Our kids made our hearts skip a beat when they shared their news that they’re expecting and we’d be grandparents, but their “don’t tell anyone yet because we want to announce it” left us anxious to celebrate and worried that we’d let it slip all at once! So my husband and I talked to each other, giving voice to our excitement and concerns and pure joy!
Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have truly been overwhelmed with emotion by the end of Gabriel’s proclamation. Who could she tell? Her parents? Joseph? The angel, Gabriel, gave her the perfect confidante in Elisabeth. Her thoughts during that journey must have moved as quickly as her feet, stirring up nearly as much dust.
Her fright at the heavenly being’s appearance was surely eclipsed by wonder and joy! I feel certain she was anxiety ridden at the thought of sharing the news with Joseph, her betrothed. I’m married to a Joseph and every fiber of my being cringes at the thought of trying to explain this impossibility to my man! God knew one very important detail about Mary to entrust her with His one and only Son. God knew she trusted Him.
“Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.”
Luke 1:38 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.1.38.NLT
How did Mary go from being “confused and disturbed as she tried to think what the angel could mean,” (Luke 1:29) to a posture of such complete surrender with only one question?
“Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
Luke 1:34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.1.34.NLT
That’s the obvious first question but I wonder how many more she thought of later and wished she’d asked. Did she experience morning sickness? Did her eyes dart to the ground when the neighbors whispered rumors or did she hold her head high? Was she close to her mother? Did she have a sister she could confide in? We don’t know, but Mary believed the word of the Lord and for her, it was enough.
“For no word from God will ever fail…for nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (NIV/NASB)
Mary was raised on the promise of Messiah. She obviously knew God’s word to be familiar with His promise. She didn’t have the luxury of a written copy of the Bible highlighting all of the prophecies about a Savior, but I’m imagining “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart,” (Luke 2:19) in the same way she did when the shepherds left the night of Jesus’s birth.
Meditating on the word of God prepared her for what she could not possibly have seen coming. She knew how to praise God even in difficult situations. Mary’s Magnificat reveals her heart. Her song names the source of her strength.
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”
Luke 1:46-49 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.1.46-49.NLT
God alone knew her insecurities. Birthing the Savior of the world in a stable with only a carpenter as a midwife. Fleeing to Egypt in the middle of the night with the holy toddler. Returning home to Nazareth surrounded by rumors. Frantically searching Jerusalem when Jesus stayed behind in the temple. Feeling pride in her firstborn when Jesus turned water into wine and the sting of rejection when Jesus said, “Who is my mother?” (Mark 3:33) Standing at the foot of the cross watching her precious boy breathe His last. Mary had to trust God Almighty to endure these and many other things not recorded. She had other sons and daughters and she likely outlived Joseph. She was a strong woman but her strength was the power of her God on display.
Mary’s name is not listed in Hebrews 11, but she is surely one of those “too good for this world” mentioned there. I am blessed by her obedience. So are you.
“All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.”
Hebrews 11:39-40 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.11.39-40.NLT
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am the Lord’s servant. As I ponder Mary’s heart this Advent season, may Your Holy Spirit empower my own obedience and trust in Your Holy Word. Jesus prayed, “make them Holy by Your Truth- Your Word is Truth.” (John 17:17) Holiness is not self-righteousness, for You have said, “be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) Holiness is the righteousness of Christ covering me. Hear my song, Lord Jesus. Amen.
“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.61.10.NLT
A Fitting Reply 
This is a great reminder to be like Mary, obedient, the Lord’s servant, grateful.
Thank you for sharing.
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