The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” - Luke 1:28
Those opening words to Mary from the angel Gabriel were startling and unexpected. The Lord was letting her know that she was being given special privilege and grace for the purposes He had ordained for her. Perhaps also unexpected is the realization that this concept of being “highly favored” is only used one other time in the Scripture. Paul uses the same Greek word to tell the church in Ephesians 1:6 that all believers everywhere are also special recipients of His grace for the purposes He has for us! That means the Lord is with us right now, helping us to accomplish all that He intends!
