I have loved studying the accounts of Mary and Joseph over the past two weeks.
Their names, so synonymous with Christmas, it’s easy to think they’re super-human or characters in a fable. Yet don’t forget, they were actual people with real lives. Ordinary people who happened to believe in an extraordinary God.
Over the next week, I’ll highlight scripture and a few short lessons. May it draw your heart ever closer to the real meaning of Christmas.
Luke 1:26-38, The Angel Visits Mary
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
Mary lived in Nazareth, far from the epicenter of commerce and culture for her day.
Mary was young, poor and female – characteristics that would make her seem unusable by God. But God chose Mary for one of the most important assignments He’s ever assigned to anyone. Gabriel shared the most glorious news in the history of the world not to a king or a college professor or to the super wealthy, but to a simple Galilean girl.
God looks at the heart, not outward appearances. 1 Sam. 16:7
With Mary’s heart, God found a heart that was soft and pliable. A heart that was tender and responsive toward Him and His Word. A heart that was eager to obey – no matter the cost. As a result, Mary found favor with God.
The Bible says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” (Isa. 66:2)
How do you respond to His Word? Do you make time to read it? Do you apply what you’ve read or forget what you’ve read?
Don’t allow the Bible to be a mere table ornament. Make a commitment to read it, internalize it and obey it each day. Like Mary, we too can find favor with God.
0 Comments