When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible for God.” Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38, CEB)
Every time I read this story I have the same reaction. Yeah right!
Mary, an unwed young maiden, gets a visit from an angel who says he will give birth to a son who will sit on David’s throne and his kingdom will never end, asks how this will happen, because she has never had sex, and after the explanation that the Holy Spirit will make it happen she responds, ok let it be to me as you have said.
Seriously? No, I don’t think you have the right woman, or maybe someone else would be a better fit, or there is no way that I am doing that? Mary just says ok, let’s do this.
I want to be like Mary and be the servant of the Lord and follow without question.
Can we be like Mary?
Loving People. Loving God.