“And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of [Love]; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.” Luke 1:19 KJV
We continue reading God as Love in the Scriptures, looking specifically now at the stories of the birth of Jesus. Yesterday, we paused at Zachariah and Elizabeth, who were righteous before Love, and obeyed all the commandments and ordinances.
Today we take a look at the words of Gabriel to Zachariah and to Mary. In verse 19, He explains to Zachariah who he is, where he’s from, and why he’s come. Gabriel stands in the presence of Love. Think about that! Love as a person with presence! Did you just get chills like I did?
And more than that, Gabriel can stand in that presence, in the eternal weight of Love’s unapproachable light! (2 Cor 4:17; 1 Tim 6:16) Love is so thick and strong it is too heavy for humans to approach in our current state. This explains why Love sends messengers: prophets, Gabriel, and now Jesus. Look again.
In verse 26, Gabriel is sent from Love to speak to a virgin, who has found favor with Love (v30), and will bear a Son who will be called the Son of Love (v35). Even her cousin Elizabeth will soon have a son in her old age, because with Love nothing is impossible (v37). While Love is heavy and too much for us to come near, He looks at us with favor, sends us messengers and witnesses of that favor, and sends Love in a form that is bearable to us, so we might receive Him and bear witness to others.
Oh Love, what Love! What power You are and grace You show! Too much for words! Thank you for being Yourself with us, among us, for us. Let us witness your Love growing in our lives through the power of your Holy Spirit, and let us share Your Love with the world.
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