"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38
When Gabriel approached Mary and told her that she would conceive and birth the "Son of the Most High" she didn't take the time to consider the price of obedience. She immediately submitted herself to God's will. Her response was one of complete surrender. Despite facing (humanly) impossible circumstances and risking complete social condemnation Mary embraced what God had for her.
For us today, surrendering our lives isn't simply something that we do when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Surrender requires that we approach each day with the faith and confidence that God's plans are better than our own, and embracing them no matter how costly or impossible they may seem.
Father help me to follow you with the same courage and faith that Mary had. I surrender my life to you today and resolve to follow you wherever you are lead me.
I'm praying for you.
Matt
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Luke 1
ReplyDelete(vs 34) Mary asked “How will this be” and did not get in trouble just as (vs 18) Zachariah asked “How can I be sure of this” and he did get in trouble. But God new her heart and Zachariah’s heart. She was just being inquisitive not unbelieving, but Zechariah asked unbelieving and then was made a mute until John was born. God wants us to trust HIM.....when he commands us to obey, we must obey, or we will have to pay the consequences.
(vs 37) “ For nothing is impossible with God.”...... We have to believe that and trust it.
God is amazing and continues to amaze me each and every day. I pray He amazes you as well. Dig into his word, it will teach you and grow you.
Luke is motivated to give an “orderly account” of Jesus’ birth and ministry. He continues the story in the book of Acts. Being a physician we would expect the detailed look at the birth of Jesus and His upbringing. Luke writes as a historian. He wants the story to illuminate the love of God for His creation amidst the tragedy of the human condition. In 80 verses, Luke presents the historical foundation for the greatest story ever told. Fourteen people are named and one angel: Theophilus, a Roman friend; Herod, the wicked and jealous king; Zechariah, a faithful priest of the division of Abijah; Elizabeth, his wife and decedent of Aaron; Elijah, the mighty Prophet of God; Gabriel, the angel who stands in the presence of God; Mary, a virgin, highly favored by God and promised to be the wife of Joseph, a carpenter; David and Jacob, the chosen line of God’s people and His promise; Abraham, father of the Jewish people; John, the Baptist, preparer of the way for Jesus, the Son of God. Each name could be is a study in themselves. Prayers were answered and a future predicted by angels, messengers from God. Some of the startling words muster up unbelief and signs, other words are met with an indescribable and simple faith. I can imagine Luke writing words so amazing that all his training would not have prepared him to even entertain without his complete faith in God. The angel’s message to Mary underlines the greater message, nothing is impossible with God. What complete surrender is seen in Mary. She can not understand all that is told to her but she is without hesitation committed to be God’s servant. The Holy Spirit fills those who have been chosen to carry out God’s purpose. The people rejoice with wonderment and excitement about what this could mean. Mary and Zechariah break out in spontaneous praise for the God who has visited them.
ReplyDeleteReflective Question ~ Can you imagine receiving a parchment with the words on them?