Luke 1:34-38 - "How Can This Be"

Mary asked the obvious question, "How shall this be” (v. 34). This is a question for us personally! To have Christ formed within us is to be blessed above all. But how can this be? It is not in us to figure it out intellectually and humanly speaking it is impossible. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Jesus gives the answer in John 3! “You must be born again” for the Son of God to be formed in us! And this will only happen because we humble ourselves, recognizing our sinfulness, our helplessness, and God responds with His grace. “For by grace are you saved through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

“How shall this be?”  How does this miracle take place in Mary or in our lives? "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" (v. 35). To Mary's question, “How shall this be?” God's answer is "The Holy Spirit." How is His Son to be revealed in me? (Galatians 1:16). The Holy Spirit shall come upon you. It is not of man, not of the flesh, not of works, not by might or by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord. He who brooded over the creation of old must overshadow thee. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. Today, let us apply this great thought to our salvation, our sanctification, and our service for God.

 

First, God's way of salvation. How shall this be? Well, it must just come to you as this honor, this favor, this grace came to Mary. As the favor or grace of God. You cannot purchase it, and you never shall deserve it. God's answer to your question as to how it is to come into your heart and life is, "The Holy Spirit" (John 3:5).

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Like Mary, believe God's Word and rest.

 

Secondly, God's way of sanctification. This, like salvation, and the forming of the new nature within us, is all of Grace. It is the favor of God. It is God who worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. How shall this be? The Divine answer again is the same: "The Holy Spirit shall come unto you." The storms and trials of life may blow off many withered leaves from an outward character, but there is nothing like the rising of the new life for putting off the old. Be filled with the Spirit.

 

Thirdly, God's way of service. To all our questions as to how we shall be made fruitful in the work of the Lord He has but one answer: "The Holy Spirit." From Me, says the Lord, is your fruit found (John 15). How shall I glorify God in my body and spirit? The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. As vessels, we are to be filled with the Spirit and the knowledge of His will. As instruments, we are to be polished, and entirely yielded to His will. As agents, we act in His Name and for His sake. The disciples were told to “wait for the promise of the Father” which is the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8). When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they changed the world!

 

What should our response be? Mary said, “Let it be to me according to your word." (v. 38). This is very precious. Mary could not understand how the Son of God was to be formed in her, but she believed that it was His gracious will that it should be so. And she immediately yielded herself, spirit, soul, and body, that the will of God might be done in her and through her. “Let it be to me according to your word."  This brief, deep, self-surrendering, God-glorifying prayer breathes the secret of salvation, sanctification, and successful service. “Not My will, but Thine be done.”

 

Today we can take this as an example of how His gracious words may be received and fulfilled in us. “How can this be”? The Holy Spirit will come upon thee. Our response: “Let it be to me according to your word."

 

God bless!