A Virgin Conceives?

^{Luke 1 (NKJV)}

²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”²⁹ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” ³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

A virgin conceives...? This statement defies all known laws and the natural ways of doing things. It defies science, which is man’s way of searching out the unknown and seeking proof and the existence of events and happenings. It is one of the few miracles that happened once and will only happen once. It cannot be replicated or duplicated by any man, god, power or authority.

What does it mean? It means God is a God of the extra-ordinary. He is a God of the unusual; a God of signs and wonders - a God of no impossibilities. It means with God all things are possible. He is a God that is not bound by any nature and therefore has no limitation. He is beyond nature. He controls nature and the super-natures, both the visible and the invisibles are under His sphere, direction and control.

He sits atop of every situation and circumstance. He is always in charge. Nothing stops HIM from being God. He has answers to all problems, challenges and troubles facing mankind. Nothing could ever happen without His knowledge.

What then is the spiritual significance of a virgin conceives...?

It is God’s favour upon mankind. Jesus Christ’s conception in human form is God’s favour to humanity. An attempt by God to show us His nature. God proving to us that, really we are created in His image and likeness. It was God taking the baseless form of nature and subjecting Himself to the frailty of nature.

It signifies God translating from IMMORTAL to MORTAL-IMMORTAL. Mortal-immortal means God the Son sent to die and resurrect to save humanity. It means God’s Son had to die and live again as a condition for your salvation. Whoever believes in him will never die but will have eternal life.

It also signifies the sovereignty of God in choice making. He chooses who He wants to show favour to without seeking permission or approval from any power or authority. He is not bound to give reasons for any of His actions, that is because He is God. Hence, He shows His favour on whom He chooses. His choice and favour is not by qualification.

Mary was chosen because God chose her. She was not the only virgin in the land of Israel. She was also not the only woman practicing Judaism and exercising her belief in the Almighty God at that time in Israel. God chose to show favour on humanity through her. She was chosen as the womb and mother of salvation, as an honour to every woman. Her choice depicts the role women are to play in the latter times and in the end of ages. It shows women will play a greater role in soul-winning and soul-saving. It is also a reminder to every woman that her womb is an incubator of salvation. The process or journey of salvation of every soul begins from the womb.  A mother’s role in this regard is significant and monumental. It is a duty God has conferred upon them [mothers] which they must see to fulfilment. Merits and honour await every woman who takes this calling seriously.