“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
Luke 1:38
–
NOVEMBER 29, 2024
Mary’s response to the incredible message of the angel was to acknowledge herself as the Lord’s servant. Mary humbled herself in obedience to what God had announced through Gabriel. She did not have all the answers. In fact, she had only a few pieces of information! But she knew that God was with her, and that her son would be the Son of God, the Messiah, that He would rule like King David forever.
Perhaps one reason Mary was chosen by God was her unequivocal clarity about her identity: she was the Lord’s servant. She was willing to submit to God. A servant does the bidding of the master. Mary was ready to walk forward, even though she could not understand all that was being asked of her. Mary’s hope was in God. She was willing to risk everything for God’s redemptive story.
Mary’s life situation did not appear to have potential for big stories. She was a teenage girl engaged to a tradesman in a rural village. A carpenter could probably provide enough to eat but living conditions were simple and comforts sparse. She may well have had doubts about how prepared she was for childbirth and caring for an infant—and certainly if Joseph and her family abandoned her to do so alone. But Mary trusted the Lord. She accepted God’s call upon her life believing that He would provide in the midst of all the uncertainties of her future.
Am I the Lord’s servant? Are you? We may not be visited by an angel, but do we live in obedience to the commands we read in His word? Are we willing to move forward in faith despite not having all the answers to our questions? Do we live by sight, or do we live by faith? Do we have overwhelming confidence in the Lord?
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- When have you been faced with the choice of being Lord’s servant or remaining within your comfort zone?
- What specifically has the Lord asked you to do as His servant?
- How does our hope impact our response?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, November 29: Micah 4; Luke 13
- Saturday, November 30: Micah 5; Luke 14
- Sunday, December 1: Micah 6; Luke 15