Reading the Word

Luke 1:26–38 (ESV) — 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed 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!” 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?” 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 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 of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Imagine being Mary. When Gabriel went to her and announced that she would have a child, she was young, unmarried, and vulnerable. In her world, Mary would be looked down on and labeled as an adulteress. This would have meant social hardship for her. Even so, her response to the announcement was “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Oh, that we might all have the heart and devotion of Mary. She was willing to go anywhere and do anything that God would ask of her. She knew that bringing the child Jesus into the world would be a tremendous difficulty for her. It would affect her reputation for her whole life. Even so, she was willing to do what God’s plans required. Are we? Are we willing to do what we have been called to? Are we wiling even if it will be difficult? May we trust in the plans of God and may we be servants of the Lord.

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