Women in the Bible - Mary

Mary, an unknown young girl, was chosen by God to be the mother of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  God always uses humble beginnings to complete His plan and purpose for mankind.  Even in Mary’s early years we can see that she had completely surrendered her life to God’s will.  This loyal, devoted girl was there when God was ready to work His mightiest miracle through her.

    Gabriel visited Mary at Nazareth, announcing the most glorious event of human history.  “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”   Luke 1:35 

      Can you imagine how Mary must have felt?  Not only was an angel standing over her, but what he was saying was amazing!  This young humble woman was chosen for something so magnificent; a world changed forever because of the love of God.  She must have felt His awesome presence when she softly asked Gabriel, “How shall this be?”

    The promise seemed impossible, yet Mary a faithful follower of God, had kept her mind and heart open to God, and the miracle, as well as the honor and the suffering, became hers.      

   When she answered, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said.” Luke 1:38, she showed that her desire was directed to God alone.  She was willing to obey, whatever the cost.

   Imagine for a minute what she must have been thinking.  Only the barest details of the virgin birth were revealed to Mary, yet she fully trusted God as the source of all her hopes.

     All of the promises in God’s Word contain miracle power when they are believed and acted upon in faith.  Mary received because she believed God!  The promise for your need and for God to use you may be beyond your understanding, as it was Mary’s; but it is not beyond you to step out in faith and allow God to move through your life.  Then you can also experience, as Mary did, “with God all things are possible.”

  When Mary and Joseph reached Bethlehem there was no place at the inn.  They rested in a stable.  It was there Mary delivered her son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

    She gently watched over Him whom God had promised.  She became a mother who gave her best to her child so that it could be said of Him that He “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”  Luke 2:52

    Mary continued to yield with patience unto the end when her son was crucified and laid in the tomb.  Her silent endurance of what she could not change is her great lesson to the world.  

  
Have you completely surrendered your life to Christ?   What can we learn from Mary’s kind and gentle spirit?