Mary: Responding when God Calls

As we continue considering the Characters that are part of the Christmas story, we come to, arguably, the most popular person after Jesus: Mary. Two weeks ago, we began by thinking about Simeon and how his anticipation of the coming of Messiah was impacted by the hope-filled message of the Prophets. Last week, we considered some of the cultural issues as Joseph responded to what must of seemed like major disappointments in his life. Today, we get to look at Mary.

We could consider Mary as an individual. There is some to know, and a lot to speculate about. What we know is that she was engaged to Joseph. She was Jewish. We assume that she was young - likely a teenager - which in and of itself is a lot to take in. Some commentators have noted that it was common for girls to get betrothed in the middle teenage years - 14, 15, 16. Later in life, Scripture seems to show that she had other children, she participated in Jesus’ ministry, was present at his crucifixion, and associated with the disciples near the time of the Pentecost.

There are so many other theories that have arisen over the years about Mary - her birth, life, family, etc. But rather than engaging in speculation and fantastic theories, it seemed to me to be more helpful to consider some tangible elements of her life and some ways that we can learn from how she responded to the call of God.

One of the beautiful elements of how God works is that He seems to give people an opportunity to obey, to fulfill the mission that God has for them. The same is true here for Mary. God placed a big request in Mary’s life. He asked her to be the one who would bring Jesus into the world.

One of the editors from Christianity Today said:

I have been captivated again by the central, flabbergasting fact of Christianity: that God himself came down and chose to be conceived, and carried to term, and born the son of a real, living woman.

“From the Editor.” Christian History Magazine-Issue 83: Mary in the Imagination of the Church 2004 : n. pag. Print.

The son of God was to be born of a virgin. The chosen virgin was Mary.

Mary responded to God’s call in three profound ways.

First of all, she responded with...

Faith and Curiosity (Luke 1:26-34)

Back in the 80s - President Reagan, when talking about diplomacy with other countries, famously said:

“Trust, but verify”

Like President Reagan, Mary trusted the Angel of the Lord enough to believe that what the angel said would happen, but she also expressed a curiosity. Rather than trying to verify the facts or consider all of the contingencies, she expressed a sense of wonder. Let’s look at the first part of their conversation.

Luke 1:26–34 ESV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Let’s contrast this briefly with a similar encounter that happens at the beginning of this chapter. As Luke is pulling together his orderly account of the life of Jesus in this gospel, he has a great deal of order and parallelism here. In fact, the announcement the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus are quite similar. One commentator pointed out a chiastic structure:

A - The Angel’s conversation with Zechariah about John’s birth (1:5-25)

B - The Angel’s conversation with Mary about the birth of Jesus (1:26-38)

B’ - Mary’s Song of Praise (1:39-56)

A’ - Zechariah’s Song of Praise (1:57-80)

Now, I find the structure quite interesting - in fact you’ll see these types of patterns all over scripture - in both the Old and the New Testaments.

I point this out here, because it seems like Luke wants us to notice the similarities and the differences.

Both children were announced by an Angel - in fact, the same angel.

Both births were miraculous - Elizabeth because she was barren and old, Mary because she was a virgin.

Both boys would have significant ministries - John would call people to repentance and would prepare the way for Jesus.

On the differences side - Zechariah seemed to respond with doubt and skepticism, where Mary responded with faith.

So Zechariah is in the Temple, doing his work and an angel of the Lord appears to him telling him that his wife would have a son. Look at Zechariah’s response:

Luke 1:18 ESV

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

He seems to ask for a sign and then points out that he and his wife are old. This may be doubt and skepticism, or it may simply be a human response. He’s old. His wife is barren. He was familiar with the OT stories of miraculous births - but then there is the life of this child too.

The Angel gives him the sign of silence (v. 20) in response to his lack of faith. The angel seems to be calling him away from doubt toward faith with this sign - be quiet and believe (Bock, Fred, BECNT: Luke, 91-92).

Mary’s response to the Angel is actually quite similar - but has a note of expectation that it will happen soon - before she and Joseph consummate their marriage.

Luke 1:34 ESV

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

God called Mary to a very unique task. There have been countless miraculous conceptions and births. In fact, some would say that every birth is a miracle.

Last week, we briefly considered some of the cultural elements of her being pregnant - the shame she would receive from her culture, the legal punishment that was expected. Today, this doesn’t seem like as much of a big deal as it has become so much more common.

I think it’s important for us to see that God was calling her to do something that was so far out of the ordinary. This was a big move.

Because of God’s sovereign plan and Mary’s willingness - Jesus the Messiah came into the world. We know he’s coming again - but this time in the air. I’m quite certain that there is not another “ask” like this for a woman to give birth to the Son of God again.

But there are times when God does ask us to do some big things. There are divinely appointed encounters that we get to step into - if we are willing.

Have you ever had those times when the Spirit of God was calling you do something - to go talk to someone? You look at it and you think - there is no way this would happen.

A few weeks ago, I got a chance to hear James Merritt - a pastor from Georgia, speak on evangelism. He shared about his prayer life and how God had laid on his heart to pray for some famous people - that God would save certain individuals. James said that God had laid Michael Jordan on his heart. This may not be strange - as we’ve seen recently with the conversion of Kanye West - famous people need forgiveness from God and are not beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit. From time to time, here on Sunday mornings, we pray for our national leaders - for their salvation.

