Mary's surprising encounter with Gabriel teaches us much about God's surprises and how to respond to them

2. MARY’S (MIRIAM’S) SURPRISE! LUKE 1: 26-30
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel
Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to
be married to a man descended from David. His name was
Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel
greeted her:
“Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you”.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a
greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have
nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become
pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

3. “GOD HAS A SURPRISE FOR YOU”!
“God’s surprises” are a key part of the Christian experience.
Have you ever been “surprised by God” with an unexpected
blessing, assignment, relationship, or provision? Share one.
• What was the message to Mary (Miriam) that preceded Gabriel’s
announcement?
• How did Mary (Miriam) respond to God’s surprise?
• How do you respond to God’s surprises?
• What are some of the messages you get from encountering
God’s surprises?

4. LUKE 2: 33 - 35
He will be great,
be called ‘Son of the Highest.’
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever—
no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”
35 The angel answered,
The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
will be called Holy, Son of God.

5. “BUT HOW?”
God’s surprises are not only a matter of the “WOW!” factor
but also of the “HOW?” factor!
Mark 12: 11 (quoting Psalm 118) – “This is the Lord’s doing
and it is marvelous in our eyes!”
God’s surprises exceed natural expectations and surpass
natural limitations.
Bottom line: WE DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW, we
are simply invited to say “yes”!

6. THREE OUTSTANDING THINGS ABOUT THE
OBJECT OF MARY’S SURPRISE:
1. He will be divine
2. He will be royalty of David’s line
3. He will be conceived in Miriam’s womb by the Holy Spirit.
Her response?
“Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say”.
Then the angel left her.

7. TAKING MARY’S POSTURE
When surprised by the experience of
having your expectations and resources
overwhelmed by God’s invitation to
participate in something HE is doing,
what should our posture be?
“I am the Lord’s, ready to serve. Let it be
with me just as you say”.