"Be It Unto Me"
Read Luke 1:26-38. Try to place yourself in the position of Mary. What can we learn about her character from these verses? What very difficult things was she told to believe?
Even in an ancient society, where the concept of the supernatural was much more readily accepted than it is in many of our modernistic, scientific cultures, the angel's words to Mary must have stretched her faith to the limits. First, she would be pregnant though still a virgin. Had that ever happened before in the history of the world? If that were not hard enough, her child would be the son of God. Her question, "How shall this be?" was natural and normal enough. But once the angel pointed her to the miracle of her cousin Elisabeth, who conceived in old age (Luke 1:5-25), and then gave her the powerful reassurance, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (vs. 37), Mary responded with an affirmation of faith and acceptance.
Read prayerfully and carefully her response to the angel: "Be it unto me, according to thy word" (vs. 38). What kind of attitude does this reveal? What kind of model of faith does Mary's example provide for us?
After centuries of theological discussion on the question of the Incarnation (the coming of Jesus in humanity), the subject remains an incredible mystery. Imagine how much this young woman did not understand about what was happening to her. And yet, even with all she did not know, she surrendered herself in faith to the Lord and wanted His will to be done.
As with Mary, we are asked to believe in things we do not fully understand. Compare your spirit to the spirit of faith Mary represented here. How open are you to trusting God on the things you just do not understand?
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