Luke 1:34-38
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!”
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you think Elizabeth and Zachariah were surprised to learn that “they were pregnant” in their advanced years…imagine how little Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel visited her with news that SHE was going to deliver a baby! Historians believe Mary could have been as young as twelve or thirteen. She lived with her parents, who are not mentioned by name in the Bible. Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth.
I know we live in a very different time. But for the life of me, I cannot wrap my brain around an angel appearing to a teenage girl – even one who was engaged to be married – and telling her, “You are blessed…and even though you are a virgin, you are pregnant with a son.” I most certainly cannot fathom that same angel telling this girl that the baby would be the holy Son of God! I picture her initial reaction being one of fear…followed by total shock and disbelief…and then maybe even more fear and a hefty dose of embarrassment or shame! How would she ever explain this to her parents…much less Joseph? You can “do the math” and figure out pretty quickly what they would all assume.
Now picture this happening in a very small town…where reputation was EVERYTHING…especially to a young carpenter trying to establish himself in business. In a split second, Mary must have felt like her life was over – and just beginning at the same time. So her reaction as recorded in the Gospels moves me greatly. Some might say, “She was so young and naïve…her response was that of a gullible little girl.” But others will recognize the depth of faith and devotion to God that Mary’s reaction contained. In that instant, Mary recognized the hand of God upon her life. And when He spoke…she listened – and humbly obeyed.
Can we say the same about our own relationship with God? We have all entertained “angels unaware” at some point in our lives. The hand of God has touched us…maybe even rescued us from some trouble - or even a disaster. We have heard God call to us in some fashion – maybe not as boldly as the form of an angel named Gabriel who appeared in a bright light – but He has spoken to us. How have we responded? Are we so bold – and childlike – in our faith that we readily answer, “I am the Lord’s servant!” and accept what God asks of us?
Isn’t it time we took a second look at the courage and faithfulness of Mary and incorporated more of it into our own lives? If God can entrust a teenage girl with the delivery and motherhood of the Savior of the World…what might He be calling us to do? Will we be ready, willing and able to accept His assignment(s)? Don’t you think we should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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