God Speaks to the Heart of Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Mary’s story is the contrast to Zechariah, though also includes many parallels. They both begin with admonishments to not be afraid and both include announcements of miraculous births. Both also are told to remarkable followers of God. However, it is how they receive the news in their hearts that is different.

I have not considered much of Mary, other than some musings over a year ago about how challenging it must have been to tell her parents of this pregnancy and the truth of the child’s fatherhood. We are all familiar with the sting of unwed pregnancy. However, the Jewish tradition of betrothal was lengthy. This must have been early in the minimum year-long engagement, since Mary doesn’t understand how it will be that she becomes pregnant. This too because the engaged couple was never left alone when they met, however frequently that may have been.

Pattern of spiritual life in God

What I have wondered over in my mind is how Mary responds. We know she is a young girl and are often (at least I am) amazed at her humble faithful response to the announcement. It hadn’t occurred to me that Mary was continuing in her walk, following the pattern of submission and worship to the Lord in this scene. I just never really considered the life of the girl, especially the spiritual and prayer life of young Mary. Mary must have grown up with God as her number one priority in order to respond in such a way. Yes, she too was afraid at seeing such an apparition, I think angels in their full presence, having just come from the throne room of God, are likely reflecting His glory and must be unlike anything we have ever seen. We can be afraid, but not let it take over our mind and actions. She doesn’t flee from what frightens her.

Life with and in God

Isn’t a strong spiritual and prayer life what it takes to respond in faith and not disbelief? Zechariah perhaps had grown stagnant, despite continuing to believe in God and carry out his life in faith. But Mary shows us the vibrancy of renewed life in Him. Mary shows us her trust in God, which we know is built over time. Yet I hadn’t considered that this trust building over time meant that Mary was devoted and already ‘sold-out for God.’ She fully trusted the Lord’s plan and the messenger because of her personal experience with God, surrendering over time. Mary shows us one of the mountaintop experiences possible when we surrender our lives and fully for Christ. Each of us has the opportunity too to hear from God and follow His plan with faith and in full surrender. Mary’s response was ‘how will this happen’ as opposed to Zechariah’s ‘how could it be’. Subtle differences, but these phrases illustrate the difference between embracing the power and possibility found in God or letting disbelief and God’s timing lead us into disbelief.

Pattern of Christ in our hearts carries us through

Mary is also blessed with incredible knowledge of who this child is and will become. It doesn’t seem that she understands everything fully, but what I see is the submission in being a servant of the Lord and accepting that He will take care of her and make things happen as announced. She must have been stunned, but the pattern of her heart continued to carry through and submitted as it was trained. I’ve got work to do to form such a pattern! Releasing the power of Christ in us will be the reward for those of us who trust and surrender to God as Mary did, no matter the outrageousness of the situation.

Let me know in comments if you were always amazed too at Mary’s response to the angel. Had you considered this scene only or had you already thought of her young life as devoted to God?