Today in my study of Christ, God reveled to me a woman of whom I knew, but really met her for the first time today.
She was an ordinary servant who knew the Old Testament Scriptures and daily made herself available to God. She was a joyous woman, a Nazarene, and was engaged to a carpenter. Because of her love for God and her availability, God sent his angel Gabriel to meet her one day and share the most exciting news a woman only dreams of. She would, as a virgin be filled with the Son of God, the Kings of Kings, the Great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End, the Lord of Lords, a Savior, a Lover, a Best Friend, our hope, our future, a man filled with love, compassion, mercy, and grace.
Wow, already I am intrigued, in awe, humbled and speechless of the heart of this Woman.
Imagine these next few moments with me, as Luke describes this action packed love story. (Luke 1:26-55)
Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" (What an amazing feeling to be favored by God.) Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Don't be frightened Mary," the angel told her, for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever, his Kingdom will never end! Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." (This baby, by the way Mary that you will carry will be HOLY) What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People use to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible to God." Mary responded,” I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. (Showing her obedience and love) May everything you have said come true," And then the angel left."
What a moment! This woman is favored, chosen by God to carry the most sacred human being in the world in her womb. This I remind you she was an ordinary woman who was obedient to God and made herself available!
So later on Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, listen to this conversation, it’s awesome.
"At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, (here it comes ladies) “You are blessed by God above ALL other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
“Mary responded,
"Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has no forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors-Abraham and his children to be merciful to them forever."
Did you know ladies that Mary was the only human to witness the birth and death of Jesus? She carried Him, saw Him come into the world as her son, and watched Him die as her Savior! That is the God we serve!! Oh, Lord we praise You for Your amazing detail!
Mary knew her Scripture, as should we. One of the most beautiful parts of this passage is the beautiful song of thankfulness, praise and honor Mary sang out to the Lord. I have not been able to stop thinking about Mary today, and what a blessing it was to get to know her this morning. The Lord can and will do the same thing through each of us who choose to believe in Him, serve Him, and make ourselves available to Him. That is so exciting to me! Are you available for the Lord to use?
Precious Jesus thank You for each precious woman reading this today, show each of them your amazing love for them, let them feel your presence today as You shape and mold them to be available for your service. Lord I pray that each woman would know who they are in You and that they would choose You today over the world. Thank You for Mary and her amazing story of love, commitment, devotion, obedience, and faithfulness to You. Lord help us to be Mary's. Amen.
