December 22 I Tuesday

Micah 6-7

Revelation 13

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” —Luke 1:38

What do we do if we are a teenager in a small town and just heard unbelievable news about our future? We would probably post it on Facebook, make a tweet on Twitter or upload a video on TikTok. But during the time of the New Testament, there was no social media to make this news trend. The angel Gabriel told Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus….Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month” 
(Luke 1:31, 36). News of Mary’s pregnancy was shocking, but news of Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, expecting was equally surprising. Mary quickly hurried to the hilly country of Judea to visit Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Mary must have found comfort talking with Elizabeth about the miracle that had taken place in her own life because Elizabeth was also experiencing a miracle from God. They were able to encourage one another and marvel at what God was doing, and how their lives were intertwined with His plans. Mary probably stayed long enough to see John the Baptist born, witnessing Zechariah, who could not speak for months because of his unbelief, finally praise God for His plan of salvation.

When Mary returned to Nazareth, she was three months pregnant. How did Joseph react when he discovered the virgin he was pledged to marry was with child after a recent trip to another town in Judea? This took place during a time when society valued purity above all things. Mary’s disgrace became her family’s disgrace.

We may be obedient to what God wants, to His plans for our lives, and it can result in our reputation being destroyed amongst people. Some of us have probably made a decision to enter into a relationship with Christ, which created all kinds of discord within our family and friends. We may be doing exactly what God wants us to do and our reputation with others is completely dragged through the mud. For Mary, her obedience resulted in her being rejected by her very own husband, as Joseph was thinking of quietly divorcing Mary.

Did Mary consider the cost of her obedience when she uttered these words to the angel Gabriel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” 
(Luke 1:38)? Did she know that her willingness for God’s will to be done would put her in a dilemma? May we be encouraged by Mary’s courage to be obedient to God’s purpose for her life, even at the cost of her own plans.

Prayer: Sovereign God, I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus. Like Mary, help me to courageously surrender my life to You. Thank You, God.