Joshua Boyd
Please turn to a standard passage during this Christmas season, the book of Luke.
Luke 1:11-13, 18-19
Compare this experience with that of Mary a few verses down.
Luke 1:26-37
There are only two angels in Scripture whose name we know. Gabriel here is one. Does anyone know the other? Michael. Both Gabriel and Michael have specific purposes: Gabriel gives extremely high priority messages. Michael is one of the lead or arch angels who leads battles against darkness. Each of the three books Michael is mentioned, he is fighting evil forces.
Gabriel is mentioned in two books, Daniel and Luke. In Daniel he is bringing the message of the timeline for the end of times. In Luke, he brings the message of John and the Messiah. These are arguably three of the most anticipated messages from the Lord and Gabriel was the sole angel to deliver them. He has a purpose.
Michael has a purpose.
Notice when Gabriel came to both Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, which we Jordon spoke about last week, Gabriel’s message from the Lord included the action to give the child a specific name. With John, his name means God is gracious. When Gabriel spoke to Mary and Joseph, he said to name the baby Jesus, God Saves.
What is in a name? Everything.
