And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Here is the beginning of the Christmas story. The angel of the Lord speaks to a young virgin girl from a little unimpressive location and tells her she will conceive and give birth to the Son of God, The Messiah. As the angel tells Mary of God's intentions all of Heaven pauses awaiting her response. It is an amazing thing that we mortals often hold the key to unlocking immortality. Certainly, only God can work miracles but we must cooperate with an obedient will. If Mary had protested or allowed her understanding to be the lord of her life, what would have been the outcome? Only heaven knows. Everything about this conversation challenged Mary to her core. Myriads of thoughts had to have rushed through her mind about what people would think and the outcome of such circumstances. Certainly she knew the course of her life would be changed forever. Her answer is the true test of Lordship for us all. First, she address her identity. To ask first, "what will people think of me", is a clear declaration that what people think is a major part of personal identity. She declared her identity: "I am the servant of the Lord." She was a humble and obedient servant of God. That identity was a major part of why she had been chosen. Then came the real meat of her surrender. "Let it be to me according to your word." She was saying, I submit to what you have declared will happen to and through me. The resulting success, failure, shame or glory I lay down to simply obey the Lord. Then the Word says, "and the angel departed." The angel came representing the power and authority of God to fulfill the prophesies of old. Within the will of this young virgin was held the key to releasing the greatest power and gift the world will ever know. The Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us!
As we approach a new year, may we submit afresh to a new and deeper level of humble submission to the Word of God without reservation. New power and grace will be released from our unquestioning obedience.
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