willing to believe - part 2
As we continue our study of Luke 1 we now look at how a teenage girl reacted to the news she received by the angel Gabriel.
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
Luke 1:26-34 (NKJV)
At first it seems like Mary is doubting like Zacharias did. But as you read on, there is no "punishment" like there was for Zacharias. Zacharias was mute until the birth of John. Mary in the other hand gets an explanation from Gabriel as to how what he said will be fulfilled.
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:35-38 (NKJV)
I believe the different treatment in this case, if you want to call it that, is due to who Mary is and who Zacharias is. Zacharias was an experienced priest, advanced in age. Mary is, as far as we can tell, a teenage girl. I also believe that Zacharias being mute added to the wonder regarding the birth of his son, John. Similar treatment of Mary would not have had the same effect.
But what I really want to focus on is how Mary, a young virgin, is willing to go along with God's plan. How many of us today are terrified that God might do something drastic in our lives if we let Him, and here we have a teenage girl, who is not married, willing to embark on a journey that would have a significant impact on her life but would ultimately divide history into two! Literally, life would not be the same after the birth of Jesus.
I want to have the faith and willingness that Mary had. Can you imagine what God would be able to do through us if we were more willing?
In these few verses in Luke we see God using both aged priests and young girls, to start a movement that would change the world. Do you believe that God wants to save those around you? Your neighbors, co-workers, classmates, family member and friends? Are you willing to allow God to use you to touch someone's life in a meaningful way?
Can God push you out of your comfort-zone for the salvation of someone else?
Are you willing to believe that God wants to use you?
Will you let Him?