So James began praying for Michael Jordan. Then the Spirit began tugging on his heart to begin praying for an opportunity to share the gospel with Jordan:

Golf course

Friend’s invitation on a different day

Wife said to change schedule

Michael and friends come in two big black Escalades

friend gets Jordan’s signature and encourages James to do the same.

James and his friend are right in front of Michael and his party

break after 9 for lunch

Michael and his friends continue to the next hole - now James and his friend are behind.

Friend sees Michael up the hill and says - now is your chance to get his signature.

At that moment, the Spirit reminds him what he’d been praying for (an opportunity to share the gospel).

So he ran up the cart path with an evangelistic card in his hand. He shook MJ’s hand, handed him the card and briefly shared the gospel with him - challenging him - to consider that God might have a bigger plan for him.

Michael looked at him, at the card, at him, at the card - and then at him one last time - as a tear began to roll down his cheek. He said thank you and that he would think about this.

James does not run in MJ’s circles - but God laid it on his heart to pray for an opportunity - and so James did. God made the opportunity happen.

The angel told Mary that “nothing is impossible with God” - (vs. 37). God may ask us to do some outlandish things, seemingly impossible things - like sharing the gospel with Michael Jordan - will we respond the way that Mary (and James) did - with faith - and even a bit of curiosity?

In addition to responding with faith and curiosity, Mary responded with...

Humble Submission (Luke 1:38)

Luke 1:35–38 ESV

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The angel here answers her question - “how” with a very clear answer - “the Holy Spirit will...” and then gives her some further evidence that God will accomplish what he intends by teller her of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

Mary then willingly acknowledges position before God - as a servant or slave (humble), and then submits to His will - “let it be....”

God works in mysterious ways.

There are paradoxes throughout scripture - two seemingly opposing view points that actually work together. For example - the trinity - the threeness and oneness of God.

Another example is the Sovereignty of God and human responsibility.

The Sovereignty of God essentially says:

The Moody Handbook of Theology Sovereignty of God

sovereignty of God is supreme; that He has absolute and undisputable authority over all creation, that nothing can lie outside of or be viewed as not being subject to the sovereignty of His will, that He is not only the Creator and Upholder but the Disposer of all events from the beginning of time to its close.

This gets worked out in the way that God “sustains all creation”, “bestows life and ability to all things” and “guides all things to their appointed end.” (ibid)

So if God is over all things and ruling - does that me that we are simply his pawns in a massive game of chess? Are we robots with no ability to choose on our own?

I think this is where the beauty of the paradox lies - God ordains things and yet gives us an opportunity to obey. He gives us free will to choose.

God has ordained that His child is coming into the world through the womb of Mary. In His sovereignty, he knows that she will obey. Does she have a choice? It seems to be so. She willingly and humbly submits to God’s plan.

(story of obedience)

Finally, Mary responded with...

Expectant Praise (Luke 1:46-55)

After spending time with the angel of the Lord, Mary goes to see Elizabeth - her cousin, John the Baptist’s mother. While there, Mary composes a song of praise in response to all that God is going to do.

Luke 1:46–55 ESV

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

In reading Luke’s account, we might assume that Mary spontaneously broke into song - and she may. But most likely, this song is a response of reflection. When, if you consider her likely age, this is quite a mature song.

Mary’s song - the magnificat - gets very specific in it’s praise.

She praises God for...

His work in her life (46-49) - She sees God as her master and savior. She recognizes that God has called her out of her humility - not because of anything that she has done. She seems to recognize that she will be esteemed by generations to come (and she is). What is fascinating here is that this would not have been immediately true. It would have been many years before the general population would have recognized who she is in light of Jesus’ life.

His work in all humanity (50-53) - She reflects on how God works in those who have a reverence or fear for Him in every generation. She considers how God deals with the proud and the humble and fills those who are hungry.

His work in Israel (54-55) - While the work of God through Jesus will affect all humanity, she seems to recognize the fact that the news that is being fulfilled was promised to the forefathers - and specifically to Abraham.

Mary’s praise was not vague or emotional. Her praise was specific and knowledgeable. Her praise seems to be the result of contemplation on what God said in the past and how that will get worked out in the future. Praise like this takes time - time to learn, time to reflect, time to respond.

When we praise God, when we thank Him for all that he has done, do we truly take time to do so? Do we take time to be specific? Do we take time to let the words we’re singing go through our minds?

Each week as we gather to worship God, we get to be participants in a liturgy that has been carefully, prayerfully, and biblically considered. I’m so grateful for the way that Rick (especially) and Bryan carefully work through the themes, scriptures, songs, and more in an effort to help us all worship God fully - engaging our minds, souls, and emotions.

During this advent season, the candle lightings have been the result of several hours of contemplation, prayer, study, and meditation by Jordan in an effort to infuse depth of meaning and significance to this tradition.

Our worship leaders, like Mary, seek to lead us to praise God fully.

(introduce a song - reflects on a text in the book of Revelation - uses a sort of catechism (question/answer) as a means of fostering worship).

Is He Worthy

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do) Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do) But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do) Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do) Is all creation groaning? (It is) Is a new creation coming? (It is) Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is) Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is) Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy of this? He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does) Does the Spirit move among us? (He does) And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves? (He does) Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave From every people and tribe Every nation and tongue He has made us a kingdom and priests to God To reign with the Son Is He worthy?Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Is He worthy of this? He is! Is He worthy? Is He worthy? He is! He is!

Closing Thoughts

So as God, through the Angel, called Mary to be a part of His grand plan, she was given the opportunity to respond - she responded in faith and curiosity, in humble submission, and in expectant praise.

(Gospel)