perplexed

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38, NRSV)

What would you do if an angel came and greeted you?

I know what I would probably do. I would probably run away screaming at the top of my lungs like a little girl…

It would scare me. I am not afraid to admit it. I think God believes it would scare people as well, since every time an angel appears to people, they usually say, “Do not be afraid.”

But Mary is perplexed. Which is confused, or in amazement. And she listens to all the angel has to say, and replies, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Most of us would have said, “Yea right! Who are you and where is the camera?” I would be wondering if I was dreaming or on some TV show.

But God sent His message and Mary responded. And that is what God wants from us. A response of, “Yes it seems a little far-fetched, but you are God so I will believe you and have it done as you say.”

If we could be amazed and wondering about God all the time, we might follow after Him and be blessed beyond our wildest imaginations!