Day 16 | Immaculate Conception

Read Luke 1:26-38

What do you think of when you think about Jesus’ birth? Do images of manger scenes, barn animals, and wise men come to mind? Sometimes we get so caught up in the actual delivery of Jesus that we overlook how it started: a virgin, one who could not have possibly had a child, conceived a child.

Mary isn’t the first woman in the Bible we’ve seen who shouldn’t have been able to have a child, only to then give birth. In the Old Testament, Sarah conceived Isaac even though she was older. Right before this passage in Luke, Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist, and she too was an older woman. But never before had a virgin, someone who had not “known a man,” conceived. It’s difficult to overstate the difference between these miracles. With Sarah and Elizabeth, God did something that shouldn’t have been able to happen, but it was still
possible. It’s hard to imagine an older woman giving birth, but not impossible. With Mary, God did what physically could not be done. According to every biological principle, Mary couldn’t be a mother. But not only would Mary become a mother, she would be the mother of the One Who would redeem humanity from all its sin and brokenness. She lacked what was necessary for this to happen, but this one thing she had: faith in God.

In your day-to-day life, how often have you thought, “But that can’t happen?” Has God ever called you to something for His kingdom, but you didn’t have the means to make it happen? It can feel discouraging, like a dream you can’t achieve. But if God has indeed called you to it, if it will glorify Him and advance His kingdom, then the One who created everything out of nothing will provide a way. His power is beyond what we can imagine, and more than enough to provide a means for His glory. We only need to say, “I am the Lord’s servant.” We need to have faith in His power and submission to His plan.

Pray for 10 minutes