The Courage of Mary

Courage

Read Luke 1:26–38 “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.”

Mary has been put in an unusual, frightening but miraculous position.

The angel Gabriel says she is the favored one!

That’s an understatement!

Of all the women in the world at that time she is chosen to give birth to the one who created all things.

Think about that.....

I love the lyrics to “Mary did you know”

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters.

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new.

The child you’ve delivered will soon deliver you.

As we read through this story about Mary and the last few weeks about Joseph and the Shepherds.....

What does it make you think about each of these people involved.

They got to be asking the question … “Are you choosing me?”

They might have even thought why are you choosing me?

This is the way God works!

He uses the most unlikely people to carry out His agenda.

What characteristic did all of these unlikely people have that most Christians don’t have?

Something that is not talked about much in discipleship circles.

Christians talk about hope, confidence, love...all these things...but they don’t talk much about courage.

Courage is absolutely critical.

Look what Mary said in Luke 1:38 “38 Then Mary said, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord! May it be done to me according to your word.”

She said I’m available Lord!

Are you courageous enough to say I’m available?

Are you courageous enough to speak Truth and share the Gospel?

Are you courageous enough to teach Sunday School or Bible class?

Are you courageous enough to share the Gospel with your neighbor?

Are you courageous enough to say Lord use me how you wish...I’m available.

Most Christians are not.

There is a crisis of courage in our country.

We censor ourself.

I’m not going to talk politics at a meal and lose my friends.

I’m not going to share the Gospel because that might hurt their feelings...

or I might sound like a religious fanatic.

I understand that what people say about you matters to you.

SHOULD IT?

Aristotle said without courage their is no other virtue.

It is courage that holds all the other virtues in place.

What is courage?

It is doing the right thing when the outcome is uncertain!

dictionary definition....Courage is choosing to do what’s right when it is uncomfortable, risky or challenging.

I hope your new year resolutions will have some room for courage!

Look at the birth of Christ and all the participants that played a role in His coming to earth.

Without courage history could turn out differently.

God knew Mary would be the courageous person for bringing Christ into the world.

Apostle Paul would be the courageous man to take the Gospel to the gentiles.