26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed[b] 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 favoured one, the Lord is with you!”[c] 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 favour 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 for ever, 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?”[d]
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[e] 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[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Let It Be
Let it be to me according to your word. These were Mary’s words upon hearing that she would lose her social status and be publicly ostracized. Today being an unwed mother means much less than it did then. Virginity was held with high regard, and so a righteous young woman like Mary is going to watch all that status and respect evaporate. However, her focus was not on herself but how she would be of service to God. She had healthy questions, but she knew her life’s meaning was to be a servant of God.
I am wanting to live out a Faith First February. Many things can seem like they should come first in our lives. Subtly, we often put ourselves first even when appearing to be caring and philanthropic. Mary appeared impulsive and impure, but in reality she was putting her faith first. Some people put good things before God. It is good to serve family and friends. However, the order should be faith, then family, then friends. Mary’s family would not be impressed with her pregnancy, her friends might even desert her. Some people put rest and relaxation at the top of the list, but the things we do when we rest and relax can become addictive and we cease to be who God wants us to be. Like Mary we need to listen to God and then respond, “Behold I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Prayer
Behold I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
Questions
- Who speaks to Mary and what do they say?
- How does Mary respond?
- What does Mary sacrifice in order to be God’s servant?
- How has God equipped you for service?
- How do you respond to God on a daily basis?
Plymothian 