11.20.07
Mary, Mother of God
Let's begin our look at Mary's story with the gospel according to Luke, specifically Luke 1:26-38. Unlike the three women preceding Mary in the lineage of Christ, Mary is what you would expect to find: a good, clean, young woman who is obedient to the Lord. Mary doesn't have to demonstrate her good character and righteousness to us in her story because the angel Gabriel immediately proclaims it.
But like the other women, Mary finds herself in a situation in the need of redemption that only God can handle. Though Mary has committed no indiscretion, she is treated as though she had. For one, her betrothed has it in mind to divorce her (Matt 1:18-25). Scripture does not go into detail as to what she must have had to endure during this time, but it was certainly undeserved. We know that the community was not one to accept Mary's truth, as evidence by their hostility and disbelief later in Jesus' life. (Matt 13:53-58).
Fortunately, our God is a redeemer, a provider, and a planner. He again dispatches an angel to intervene and reassure Joseph that it is okay to continue with his promise to marry Mary. Joseph is obedient and they become husband and wife. God's plan ALWAYS involves REDEMPTION! I love that - God loves us so much, he's prepared for every case, for every outcome to catch us in his warm embrace.
What Mary Teaches
Ultimately her response is obviously a noble one. Who wouldn't, when confronted with such an opportunity/blessing/challenge from the Lord, want to respond with whatever you say - I'm 100% on board.
Do you think Mary was convinced of her own words at that point? Or was it the "right" answer? If she didn't believe it right at that moment, her actions certainly evidenced that she came to...do you think it matters? If the first step is in fear, or blind obedience and only the SMALLEST glimmer of trust...do you think it still counts?
Though Mary's reaction is pretty simple, I really like it: Despite not understanding, she does not disagree and say, no - it isn't so! Nor does she claim her own unworthiness (Moses), she doesn't ask for a sign or promise of proof (Zechariah), she doesn't scoff (Sarah)...she simply asks a question (and a fairly practical one to boot!) and then accepts the Lord's will for her life. Wow!
With God, All Things Are Possible
Previously Gabriel told Mary that her cousin was pregnant (who had been barren) and then follows this news with the proverb: All things are possible with God. In his speech it appears as though this statement is meant to be proof of the validity of Elizabeth's pregnancy...however, I think it's more than that: I think it is a word just for Mary to help carry her through the next few tumultuous months. To remind herself, YES! The angel told me and I believe it! With God all things are possible - this CAN be happening to me!!
Is there something in your life that you are afraid to give to God because you think he can't handle it? Have you let it become too big - even God cannot take care of it? Is there someone you know who you've written off as "unsavable"? Has your problem become "unfixable"? Is your life "unredeemable"? DON'T BELIEVE THE LIE!!
We all have things in our life that seem too big to tackle, to deeply rooted to pull out, too complicated to reconcile...but it's not true: with God all things are possible. I really believe that, women. I want you to take a moment to yourself and identify one of those "unfixables" in your own life. Write a key word on your prayer card and commit to praying over it this week. God can heal! God can save! God can redeem! But only if you let him.