Mary knew (1)

A young girl goes about her typical daily routines, obedient to her parents and preparing for her marriage to a carpenter. She doesn't know her routine is about to be interrupted in ways she never imagined possible.

 

“Greetings, favored one!”

 

Huh? Who are you? Why are you here? Did I eat some bad mushrooms?

 

“The Lord is with you.”

 

What? This guy –angel or not - must have turned down the wrong street. Surely he doesn't mean to speak with ME...

 

“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”

 

Ok, so you obviously know my name. Why are you here, exactly? What could possibly be important enough for you to come to me?

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Uh… let me get this straight. You are saying that I will give birth to THE descendant of David? Am I dreaming? Hold on... “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Oh, wow. Elizabeth's expecting? Wow. Wow. Oh. Wow. This is a lot to absorb. YHWH is sending our Messiah! He blessed Elizabeth in her old age! And now He’s chosen to bless me??? “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary knew her life had been changed.

Abba God, thank You for changing Mary’s life forever, for changing Elizabeth’s life, for changing my life. Like Mary, I don’t deserve to have your life-changing favor. You meet me in my routine when I don’t expect You to. You don’t come when I want, but You come when the timing is just right – not just for my benefit, but for others around me. You know how to plants seeds of Truth in my heart, changing the way I think and act. Abba, strengthen the Body of Christ that we would seek You first, bear with one another graciously, and meet needs around us. I can’t live richly unless You continue to change me. I’m so glad You do! In Jesus’ name…

This week's reflections are based on Luke 1:26-38, NASB (click here to read online).