December 16, 2010

Gabriel Speaks: Mary's Only Question


"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.
Luke 1:38

Experiencing Christmas at a heart level sometimes needs to be found by finding a different perspective.  Finding something new in a story we have heard hundreds of times can sometimes be difficulty, as our eyes and hearts skim over the familiar text.  It is when we read and ponder and study that we find something new and exciting waiting there for us. 

Mary was but a teenager when she was visited by the angel Gabriel with the news that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God.  Her only question:  "How can this be since I am a virgin?".  Her only question.

Can you pause with me for a moment?  If God were to send an angel to you right now with a mission for you to accomplish, would you have only one question?  Would you answer as Mary did saying, "I am the Lord's servant.  May it be to me as you have said."?

Not me!  I'd have a million questions and want to know every detail.  I am humbled and awed by Mary's complete calm and obedience.  How did this mature and faithful response come out of such a young woman?

She knew the scriptures and she knew her God.  In Luke 1:46-55, Mary's Magnificat is recorded, her praise and prayer to God.  Found within these 10 verses are 12 Old Testament scripture quotes and references.  Her obedience was second nature because she was rooted in scripture and she trusted the Most High God.

As we Unwrap Jesus this Christmas season, may we find the same courage and obedience that graced a young woman named Mary.  I pray we will dig deep into scripture to find and know our Savior Jesus.  And when He asks something of us, may our response be:

"Yes, I am the Lord's servant."




12 comments:

  1. I'm amazed at Mary's response as well. It certainly revealed her great trust and faith God. Hope you and your family enjoy a wonder Christmas filled with Christ's presence.

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  2. Mary was an exceptional young woman , Wonderful WFW!
    Merry Christmas !
    ~Myrna

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  3. I guess God knew what he was doing when he chose Mary! I would have had a million questions, too. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

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  4. Only one question--I had never zeroed in on that before. And the fact of how steeped in Scripture she was that her words came out filled with them--she was truly blessed among women, and left us an incredibly rich example to follow.

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  5. I too would have dozens of questions. I want to know all the details, all the possibilities, and all the contingency plans. She is a great example for me.

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  6. I'm thinking about this same scenario.. as you know..

    How wonderful to be in this space together! Great to jam together!

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  7. I would have been sure that the angel had come to the wrong women, there is no way i would have believed God would have chosen me for such an awesome task. Mary is an inspiration xx

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  8. She definitely was a special person. I know I'd ask a lot more questions! :) I do ask a lot more questions. Haha!

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  9. "Her obedience was second nature because she was rooted in scripture and she trusted the Most High God."

    Rooted and Trusted - Yes!

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  10. I often wonder if she thought of a kabillion questions 10 minutes later. She was an ordinary teen with an extraordinary response.

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  11. Wow, I never knew that the Magnificat was so steeped in scripture -- thank you for that significant piece of information. I need to go back and read it again -- more slowly this time, with the footnotes!

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  12. love that. i'm still on "pause" considering what i'd ask...thank you.

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