What does "highly favored" in Luke 1:28 reveal about God's grace? Setting the Scene “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) The angel’s words to Mary launch the Christmas narrative, and every phrase is loaded with meaning. “Highly favored” (Greek: kecharitōmenē) appears only here and in Ephesians 1:6; it literally means “one who has been graced,” conveying an action God has already accomplished. Unpacking “Highly Favored” • The verb tense (perfect passive) tells us the favor is God’s completed work, not Mary’s achievement. • Grace (charis) is the root; Mary is the recipient, not the origin. • The accompanying promise, “The Lord is with you,” shows that grace brings God’s personal presence. Grace Highlighted in Mary’s Experience 1. Pure Initiative of God • Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” Both Noah and Mary receive undeserved favor initiated by God alone. 2. Unmerited & Undeserved • Romans 3:24: “and are justified freely by His grace.” Mary’s social obscurity underscores that grace ignores human rank. 3. Empowering for Divine Purpose • 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that… you will abound in every good work.” Grace equips Mary to bear the Messiah. 4. Accompanied by God’s Presence • Exodus 33:14: “My presence will go with you.” Wherever grace lands, God Himself accompanies. 5. Oriented to Christ • Ephesians 1:6: we are “freely given grace in the Beloved.” Mary’s favor climaxes in bringing the Beloved—Jesus—into the world. How God’s Grace Operates Today • Same Source: “From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16) • Same Method: “For by grace you are saved through faith… not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) • Same Purpose: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” (Ephesians 2:10) • Same Assurance of Presence: “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) Key Takeaways • “Highly favored” spotlights God’s sovereign, unearned grace. • Grace brings God’s nearness and equips for His mission. • The same grace extended to Mary is now offered to all who believe in Christ. |
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