“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
The phrase “found favor with God” indicates Mary, like all other people, was a blessed recipient of God’s grace, not a bestower of it. She had a special role, just as John the Baptist had a special role. She was simply a favored one.
The word “favor” means approval or affection, and is a common word used in the writings of Solomon, especially Proverbs.
For the Israelites, a name held who or what a person was. Naming someone expressed ownership or relationship. A name equaled one’s reputation.
The descriptive name “Most High” is used four times in Genesis and about 40 times elsewhere in Scripture. God is so far above us we cannot begin to comprehend Him. “Lord God” is a name where generally the Old Testament authors used one or the other to reference God, but 385 times they are used in combination, perhaps to add emphasis such as “Yahweh God”.
“The throne of His father David … He will reign … forever” refers to the Davidic covenant, wherein God promised the Messiah would descend from David and rule eternally.
God’s blessings on your day…