In a tiny village called Nazareth, a young girl, maybe 13–15 years old, was busily going about her life. Like other young girls her age, she would start her day at sunrise, do household chores, learn from her mother, and dream about her own home someday. One day, like a bolt of lightning on a clear day, her life changed. Her name was Mary.
The angel Gabriel told her about the impending birth of Jesus, the Christ. Luke tells us about that event.
In case you don’t get to read that story today, let me summarize Luke 1:26-38 for you.
SUMMARY: Luke 1:26-38
In these verses, the angel Gabriel visits Mary, announcing that she will conceive a baby. She will call him Jesus. He will be the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit. Mary is puzzled as to how this could happen; after all, she is a virgin. Despite her initial surprise and uncertainty, Mary accepts this divine calling with humility.
FOCUS VERSE: Luke 1:38
For this devotional thought, we will focus on verse 38.
After the angel tells Mary that God has chosen her to have the Christ child. Her response was:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
From this great story, there are three pictures you must see:
- A Picture of a True Submission.
Mary’s response exemplifies complete submission to God’s will, despite the potential personal challenges and social stigma she might face with an out-of-marriage pregnancy. This is a lot to put on a young teenager, but she is ready for whatever God wills. She has a submissive heart. - A Picture of Real Faith
Her acceptance shows a profound faith, trusting in God’s plan even though she does not fully understand the implications.
Today, one of our favorite words is why. We want to know why we should do anything we are told to do. Mary knew nothing about what was about to happen, yet she didn’t say “why.” She says, “Yes.” - A Picture of Young Humility.
Mary refers to herself as the servant or handmaid of the Lord. She was on a path to do something that would be greater than any woman or man who had ever lived, yet to her, she was just a servant. People often see a young person and say, he or she is mature “for their age.” Mary was humble, mature, and a great servant for any age.
Lonnie Davis
P.S.
Tomorrow, Mary goes to live with her cousin, Elizabeth.
Event 2: Mary visits cousin Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-56