Surrender to God’s Will

KEY VERSE: “Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the LORD; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” —Luke 1:38

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-42

VERSE 26 RELATES to the sixth month after Elizabeth ‘s conception, as seen in last week ‘ s lesson. In today’s reference, the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary reminds us of his prior visit to Zechariah with a message promising him a son to be named John.

The prophet, in Isaiah 7:14, had long ago declared God’s sign of his goodwill to Israel and to the house of David when he said, “A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” In fulfillment of that ancient prophecy, Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee named Nazareth.

There he approached Mary and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, New International Version) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name 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 the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”—Luke 1:20-33, NIV

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “ since I am a virgin? “ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.—Luke 1:34-38, NIV

Gabriel mentioned the experience of Elizabeth to inspire Mary with confidence, and to assure her that what was promised would be fulfilled. Mary truly is an inspiring example of faith. Having heard Gabriel’s wonderful though perplexing words, she then surrendered to the will of God with great enthusiasm. For Mary, these events were a direct experience of God’s miraculous power of creativity and faithfulness.

With little delay, Mary hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth. When she heard Mary’ s greeting, the unborn child stirred inside her, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!” (NIV) Mary said, “From this time all generations will pronounce me happy; for the Mighty One has done wonders for me: and holy is his name.”—vss. 48,49, WED

Mary abode with Elizabeth about three months and returned to her house. For us, Mary and her involvement in bringing forth God’s Son, the Savior of the world, has become a symbol of great faith in God. Mary also demonstrated her knowledge of the Scriptures which she may have heard sung in the synagogue from Psalms. In her song of praise her soul magnified the Lord. She quoted Psalm 34:2,3. Her expression of humility uses words from Psalm 138:6. Her song of exultation of the Lord has expressions which are found in Psalms 71:19; 126:3; 111:9; 103:17; 98:1; 118:15; 33:10; 113:6; 34:10; and 98:3.—Luke 1:49-54

| Home Page | Table of Contents |