As we saw when the angel appeared to Zechariah, a visit from an angel is an awesome and overwhelming experience. From the angel Gabriel, Zechariah received the astonishing news that he would have a son and that his son would prepare the people for the arrival of the Lord.
Yet, Gabriel wasn’t done delivering astonishing news. He had another amazing message to deliver — this time to Mary, the young woman who would give birth to the Messiah. Let’s see how Mary responds to the news.
Read
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Reflect
Imagine being Mary and getting this message from an angel. Not only would was the presence of an angel overwhelming, but his message was equally astounding. Mary was not only standing face to face with one of the angelic host, but she was hearing extraordinary news. Even though she was a virgin, she would give birth to a child. This incredibly special child would be God’s Son.
What thoughts must have run through her mind? An unmarried, pregnant girl in the first century would be ostracized. She would bring shame to her family. She must have wondered what her parents would think. How will Joseph respond? Will anyone believe me when I tell them how I am with child? God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah, but it could cost her everything.
The Bible is full of seemingly impossible things that God calls us to do. We are to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, and show kindness to those our society considers outcasts. We are to turn from evil, even when our culture calls it good, and joyfully and generously give our time, money and talents to serve others. We are to seek unity in the body of Christ with all kinds of people, no matter how different we all are. How can we be like Mary and say, “I am the Lord’s servant”?
We trust God — not only because we know his way is best, but because we trust him to make the impossible possible.
Mary was not called to do the impossible, but to trust in God’s will. She was invited to be a part of God’s astonishing plan to save and redeem humanity, and she responded with humility, faith, joy and acceptance. “May your word be fulfilled.”
As part of her response to God’s call, Mary sings a song of praise to the Lord who has chosen her.
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name. (Luke 1:46–49)
Mary gives all the glory to God, for he is the one who has done great things. That should be our attitude as well. We worship the God of all power and love and respond with trust and obedience.
Spend some time in prayer praising God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and asking him to help you echo Mary’s response to his will for your life.
