What Would Mary Do?

Luke 1:26–38 NKJV

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?” 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.

Although the Bible doesn’t say this, I’m pretty willing to take a stance that Mary didn’t keep this whole interaction just between her and Joseph.

If it were me, I might talk about this at EVERY family party, etc.

Jesus must have heard the account of who the angel said He would be & Mary’s response to the Lord.

Mary imparted her encounters and her lifestyle to her son.

Mom’s/Parent’s what encounters and lifestyles with God are you imparting to your children?

Mary Believed the Word of the Lord:

Mary said, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary believed the messenger and submitted to the message.

Matthew 1:22–23 (NKJV)

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (XR Isaiah 7:14)

Like Mary did, Jesus believed the (written) word of God.

Luke 4:16–21 NKJV

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus learned who He was, and His identity was informed, by & through the written word of God.

In fancy theological language,

Jesus received the rhema of who He was through the logos - not independently of the logos.

Teach your children to believe every bit of what the Word of God says about them.

Mary Trusted God:

Belief ≠ Trust

Belief - acceptance of something as true

Trust - to have confidence in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something enough to act upon it even if it doesn’t look good

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Mary believed the messenger and the message, but trusted the character of the God of the Jews enough to avail herself to His will and wisdom.

Some amazing statements of trust in the Bible:

Job 13:15a (NKJV)

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Psalm 56:3 NKJV

3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Jesus trusted God with His life.

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:42 NKJV

42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Jesus trusted God and it took Him to the cross…and, through it, He saved the world!

Mary was brave:

Mary was clearly afraid enough that Gabriel had to reassure her to not be afraid - she stopped fearing as a result.

Truly knowing God removes fear and imparts boldness!

Daniel 11:32b (NKJV)

the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Even the disciples feared because they didn’t truly know God yet.

Mark 4:36–40 NKJV

36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Jesus had many opportunities to fear, but did not take them because He knew His Father!

Jesus chose trust over fear - just like His mom did.

Jesus was brave in the face of adversity.

We have no need for fear when we know the God who is with us!

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Just One Thing:

Mom’s (& Parents) you are God’s great demonstrator of how to believe, trust, and bravely follow God.

Show ‘em how it’s done!

Discussion Questions:

If cartoon physics suddenly replaced real physics, what are some things you would want to try?

What is best trait/example your mom passed along to you? Share a little.

Please read Luke 1:26-38 and share how you think you would handle a situation of similar magnitude from God.

What good example(s) do you give to those around you about how to follow God?