“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. Luke 1:38a
Oh Mary…the chosen one. Her story is remarkable and one I’m fascinated with this Christmas season. I can’t quit thinking of Luke 1:38, her response to Gabriel, the angel who informed her that she would carry Jesus, the One and Only. It’s a response of faith, loyalty, humility and obedience. Wow. I’ve put myself in her shoes and wondered what my own reaction would have been.
I’ve read that Mary, engaged to Joseph, was possibly around the age of 13 or 14 when she gave birth to Jesus (in that culture, after the onset of adolescence, a thirteen or fourteen year old was commonly preparing for marriage). She was a child having a baby, but not just any baby- the One who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace as told by the prophet Isaiah (9:6b) in the Old Testament (the song Mary Did you Know? comes to mind here).
When I think of Mary’s age and her response of faith I am reminded of Matthew 18:4, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” The Bible tells us often to have child-like faith; it’s a faith that is humbly surrendered to and dependent on God, a faith that is unwavering, full of awe and wonder with complete trust and hope in God. I think it’s fair to say this ordinary girl from Nazareth had amazing child-like faith.
As I examine my own faith, I am made fully aware of areas that have become a little hardened over the years, areas where my total trust in and obedience to Him waivers. What about you? Are there areas you aren’t fully trusting or surrendering to the Lord? As we pray and ask God to shine His light on these areas in our lives, hearts, souls and minds, may we remember Mary’s response, I am the Lord’s servant.
Lord, we thank you for Mary and her eager obedience and surrender to You. For the amazing example of child-like faith she had. May it remind us to listen and obey You and to never stop strengthening and growing our faith. Give us humble faith, Lord. Just as you chose Mary to carry out your divine plan, you have chosen each one of us to do the same but in different ways. May we return to you as children fully in awe of who you are and remember what you have done in our lives as well as other’s. Return to us the joy of our salvation, Lord. We are your servants, here for You. We love you we praise you, Amen.
It is the role of faith not to question but to simply obey. A.B. Simpson
Thank you Sarah. Can you imagine us having a baby that young? Well I was still playing with baby dolls at 13 though😐
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