December 11, 2019
Mary's Obedient Response to God's Great Call
Luke 1:26-38
Alexandra Anderson
Central Truth
May we see Mary as an example of obedience to God, who is always with us and powerful enough to accomplish even what we see as impossible.
Key Verse | Luke 1:37-38
"For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38
Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed 1 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 2 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women! 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 3 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born 4 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant 5 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48 of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Dive Deeper | Luke 1:26-38
This passage is about the promised coming of Jesus Christ, but every time I read it, I am most struck by how obedient Mary is to this call from the Lord.
What is it that keeps us from being obedient? For me, it is usually fear. My natural inclination is to worry and to always want to know the plan, but sometimes God calls us to follow Him without revealing His full plan; and I can struggle to be obedient in those seemingly scary moments. But time and time again, God has shown Himself to be faithful and gracious to me.
At the start of this passage, we see that young Mary is "greatly troubled at [Gabriel's words]," but he reminds her that "the Lord is with [her]" and she should "not be afraid." (Luke 1:28-30) Mary is promised a son whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1:33), but as a virgin, this promise seems unlikely, confusing, and, I'm sure, fear-provoking.
In our weakness, in our fear, and in times when we see no solution, God in His power steps in. Mary's only response to this display of God's grace in her life is to humble herself in obedience to what God is calling her to. And what a marvelous thing He was calling her to! God was giving Mary the gift and task of bringing Jesus Christ—"the Son of the Most High"—into the world (Luke 1:32). Mary could trust in God's presence always being with her, God's power through the Holy Spirit, and God's promise to fulfill His purposes.
So when God calls me to be obedient and I am fearful, I can say, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)
And by the grace of God, I can faithfully walk in obedience as Mary did, saying, "I am the servant of the Lord" (Luke 1:38).
Discussion Questions
1. What keeps you from walking faithfully in obedience to God?
2. What is God asking you to be obedient in right now?
3. Where in your life have you seen God do the impossible?