In this study so far, we’ve seen how God has redeemed temporary circumstances that were sticky, desolate, and delicate. As we look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, we will see what redemption looks like when the temporary circumstances are ideal.
Several years ago I was studying different people God chose to use in the Bible. I realized obedience was costly. There is a strange contrast between wanting to be used by God and the willingness to actually do what he asks. I want to be available for God to use. I want him to trust me with his word, and it’s exciting when I feel the Lord gives me an “assignment”. However, the details in his beckoning and his sending can be scary-land. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son as worship. Noah built a big boat with no rain in sight. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions. The disciples left everything they knew to follow Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, the reward of obedience far outweighs its price. As I’ve said before, the cost of discipleship is temporary, but the rewards of discipleship are eternal. Jesus is better!
It was no different for Mary. In the book of Luke we read that she was virgin (pure), she was betrothed (faithful) to a God-fearing man, and she was favored with God. Life was good! How does God respond to this pure, faithful, favored woman? With a scandal! His invitation to her was to be a part of a big, juicy, divine scandal. It followed her for the rest of her life. She was a pregnant virgin; her son was controversial; her innocent son was beaten and crucified; and her dead son’s body disappeared. To top it off, two thousand years later, people are still talking about her son. Scandalous. Her temporary circumstances were near perfection. God’s redeeming process turned it all upside down and inside out.
Here are three ways God’s redemption took form in Mary’s life—in our lives.
Even Virgins Need to be Redeemed
The purest love story I have ever witnessed personally is that of my friend Emily. She has only dated, kissed, and known one man, her husband Joshua. She has never had her heart needlessly broken by other boys. She waited patiently for him with pure wisdom. Emily and Joshua’s wedding ceremony dripped with God’s presence and favor, and it now soaks their marriage. As I consider the possibility of having another husband someday, I pray I have the guts to choose this kind of purity, wisdom, and favor. With that being said, Emily and Joshua’s right choices do not excuse them from the need of redemption. Neither does Mary’s purity, faithfulness, and favor.
We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As Romans says, in his great immeasurable love for us, God has provided redemption from death. The wisest thing we can do is say “Yes!” to him. My best will never be good enough to save myself. What a relief, really. I’ve come to love that I am dependent on him. Oh, there is plenty of room for growth and every new season has a learning curve. But knowing his strength trumps my weakness is a joyful and restful hiding place.
Impossibly Possible
Mary’s incredible and almost unbelievable response to God’s invitation was, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This is what puts Mary in my “Hero” category along with some others like Abraham, Daniel, Ananias. I tend to find myself in the “I’ll get there eventually” category along with Jonah, Peter, Thomas. So, as I’ve meditated on Mary’s response, this question keeps popping up: What made her say “Yes!” to such an impossible invitation?. I see two things. She was a faithful servant of the Lord, which we will talk about in the next section. But, I also see how the presence of God changes everything.
The times in my life when I have been the bravest and the most peaceful have been a result of the presence of the Lord. There is something about his voice, traces of his movements, his face, his fragrance that cause me to say “Yes!” to things that I would naturally dismiss as impossible. Sure, it may take me a while to say “Yes!”—I ask a lot of questions—but there is a supernatural confidence that tags along with his presence. It makes the impossible possible (Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26). It makes me able to wait for him. It makes me able to speak up. It makes me able to move forward.
His presence is so vital to our everyday existence. We may have the guts to say “Yes!” in those seemingly rare, tangible moments of God’s nearness. But we have to keep getting in his presence after our highly charged “Yes!” so that we will keep saying “Yes!” in the days following. It won’t be an angelic visitation every time, but the Lord is always with us. He is always attentive to our cries. He is always wanting to engage with us. So when we forget that it’s possible, he will remind us of the promise. So when we’re not sure of what we are hearing, he will remind us of the sound of his voice. He will always meet us where we are.
Lifelong Commitment to Jesus
When Mary said “Let it be to me according to your word,” she committed to a lifelong invitation. Her faithfulness did not end after Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph were faithful to raise him in the fear of the Lord (Luke 2:22 and 41). Mary faithfully, as any proud mother would do, called out her son’s abilities at the wedding in Canaan (John 2). She was faithfully at Jesus’ feet when he was crucified (John 19:25). Can you even imagine? Mary was also counted among the people in Acts who devoted themselves to prayer after Jesus’ death (Acts 1:14). I pray I have that type of follow through — to daily take up my cross and follow Jesus.
Our earthly circumstances are temporary—even the ones God redeems. But when our lives are covered in Jesus’ blood, every “Yes!” uttered to the Lord has traces of eternity. Mary’s willingness to participate in God’s plan has affected my life. No, I am not in the temporary bloodline of Jesus. That ended with Jesus. But I am covered in his blood that was shed from the foundations of the earth. It was poured out on the cross. I am a child of God because of that blood. That can never be taken from me: it’s eternal.
I’m not trying to exalt Mary above her place. She was just a girl who said “Yes!” to the Lord. But her “Yes!” affects me just like my “Yes!” to the Lord affects those around me. It beckons the eternity written on their hearts. I can’t save them, but my “Yes!” to the Lord points them to the one who can—Jesus!
Brave Sparrow 
One thought
Comments are closed.