The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” - Luke 1:35 (NIV)
Today’s verse is familiar to us: the angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she is God's chosen one to be the mother of Jesus. While the text makes clear how this is to come about—the working of the Holy Spirit—we may overlook the significance of the word “overshadow,” which is used in most Bible translations. The Greek term is ἐπισκιάζω (episkiazō), meaning "to overshadow" or "to envelop in a shadow," implying a divine or supernatural influence. This word is used in biblical contexts to signify God's presence and protection, as seen in the Old Testament when the cloud overshadowed the Tabernacle. By choosing this term, Luke connects the Annunciation to these earlier manifestations of God's glory, indicating that Mary's conception of Jesus is a divine act of creation.
For Mary, this overshadowing meant the assurance of God's protective presence and the Holy Spirit's miraculous work within her, providing comfort and strengthening her faith. For Jesus, it signifies His divine origin, highlighting that His birth was not through human means but a miraculous act of God, confirming Him as the Son of God. For us, "overshadow" signifies God's intimate involvement in our lives and His ability to bring forth new life and hope through the Holy Spirit. It assures us of His presence, guidance, and the miraculous possibilities in our own faith journey.
This term reminds us of the profound mystery and power of God's presence. Just as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, bringing forth Jesus, the same Spirit works in our lives, guiding, protecting, and creating anew.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the miraculous work of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as You overshadowed Mary with Your presence, we ask that You envelop us in Your love and guidance. Help us recognize Your divine influence in our daily walk and trust in the new life and hope You bring. Strengthen our faith as we journey with You, and may Your power be evident in all we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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