Know the Joy

Mary… Did you REALLY know?

Read Luke 1:30-37 and reflect silently on what Mary was being asked to do. 1) What are some of the mixed emotions you can imagine Mary having? What feelings ultimately take priority? 2) How do we see hints of assurance and prophecy popping up in Gabriel’s proclamation? 3) How does seeing Mary’s willingness to be used relate to what God sometimes calls us to do?

I saw a friend post recently about the song “Mary Did You Know?” He said the song was a bit silly because “of course Mary knew”… but WHAT did she know?

Luke 1:30–37 CSB

30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Mary knows...

She will have a son through miraculous means

Son will be given “the throne of David”

His kingdom will have no end

Nothing is impossible with God —> Perhaps something for “all of us”?

The angel directly implicates Isaiah 7:13-14

Isaiah 7:13–14 CSB

13 Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God? 14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

So what DID Mary know?

UNSATISFYING ANSWER: She knew what she knew, and she didn’t know what she didn’t know.

FOR US:, IT’S THE SAME: We know what we know, and we don’t know what we don’t know.

THE DIFFERENCE: Mary’s response (Luke 1:38) is “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.”

Are we comfortable with WHAT WE KNOW?

Read Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving in Luke 1:46-55 and silently reflect for a moment on the parts of God that are included in her praise. 1) How do we see Mary appeal to God’s control over her situation? 2) How do we see Mary appeal to God’s timelessness and control over something bigger than “right this minute”? 3) How do we see Mary appeal to God’s covenant; the idea that God has a master plan? 4) How do we see ourselves struggle to remember all three of these things when we are faced with tough times or stress?

Mary was content knowing she can’t know everything about what God was doing. A prayer she gives after meeting her relative, Elizabeth, reveals her heart.

Luke 1:46–55 CSB

46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.

Observation 1: She recognizes God’s dominion over her life… Verse 49 says, “Because the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

Observation 2: She recognizes the timeless nature of God’s control… Verse 50 says His mercy is from “generation to generation”.

Observation 3: She recognizes the promise of the covenant; Jesus’ divine purpose… Verses 54-55 says, “He has helped his servant Israel, remember his mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Considering Mary’s prayer, we see traits we can all apply to our lives

Being more like Mary...

MARY LESSON 1: Recognize God’s power over man’s control:

Paul writes about the importance of prioritizing God’s power over our own when He talks to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 CSB

4 My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.

If Paul prioritizes the power of Christ over his own abilities, how much more should we prioritize Christ’s power over our own lives?

MARY LESSON 2: Recognize God’s greater vision.

Jeremiah 1:5 CSB

5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

God’s plan for us goes beyond our current circumstances or wisdom; trust Him.

MARY LESSON 3: Recognize God’s master plan.

This is the meaning of Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:11 CSB

11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,

And more famously, Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

God has a plan which IS coming to fruition!

Conclusion

God has a master plan and works all things out for THAT good.

On the course to that good, we are going to experience high’s and low’s; we can’t base our faith on the state of our circumstances.

When God calls us, it’s understandable to have questions, but ultimately we must be willing to act on the faith we claim we have.