Seriously Mary...Did You Know? Part 4/4

We are now on the fourth and final week of our journey with Mary. Feel free to catch up by reading the previous three entries, Part 1,  Part 2 & Part 3. They are pretty quick reads.

Last week we were given the encouragement and reminder that we are not alone in the tasks that God has for us. He is with us, Father , Son and Spirit. That's good news.

This week we wrap up with verse 38.  Just as a reminder, let's re-read the entire passage.

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

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. 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. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. " ~ Luke 1:26-38

In verse 38, Mary's response to the angel sums up the question which I posed as the title of this series, the question of "Seriously, Mary, Did you know?"  Those 12 little words in her response "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." clearly convey that she got it. She, as much as humanly possible, grasped  the magnitude of what was going to be accomplished through her, a young unwed girl.

She heard the greeting. She asked the needed questions. She listened to the response and she believed. 

What an example to each of us when we are given a directive from the Lord.... that we would hear, ponder, listen and believe.  Sometimes we do one of these elements really well, but we falter in other areas. Some days we listen, but don't really believe the mission at hand. Or what about believing God will do a mighty work through us, but neglecting His directions, that can be just as detrimental.

Mary did all of these so well. Oh, that we would learn from her example.

I read this today from Oswald Chambers devotional My Utmost For His Highest.
“…I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ….” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself…” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ."

If we could imagine ourselves sitting with Mary, hanging out and asking her if she knew what an incredible son she would have, I think she would say this...... oh wait...SHE DID!

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.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.

And I believe that we, listening to Mary praise God, would say as Elizabeth said to her 
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”


Friends, Blessed are YOU when you believe that the Lord will do what He says. Blessed are YOU when you believe that the Lord will see you through and never leave you or forsake you. Blessed are YOU in your humble estate, who are ready to listen, obey and believe.

Be blessed friends. Be blessed!

I love you in the Lord. It has been a joy journeying with you over these past weeks. See ya next week!

Feel free to leave your thoughts and insights in the comment section.

Mia