The Luke Project Vol 1- The Gospel in SongSýnishorn

May it Be Done To Me 1:26-38

What will people think of me if I do this? Will they think less of me? Will they make fun of me? Will this ruin my good name? Will my actions make others look bad too?

Has God ever asked you to do something that made people question your integrity? What about put your life at risk? What about get you shunned from your family? If we’re honest, probably not. Yet think about this young teenage girl, Mary. She’s kept herself sexually pure and is engaged to a man named Joseph. We quickly learn, she’s about to risk it all.

Gabriel visits Mary and greets her as “favored one.” Mary, being a humble girl, is confused by such a greeting. She must have been thinking, “Me? Favored one? I’m a poor girl from Nazareth. What’s so special about me?” Gabriel goes on to explain, “You have found favor with God.” He tells Mary she will become pregnant and bear a son, Jesus. Gabriel explains Jesus will be the Son of God and God will give him the throne of his father David. This fulfills the promise of the Messiah coming through David’s bloodline. (2 Samuel 7:16) 

Mary probably knew scripture well, based on her song of praise on Day 5. She was expecting a Messiah along with the rest of God’s people. This was becoming more clear to her, except one thing. She asks Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” This is a valid question considering this would be the one and only virgin conception. Gabriel explains, the Holy Spirit and God’s power will “overshadow you” and Jesus will be called the Son of God. To clarify God’s power even more, Gabriel reveals that Mary’s barren relative, Elizabeth, was already 6 months pregnant! The angel drives it home with “nothing will be impossible with God.” 

At this point, how would you respond to Gabriel? I know I would probably try to argue. “You must have me confused with someone else. I’m only a young girl! What will people say about me? What will people do to me!? Joseph will call off the wedding! I will be stoned to death!” I would make it all about me.

But what does Mary say next? “Behold the bondslave of the Lord.” She’s already humbling herself at this point to serve God. She says, “may it be done to me according to your word.” What!? No worries about herself? I think Mary must have understood the immense weight of what the angel was telling her. She must have understood God had greater plans for her life than she did. He was calling her to be the mother to the Messiah! She was willing to put herself aside and serve her mighty God!!

We are able to follow Mary’s example today. What is God calling you to do? What things can we lay aside today to serve our mighty God?