Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:26-38 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, Verse 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. Verse 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." Verse 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Verse 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Verse 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Verse 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. Verse 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Verse 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" Verse 35The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Verse 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. Verse 37For nothing will be impossible with God." Verse 38Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Devotion
If you were to imagine God's favor being extended to you, what would it look like? An unexpected blessing, a remarkable turn of events, a surprising answer to prayer? It's unlikely that many of us would envision a visit from an angel and an assignment that involves being used by God to change the world. Yet Luke seems to specialize in these life-changing stories. First Zechariah and Elizabeth, and now Mary, are the unlikely recipients of God’s attention.
Why does God choose them? We don't know. Mary is portrayed as obedient, believing and worshipful, but that isn't necessarily why God chooses her. The reason is hidden in the mysterious purposes of God. All Mary can do is respond in humility: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." How do you respond to God's favor? You might be humbled to think that God wants to use you to carry out God's purposes. But if not you, then who? And if not now, then when?
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for visiting us in our time and place. Use us, as your servants, to change the world. Amen.