With the entrance of sin into the Garden of Eden, man was estranged from His Creator. Man was tainted with the curse of a sinful nature and this sinful nature required atonement. Mankind could not be good enough, talented enough, wise enough, wealthy enough, or favored enough to atone for himself. He needed a Savior. And God promised this Savior. His people cherished this Promise and passed it’s hope on through thousands of generations. This promised Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament: This is what was known about Him. He would be:
- Of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18)
- Of the line of Jacob (Numbers 24:17)
- Of the line of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1)
- Of the line of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6 , 2 Samuel 7:12-13)
- Of the tribe of Judah in the region of Ephrathah, in the town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
- And He would be born of a virgin
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
Can you imagine being taught these prophecies from long ago and being filled with hopeful anticipation of when these prophecies would come to pass? Could you imagine how surreal it must have seemed to Mary to be told that she would be the mother of this promised Messiah? It’s no wonder that she had questions and perhaps initial fears as all of this was revealed to her but ultimately she had a gracious, humble heart of acceptance and willingness to serve her God.
““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
God knew from the beginning that Mary would be a willing vessel and that she would trust him to be a faithful promise keeper. As Elizabeth said of Mary “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!””(Luke 1:45). Mary was an ordinary girl who believed in an extraordinary God. You and I are asked to be the same....ordinary people who faithfully trust in an extraordinary God. Just as God was with Mary, he promises to be with you too.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
And God asks us to trust His higher purposes even when we must personally endure sorrow and suffering. Sometimes that’s when we have to cling to His promises all the more. Mary was called “ blessed” and “favored of God” and yet her life was not easy. She gave birth in a stable, had to flee with her husband to hide the baby Jesus from His enemies. She had to hear the criticisms and hate of the people who rejected Jesus. Mary also had to see her son tortured and crucified. Simeon, recognizing the Christ child when his parents brought him to the temple gave Mary some foresight into this future dichotomy she would experience.
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”” Luke 2:30-35
I truly admire Mary and I hope that my heart can be as faithful to trust Him not only for the good things and the joyful blessings but when there is challenge and trial and sorrow too. I’m sure that as Mary pondered all that she was told and who her son was destined to be, she accepted that God’s plan for her son was necessary to redeem the world.
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Psalms 119:50