Mary Understood the Assignment
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the spirit of joy and cheer that descends upon our world for this short time while we as Christians focus on the amazing gift of our Savior. I find myself focusing on how Christ is the Light of the World as I view twinkling Christmas lights on my street.
The Christmas story has a lot to teach us about faith, generosity, and love, but I am often struck by the great lesson of obedience we can learn from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her steadfastness in the face of God’s almost unfathomable assignment for her is a wonderful example to believers.
Luke 1:30-33 says, “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.’”
Can you imagine what that must have been like for Mary? Not only was she asked to carry a child as an unmarried but engaged woman, a major stigma and even a capital offense in her time punishable by stoning, but she was also just a teenager! Most scholars believe she was likely between 14 and 18 years old (a typical marrying age at that time). Mary could have told God that he was asking too much of her. Yet, she responded with obedience and humility toward her Heavenly Father.
In Luke 1:38 Mary says, “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
Mary’s assignment put her life at risk in more ways than one. She could have been stoned for adultery and having a child was quite dangerous in her time (especially in a stable)! While we will never be asked to complete such a monumental assignment as bringing the Savior of mankind into the world, we will all be asked to surrender to God in obedience at some point in our lives.
We can look to Mary as an example of godly obedience. Not only was she faithful to complete her task, she is credited with one of the most beautiful passages of praise recorded in Scripture, the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55.
Is there something God has placed on your heart this year that you have been avoiding? Can you honestly say you have been faithful in the assignments He has asked of you? As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us to help us be obedient. You may not really want to do what God is asking you to do, you may think it is too hard or you are not comfortable or you just don’t want to do it. But are you willing to be made willing? Remember, Jesus prayed three times to God the Father asking to remove the cup of suffering that Jesus was about to endure, but Jesus always concluded His prayer with “not My will, but Yours be done.” (Matthew 26:36-44). Just tell God that you are willing to be made willing to obey Him.
Philippians 4:13 says “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” If you ask God, He will not only give you the will, but He will also give you the way to do what He asks you to do! How amazing! As we near our celebration of Jesus’ birth, ask Him to help you be obedient to Him as his disciple. There is still time this year to simply ask God to help you do what He has been asking you to do for Him! Are you willing to be made willing?