Made for This Momentናሙና

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS

Do Not Be Afraid

WARM-UP

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”--Luke 1:30-31

ON THE PITCH

Can you pinpoint a moment when a challenge or opportunity was presented to you that would change your life forever? We can pinpoint this moment for Mary, mother of Jesus, in Luke 1:26-38. God sends an angel to tell Mary she will give birth to and raise Jesus, the Messiah.

If you look back on Mary’s life, from what we can find in Scripture, God had placed her in specific places to eventually carry Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. She lived in the town of Nazareth, the place Jesus was prophesied to grow up in (Isaiah 11:1). She was a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) but was engaged to a man named Joseph. She was a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16). But just because God had aligned all of these things doesn’t mean the task God had for Mary would be easy.

During this time in history, if a woman became pregnant before marriage, she would immediately be an outcast from the community, and her child would be known as ‘that kid’ for their entire lives. It would be the ultimate gossip in the community. Joseph, her fiancé, would have every right to leave her and maintain his godly reputation.

Mary’s response could’ve been, ‘Please choose someone else.’ But her response in Luke 1:38 is, “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.”

What is your response when you are faced with unexpected, life-changing moments?

Do you accept them and say ‘yes, Lord’ only if they are convenient or could benefit you? Or will you say yes to His assignment no matter how they impact your life?

EXTRA TIME

Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 6:8

PRAYER

Lord, I want to be a woman that says yes to You in every circumstance, no matter how it changes my life. Help me to say yes to You no matter what, just like Mary did. Calm any fears in me, and give me the courage to honor You.