The biggest miracle of Christmas is the birth of Jesus, the long-awaited coming of the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of humanity. But let’s pause to consider Mary, the mother of the miracle. It’s too easy to rush through this story in our eagerness to read about the baby's birth, visiting wise men, adoring shepherds, and the angel's; declarations.
She was a simple girl named Mary.
Without her obedience and willingness to fulfill God’s purpose and plan, I’m sure God would have used a different person, but he “found favor” with the young Jewish woman, Mary, and chose her, knowing her heart. Still, she had a choice whether to obey.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary, the angel told her, for you have found favor with God!” (Luke 1:30, NLT).
The God of the universe worked a miracle through a simple girl willing to obey God and his outrageous plan. That was a massive request for a young, unmarried woman. I suspect she was fearful and full of doubt. The angel’s appearance scared her, and she must have worried about how her parents, Joseph, her friends, and neighbors would react.
She had faith.
Mary had no formal education, pedigree, qualifications, status, or wealth. She risked losing everything she valued: her reputation, fiancé, family, friends, and neighbors, and having them replaced by a ruined life full of gossip, ridicule, and rejection.
Mary trusted God.
She could have refused or asked for a different set of circumstances. God didn’t force her to comply or demand her cooperation. Mary was willing to fulfill the prophecies of Scripture, not knowing what her future held. Did she understand she was an instrument for fulfilling prophecies?
She was willing.
God performed a supernatural miracle through a simple girl who was willing. She didn’t argue or negotiate; she said, “Yes.” She was willing to serve.
Although verse 29 says the angel’s announcement “confused and disturbed” her, verse 38 tells us she was trusting and obedient because she followed God’s will and submitted to his plan for her and future generations.
“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true’” (Luke 1:38, NLT).
I wish I could say I have that level of trust in God, but I must admit, some days, I don’t. I want to emulate Mary’s example of a faithful relationship with God, seeking the Holy Spirit to draw me closer to that type of understanding and trust with my Father in Heaven. Later, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth confirmed her trusting faith. And Mary responded in a song of praise to the Lord (see Luke 1:46-55).
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45, NLT).
As we approach Christmas, I hope we find moments of peace to contemplate Mary’s story. Let us ponder her example, and may we have the faith, confidence, and hope in God that she did. And when we trust and obey God, despite fear, uncertainty, and possible ridicule, by saying, “Yes, Lord,” like Mary, the rewards will be great.
Thanks to the faith of this simple, trusting girl, our hope and redemption were born with Jesus at Christmas, per God’s plan.
Originally published at www.facebook.com/thegirlreadyourbiblestudygroup
Comments