Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 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.”
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.”
Luke 1:28-33, 38
It was scandalous. An unmarried woman becoming pregnant in the small town of Nazareth. A town with a small population where everyone knew everyone. One person’s business was every person’s business. Nothing was hidden and Mary was sure to become an outcast in the town she called home. She would experience shame and ultimately disgrace her family. Many would call her a hypocrite because she claimed to love God but now seemed to have cheated on her future husband.
She was young and innocent with a significant spirit that was focused on serving God. So this event in her life should have caused her tremendous concern for what others would think. But it didn’t. Why? Because what happened to her was the most remarkable miracle to happen to anyone. Let’s take a peek into Mary’s encounter with the Gabriel.
Mary was troubled
Mary was perplexed and troubled with an angel showing up at her door. Can you imagine something like that happening at your house? She found favor with God. As a result of this angelic appearance, it is clear she was more than troubled. She was afraid. Imagine a young girl being approached by an angel. I suppose regardless of her age, it would be quite a scene.
Gabriel tried to comfort her by telling her not to be troubled. Not to be afraid. How would you respond? Mary seemed to be much more responsible and mature than I would have been. I suppose finding favor with God helped a little.
What would Gabriel say about you? Would you find favor with God? When He looks at your life would he find favor with you? I know that’s a piercing question, but one worth asking.
Mary was chosen
We never know what God has planned for us. Mary figured God had a wedding planned for her. But her life was about to change. Her plans greatly altered. What happens when God alters our plans? We may not see angels and bright lights, but when God changes our plans into His plans we have to trust Him. That’s what Mary did. She trusted God.
Gabriel didn’t ask Mary if it were fine if God used her to accomplish His purpose to send Jesus to the world. Mary had to trust Him and she knew the implications. He was going to be the Son of God and named Jesus. He was going to save people from their sins. Mary’s plate just became full. The implications were not just a short-term pregnancy and birth. The implications were for a lifetime.
Mary was grateful
Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord.” Total commitment and complete submissiveness in view of the impending scrutiny from her community and even possibly from Joseph, her husband to be.
I am always amazed at her response, bravery, determination, and faithfulness to serve the Lord. And it causes me to ask myself a difficult question.
Given similar circumstances, and with God using me to do something special for His purpose, would I risk the ridicule of my community to serve the Lord?
Would you?