Christians should honour Mary for being selected among the virgins to be the mother of Jesus. God chose and used her for the global mission which is to redeem humanity and restore the creation. Psalm 34:3 - magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. The followings are discussed: Jesus Birth; Mary's Submission, and Mary magnifies the Lord.
Jesus Birth Foretold: Jesus birth wasn't by chance, so much had been stated about it in the old testament. His virgin and humble birth and even the lineage had been revealed years before he was born (Isaiah 7:4; Luke 1:27). Angel Gabriel told Mary that the 'holy thing' she had conceived in her womb was of the Spirit of God and shall be called the Son of the 'Most High'. The pregnancy was not a product of sexual relations (Luke 1:18-27; 1:34; Mathew 1:18-25). Mary had not been married as at the time of her conception. She was only pledged to be married, and according to the Jewish tradition sexual union was forbidden until marriage was legally consummated.
Angel Gabriel's appearance and salutation surprised Mary that she wondered when she was called the 'highly favoured', and with the expression 'God is with thee'. Such expression in the old testament pointed to a call for difficult task. Abraham, Jacob, Samuel and some others received similar message that placed them for special and difficult task. Mary was shocked but her fear was alleviated when the angel told her she had been favoured and God had chosen her to accomplish a task that would impact humanity (Luke 1:28-33; Daniel 7:13-14; 2:44).
Marry Submission and Faith: Mary protested before angel Gabriel, probably thinking how she could be pregnant without sexual relations, and considering how Joseph, her espoused husband would react to such pregnancy. She might also be troubled about the consequences of being accused for adultery. But she summoned courage and responded to divine direction with open heart (Luke 1:34-38). The angel had told her that the Spirit of God would overshadow her for the conception, and her child would be God-incarnate.
Angel Gabriel also told her that Elizabeth, her cousin had been pregnant for six months in her old age. The revelation was to show that nothing is impossible with God. We should follow Mary's example as we walk daily with God. We should be willing and seek divine direction when God asks us to do difficult tasks with consequences.
Mary expressed faith in God when she decided to go and tell someone else about her encounter with God through the angel. She went through a long distance to tell her cousin, Elizabeth about her experience. When Mary and Elizabeth met, the baby leapt for joy at Mary's greetings, and Elizabeth, being filled with the Holy Spirit, declared that Mary and the baby were blessed by God (Luke 1: 39-45). This declaration revealed blessing that would follow Messiah's birth.
Mary Magnifies the Lord: Mary praised God for the prophetic statement (Luke: 1:47). This expression of praise is known as the 'The Magnificat'. She exalted God for blessing the world through her. She praised God for giving her the honour when she had done absolutely nothing to deserve it. Just as Mary did, we should appreciate God and direct others to praise Him for His wonderful work in and through us.
Mary sang about the blessing Messiah would bring to the Jewish people (Luke 1:50-55). She also thanked God for making her part of His plan for salvation of those who fear Him. God would bring down the proud while He lifts up the humble and feeds the hungry. Elizabeth worshipped God for His faithfulness to Israel, and that He would continue to bless and protect the nation through the Messiah. God would keep his promise of blessing all nations through Israel as He faithfully kept His covenant with Abraham.
While we appreciate Mary for her obedience, dedication, purity, humility and submission which made God use her to bring Christianity to the world, God should be praised and worshipped for giving His Son to the world. Lesson texts: Luke 1:26-56.
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