Imagine the sweetest 14-year-old Christian girl you know. Who comes to your mind? Is she just beginning to blossom? Is she so kind, innocent, and pure? Jesus’ mother, Mary would have been like this precious girl you are picturing.
Imagine the sweetest 14-year-old Christian girl you know. Who comes to your mind? Is she just beginning to blossom? Is she so kind, innocent, and pure? Jesus’ mother, Mary would have been like this precious girl you are picturing. The responsibly and the honor of carrying the Savior of the world must have felt daunting and exciting to her. However, it leads to the question, “Did Mary have any clue what she was called to do?” Mary, did you know? Today we will learn more about exploring the depths of Mary’s faith this Christmas.
Faith Before Seeing
True faith is belief without seeing. Mary was told by Gabriel that she would conceive a Son by the Holy Spirit and was to call Him Jesus because He would be the Messiah. As a woman of Jewish culture, the greatest responsibility was to marry and bear a son to carry on a family lineage. The news that Mary would be part of the lineage of Christ must have been a great honor to her. However, the circumstances under which Jesus came seemed shocking. She was a young virgin from a small town. Why would God choose her? Why did He not select royalty? God knew exactly what He was doing. He wanted Mary for a reason. He did not pick the obvious choice by the world’s standards. His ways are much higher.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 says, “Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
Mary was called by the Creator to carry Him as a baby and birth Him. It takes months before a woman feels a baby move or sees a baby bump. Mary would not have seen an instant miracle. However, she willingly chose to trust God’s message through Gabriel that this was God’s plan for her life. Can you imagine her first pregnancy symptoms hitting after this? How miraculous, afraid, and in awe must she have been? Nausea, fatigue, and bodily changes reminded her that His Word was true and that she would one day see and hold this baby boy.
Fear Did Not Stop Her Obedience
Mary was clearly afraid based on the account. However, even being uncertain of this angel and the message carrying a lot of weight and responsibility, Mary found the courage to follow through in obedience.
Luke 1:28-33 says, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’”
Mary Asked Questions with Faith
Sometimes we can assume that faith means no questions or concerns along the way. However, Mary shows us that legitimate questions are welcomed and encouraged. She had a deep enough relationship with God that she asked the angel how this could be possible because she was a virgin. (Luke 1:34) Often, we can be scared of inquiring of the Lord, but He welcomes our questions. There is still a sense of respect that is valuable, though. Mary asks, and there is no punishment. However, Zechariah questions the angel which is welcomed, but with the question is unbelief.
We read earlier in Luke 1:18-19 “‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.’”
The difference is that Zechariah did not believe. Mary and Zechariah both had questions, but Mary’s faith was deep enough to ground her in the midst of her questions. There is a difference in saying, “I believe you, but I have questions,” and “I have questions because I do not believe you.” Mary believed God.
Spirit-Filled Faith
In a day and time when the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon every believer. Mary was given this privilege. What the Lord was asking her to do was only going to be done by Him. People easily idolize Mary and place her on a pedestal because she was chosen. However, this is not right. Only Jesus deserves the glory. His Spirit and His power came over her and enabled her to do the humanly impossible task. (Luke 1:35-37)
A Faithful Servant
Luke 1:38 says, “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” Mary could have become very prideful due to this position. However, she chose to call herself the Lord’s servant. This beautiful response reveals her humble heart. God chose her because she was full of humble faith.
Mary Glorified God in her Calling
Luke 1:46-56 is titled “Mary’s Song.” It is a beautiful song that Mary created to worship the Lord for choosing her for this particular mission. She shares of His mighty works in history and tells of His great mercy and might. Mary receives this calling and allows it to compel her into worship of the Lord. She models the mature response of giving glory back to God. It is all about His glory, and she understands that her role as His mother is just the platform for the gospel message.
Mary Had Faith to Prepare Well
Luke 1:56 says, “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.” Mary chose to go get an “in-person learning experience” to prepare well for pregnancy and delivery. She went to her cousin Elizabeth, who was older (also carrying a miracle baby, John the Baptist). Elizabeth was three months ahead of Mary so this would have been the perfect training ground for Mary to have someone safe to care for her and also teach her practical things about pregnancy. Elizabeth was a wonderful resource for Mary to learn since she was always one trimester ahead. (Luke 1:39-45)
Mary Shared in Faith with Others
Mary had to tell others what the Lord revealed to her. This was no small task. She had to inform Joseph of her unique calling. Mary unashamedly told others and trusted in the Lord. She received the Word God gave her, and she did not hide it from those who needed to know.
Mary is a true inspiration of genuine faith in the sovereignty of God. She chose to live out His calling on her life. We can be reminded of the courage it takes to be humble servants of the Most High God. He is worthy of all the glory from anything we produce in our lives.
Related Resource: The Characters of Christmas Podcast
Listen to our Christmas podcast, The Characters of Christmas with Dan Darling. In this episode, we examine the simple girl at the center of the Christmas story: Mary. Let's spend some time meditating on the great faith of this woman:
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