TEXT: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled”(Luke 1:38).
CONTEXT: Luke 1:26-38
What emotions young Mary must have been going through. A young girl going about her daily business, possibly thinking about her future with Joseph. Next minute, she is confronted by an angel, giving her life-changing news. Wonderful, yet humbling news!
God had chosen her to be a channel of blessing not only to her people but to the world. Through her, Jesus, the Saviour of the world, would be born.
We could well have understood if Mary had backed away from this great task. It was too difficult. The ramifications would be too great:
Her family would be shamed – she would possibly be cut off;
her husband-to-be would be disgraced;
she was barely out of her childhood herself – now she was being asked to bring a child into the world!
But, no. She doesn’t turn away from the call.
She says:
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”
In the midst of the confusion, the awe, the fear – Mary had an overwhelming sense that the Lord Whose servant she was; the Lord God, who had been faithful to her all along, was with her!
It’s His Word, on which she was going to stand. He said it. She believed it. That settled it!
Mary was called to be a channel of blessing by carrying the Saviour into this world. We too have been called to be channels of blessing. While Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, it’s also one of the loneliest and depressing times for many. Is Jesus calling you to “carry” Jesus into situations of pain, perplexity and problems this Christmas season? Will you run away from the task, or will your response be that of Mary’s: “I am the Lord’s servant…”
Pause and reflect:
· Can you think of someone that could do with your encouragement this Christmas?
PRAYER:
Father, there’s so many hurting all around
You’ve called me to ease their pain,
Help me to be willing to heed your call
To aid the weak, their strength to regain