Day 1: Meet Mary, the Mother of Jesus (LISTEN HERE or HERE)
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God’s Messenger, God’s Message
Luke 1: 26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Meet Mary
Mary was a young woman, a teenager by all accounts. When we consider the time period and culture, we can also assume she was well learned in Scripture, as any Jewish child would be- taught from birth. She knew all about and loved God, but she probably didn’t know how to read or write. She was devoted. She wasn’t a scrawny, weak, or helpless child. Instead, she was used to traveling through life on her feet and working day to night to serve her family well; not in an abusive way, but in a traditional, responsible, and beautiful way. Biblical scholars agree Mary was from the out of the way-not near the city or shore- and poorer part of Galilee, Nazareth. As was customary, father’s would promise their daughters to their future husbands when they were just teenagers. Unlike today where engagement and marriage have been all meshed up from even American’s earliest traditions, setting the stage of marriage began with an agreement made by the father of the bride and followed by betrothal (Mary was espoused, or betrothed to Joseph) which is much like our wedding ceremonies today: promises, vows, were made to one another then, followed a year later at some surprising point by marriage when the bridegroom came for his bride. If a betrothal was to be broken, it would take a decree of divorce. Young Mary was fully committed to her God and to her husband, Joseph.
Meet Gabriel
Fresh from the job of delivering God’s message to Zachariah, Gabriel shows up in Nazareth with an even more miraculous message for Mary. Sent from God, do not miss those important 3 words. We live among false teachers, liars and wolves in sheep’s clothing who are deceptive but definitely not sent by God. Be warned. Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth. It was there Gabriel and Mary would meet by God’s divine appointment. Luke chapter one is the first mention of Nazareth in all of scripture, even the Old Testament, but soon Jesus of Nazareth would come to be known with familiarity; His followers, Nazarenes. Namesakes are pointed and purposed throughout God’s Word.
What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? There are so many accounts of a given name told by God’s hand, and here in the first couple of verses of Luke chapter 1 we find a few more. The first, Gabriel. One of only two named angels in the Bible, Gabriel was again delivering the news of a baby to come. At this time, we know Elizabeth is 6 months pregnant. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ would be born with in a few months of one another, John having a slight advantage on arrival. It wouldn’t be the first time his presence on this earth came before Jesus’. This angel of the Lord told both Zechariah and Mary the name of their respective sons. There were no baby books, no polls about the best name and no family input: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were given their names by God through Gabriel. By studying scripture we know God’s angels are created spiritual beings who possess strength, wisdom and obedience, always listening to, and sent by, the Lord. God chose Gabriel to share the news of a newborn baby coming to both Zechariah and his barren, menopausal wife, Elisabeth as well as to the young virgin, Mary.
Delivering Important News
Have you ever been part of a group where someone had to be the one to share big news? Who was chosen? Usually it’s not the wallflower in the scene. It takes a strong person to deliver important news. Here is God’s messenger, taking God’s message, to God’s people. His name: Gabriel, and it means, “God is my strength.” Look at the significance in this archangel’s Hebrew name! God does not miss a single detail in our lives, either!
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20
Mary’s Beginning
Though not the beginning of her young life, this day would be the beginning of the life of Mary we’d be privy to knowing. It was an otherwise ordinary day of her common life. Then God showed up. Mary was a virgin physically, but spiritually she was well practiced. She knew the Jewish law, she knew Jesus was coming and she was humbly living out her life devoted to Him. Because Mary was faithful in the things she knew were right, because she was a learner of God’s ways and a follower of the same, she was prepared for what she had no idea would come.
Are you prepared?
Friends, we should expect to hear from the Lord. Unlike Mary, we are privileged to be able to read and write, and we have His Word to read. Like Mary, we have opportunity to follow Him and His ways… if we choose to, every day. Are you listening for His voice? Are you waiting for something you’ve been in prayer over? Are you willing to listen when you hear Him call -through prayer, through His Word as you read, through godly counsel, through Biblical wisdom? I doubt you will see Gabriel or any other angel face to face today, but if you’re spending time with the Lord, He will be faithful to His Word, and you will hear from Him.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Expect the Unexpected
No-one needs to tell anyone who is alive in 2020 that life can be unexpected. But, instead of living life coasting along easy street and throwing toddler tantrums when things are hard, uncomfortable and unexpected, we should expect the unexpected in this Christian life.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Mary was not expecting the news received from the Angel’s announcement, but -and at the risk of reading ahead- we know she was willing to hear from her Lord. Consider whatever the Lord has for you, and ask yourself if you are willing to bend your ear, and your heart, to your Heavenly Father?
Bend your knees
I’m not sure where the emphasis falls in that challenge to your personally. Maybe it’s the “whatever” that leaves you closed up. It could be even just the idea of hearing from the Lord, knowing if you allow yourself to listen you’ll be required to respond.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalm 143:10
No matter what confounds you or where your struggle is right now, if you’re anything like me, the heart bends in sync with bending my knees. So I encourage you, go before the Lord and bend your knees. That’s a good place to start in preparing your heart, as did Mary, to make room for Jesus.
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11
We will continue our 25 Days with Mary tomorrow. See you back here then!
