without evidence. He tells Mary, in verse 36, of her cousin Elizabeth. She "has also conceived a son in her old age". Gabriel goes on and tells her that this "is this six month with her, who was called barren". Of course this is done to encourage Mary faith. This is done to give her an example that what is humanly impossible is possible with God. It has in fact happened, the impossible has occurred with Mary’s close relative, Elizabeth, in spite of her age and her lengthy barrenness, she has conceived a child. In verse 37 Gabriel goes on and he uses that famous phrase "with God nothing shall be impossible". That's a phrase we all fall remember every day!
Given the fact that Mary is a believer, a godly believer, and a very very godly believer at that!; What more could Mary do but submit to the message that Gabriel has delivered. Even though the message is, quite frankly, unbelievable to human rationale, Mary still submits. In verse 38 she says "behold the handmaiden of the Lord". Her submission is first seen in her submitting to the lowly position of the servant, a slave. If you want high position before the Lord your must bow before Him first of all. If you do not you will not serve well!
Note also the plea in that submission "be it unto me according to Thy word. The word God will be her guide. She will have the course of her life guided and directed by the Word, by the revelation of God. That is certainly a pattern that should be echoed and every one of our lives.
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