If a person knows they are being directed by the good Lord, they can handle whatever comes their way. Call it faith, call it courage, call it stubbornness.”
–D.C. Adkisson (Winter of the Wolves)
“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'”
“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'”
–Luke 1:30 (NJV)
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Does God play favorites? Not in the sense that we would use that term, but if we read the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (1:5) we might conclude that He has put in place individuals for special purposes. So, I ask the next question: “Why Mary?” What made her so special? Why was she chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus? Questions that we really cannot answer, but there are some things we know or can conclude about Mary.
She was not the choice of random selection. She came from a small town, and did not stray from her humble beginnings. When one reads the wonderful “song of Mary” we see her humility shine throughout. We know she was a virgin to fulfill the prophecy of the birth of Christ. She was a young girl and at first was troubled when then the angel Gabriel appeared. He said she was “highly favored,” that the “Lord is with you” and that she was blessed. (Luke 1:28-29) Gabriel further reinforced his saying, “you have found favor with God.” (1:30) For some reason, she was chosen above all the others to bear the Son of God. “God sent the ultimate Christmas gift, not just to Mary but to all of us.” (David Jeremiah).
I would encourage you to read and contemplate Luke 1:46-55. We have insight into this young woman. She is visiting Elizabeth who is also pregnant with John and when John leaps in the womb of Elizabeth recognizing through the Spirit that Mary was pregnant with the Son of God, she breaks forth into song. We see that she is knowledgeable of the Scriptures. We see that she believes in the God of her ancestors and must have come from a devout Jewish family (Ashley Hooker). Her faith is seen, not only here in these verses but also in her response to Gabriel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Her voice rises in praise, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47) She speaks of His mercy, His strength, His faithfulness. Mary is ready to obey, and accepts the responsibility placed upon her; she knows that God has it all under control. At first she questioned the possibility of such a miracle, but when convinced by the angel and in her heart she firmly follows God’s direction for her life.
We hear Mary displaying an attitude of thankfulness. “Mary could have focused on the situation and felt nothing but fear. Instead, she focuses on the blessing within the turmoil.” (Hooker) In the midst of this “confusing” situation she is full of trust. As a young girl (possibly sixteen) engaged (betrothed) to Joseph, who has also to hear from the Lord, she has accepted this as part of her life–being chosen for such a time as this. We don’t know all her thoughts, her fears, her questions, but we do know that she was obedient, faithful, and trusting with confidence in the Word of the Lord. I like what David Jeremiah says, “She honored and obeyed the will of her Father, providing His only son a home from which he would emerge to launch the work that would define all of human history. The child toddled behind her in his infancy. Then, in time, she followed behind Him–all the way to the cross and the tomb.” And I might include, beyond to the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.
———————————-
Does God play favorites? Not in the sense that we would use that term, but if we read the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (1:5) we might conclude that He has put in place individuals for special purposes. So, I ask the next question: “Why Mary?” What made her so special? Why was she chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus? Questions that we really cannot answer, but there are some things we know or can conclude about Mary.
She was not the choice of random selection. She came from a small town, and did not stray from her humble beginnings. When one reads the wonderful “song of Mary” we see her humility shine throughout. We know she was a virgin to fulfill the prophecy of the birth of Christ. She was a young girl and at first was troubled when then the angel Gabriel appeared. He said she was “highly favored,” that the “Lord is with you” and that she was blessed. (Luke 1:28-29) Gabriel further reinforced his saying, “you have found favor with God.” (1:30) For some reason, she was chosen above all the others to bear the Son of God. “God sent the ultimate Christmas gift, not just to Mary but to all of us.” (David Jeremiah).
I would encourage you to read and contemplate Luke 1:46-55. We have insight into this young woman. She is visiting Elizabeth who is also pregnant with John and when John leaps in the womb of Elizabeth recognizing through the Spirit that Mary was pregnant with the Son of God, she breaks forth into song. We see that she is knowledgeable of the Scriptures. We see that she believes in the God of her ancestors and must have come from a devout Jewish family (Ashley Hooker). Her faith is seen, not only here in these verses but also in her response to Gabriel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Her voice rises in praise, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47) She speaks of His mercy, His strength, His faithfulness. Mary is ready to obey, and accepts the responsibility placed upon her; she knows that God has it all under control. At first she questioned the possibility of such a miracle, but when convinced by the angel and in her heart she firmly follows God’s direction for her life.
We hear Mary displaying an attitude of thankfulness. “Mary could have focused on the situation and felt nothing but fear. Instead, she focuses on the blessing within the turmoil.” (Hooker) In the midst of this “confusing” situation she is full of trust. As a young girl (possibly sixteen) engaged (betrothed) to Joseph, who has also to hear from the Lord, she has accepted this as part of her life–being chosen for such a time as this. We don’t know all her thoughts, her fears, her questions, but we do know that she was obedient, faithful, and trusting with confidence in the Word of the Lord. I like what David Jeremiah says, “She honored and obeyed the will of her Father, providing His only son a home from which he would emerge to launch the work that would define all of human history. The child toddled behind her in his infancy. Then, in time, she followed behind Him–all the way to the cross and the tomb.” And I might include, beyond to the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.