March 14
Num 21:1-22:20 | PS 57:1-11 | Prov 11:9-11 | Luke 1:26-56
How much would you be willing to accept if it were not fully recognized in your lifetime? In every movie we want to see justice served, the “bad” guy found out and punished and the “good” guy recognized for doing what was right. But when God calls us, this is often not how it plays out on earth. Our rewards are in heaven, we are not guaranteed understanding by others, vindication from false accusations, recognition for a job well done on earth. If we are to serve God we must remember that this is not our home, heaven is. While on earth we are to be His ambassadors, His messengers, His vessels to be used by Him, for His glory, not our own. So, when we are introduced to Mary, we see in her a beautiful and willing vessel. It is often forgotten that she was only a teenager. Though we realize the blessing she was being offered. Those closest to her did not and would not and for many, never would. She would be jeered, mocked, and misrepresented by those in her town. These misrepresentations would remain with her as Jesus grew up and even throughout Jesus’ ministry. There was not going to be that “Aha” moment when she was thrust on the shoulders by the townspeople in recognition for what she had done. No, she was comfortable being obedient and remaining in the shadows, respected eventually by her Son’s followers, but not by those she knew and grew up around.
We meet her in Luke 1:26-28, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”” Gabriel goes on to explain what would happen in 1:29-33, to which Mary responds in 1:34, “Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”” In faith, she accepts all that is told, she simply doesn’t understand how, to which we see Gabriel’s response in 1:35, “And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Now, notice the response of this young teenager, engaged to be married, from a small town in 1:38, “Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” She then goes on to recite a prayer, called the Magnificat in 1:46-55. In it we get a glimpse of the spiritual maturity at such a young age of Mary as she quotes and alludes to many sections of the Scripture in her prayer.
We would do well to recognize Mary for the beautiful vessel that she was, no more and no less. She is not featured in Scripture except in these early passages and in a few scattered areas in the gospels. Certain denominations have added to that which is written in Scripture, while others have mistakenly not shown her the respect that she deserves. Like the prophets of old, she is a beautiful picture of faith. Those who accepted the will of God, despite the earthly cost it might be. Mary was probably referred to as “that woman” in her small town throughout her life. The prophets were disrespected, physically attacked, and some were even killed for simply being God’s messengers to an audience that had no desire or sensitivity to hear. Are we willing to be His vessels? Would we have asked as few questions as Mary before accepting the offer? Our response to God’s offers should echo that of Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”“. But we must remember what that acceptance often means, as Jesus clarified in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Notice, He did not say if, but when. So, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, may we learn from Mary, what a vessel looks like. May we accept our marching orders and live out our calling whatever it might be and despite the consequences such stepping out might result in.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: