Even good news can be a shock to the system.
Luke 1:26–33 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
This is one of the most powerful moments in human history. Gabriel says, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” This throws Mary for a loop. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. The Greek word that’s translated, “troubled,” (διεταράχθη, dietarachthay) can mean troubled or confused. Here it’s both, as she’s trying to figure out what it might mean, while Gabriel feels compelled to say, “Do not be afraid.”
Consider Mary’s emotional state for a moment. She’s not the least bit wealthy. She’s betrothed to a good man (and is surely excited about it), but it’s just going to be a typical small town wedding and marriage. Her life up to this point has been as plain as anything you can imagine. If her life had a color, it would be beige.
Then Gabriel shows up and the fireworks start. The word that’s translated as “favored” actually means “full of grace.” God is filling her with His grace. She’s confused and has no idea what to make of it.
So Gabriel fills in the astonishing details. She’s been chosen to bear the true king—the one who will rule forever. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The wait for the Messiah is over, and she’s been picked for a leading role in redemptive history.
I hope she was sitting down.
Good news can actually be hard on people. Notice how many of the things in the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale are positive events.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale
Somehow, they forgot to include “bearing the Messiah” on their list—not to mention “watching Him be crucified.” Even “seeing an angel” would be off the charts.
Our stress may not be like Mary’s, but it still counts. If someone you know gets hit with really big good news, be aware that they need friends almost as much as someone who got hit with really bad news.
In either case, we need to be there for them—and not just for a day or two either.
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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays’ by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community
The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.
