And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (Luke 1:31 NAS95)
How does a fourteen year-old woman prepare herself to hear something like this? Reading through the Christmas story as done normally gives no time to ponder the state of affairs for Mary. Engaged, yes. Married, no. Virgin, still. Innocent describes her well, and her relationship with God appears to not only have been in tact, but thriving. Gabriel’s greeting indicates Mary found favor for God was with her. These would be strange statements in scripture if she hadn’t already been engaging in conversation with God - regularly. Maybe that’s why she could receive the words spoken. Was Mary afraid when she saw the angel, maybe? The story indicates her perplexity appeared as fear to Gabriel. Maybe it reflects only astonishment that such words would apply to her? Yet she stayed and listened because she knew her God could act like this from the stories with which she’d grown so familiar.
Her response to the fact she’d bear the Son of God reflects an uncanny humility. Sometimes I wonder did she really consider the implications. The Gospels remind us that people would perceive her through the lens of an adulterer and Jesus as the fruit. More than likely her heart held that awareness at some level, yet she replied, referring to herself, “the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” She revealed total trust, no matter the consequences. Her words show complete commitment to God and His plans - selfless. Mary reflects a deep trust of the Lord that bespeaks of a familiarity that could only flow from an existing active relationship with a God she knew as phenomenally good.
For Reflection:
“Who is like the LORD our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth?” (Psalms 113:5–6 NAS95)
- How easy or difficult is it for you to receive all that comes your way as a gift from God for His purposes?
- What is God saying to you about your relationship with Him and your openness to receive what He has?
