Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 13, 2023
Luke 1:26-38
26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Good Morning. Nothing is Impossible!
Rejoice, favored one! I find myself greatly confused when I try to consider Mary’s thoughts as she hears this news. Think about a time when you were selected for some great honor that you quickly realized was full of trouble and challenges. You might even think, “Thanks for nothing; this is more trouble than it is worth!”
As the angel continued to speak, I imagine, her thoughts quickly changed from confusion to fear to disbelief and back to confusion. She must have been thinking, “WHAT?!?” Mary’s strength and maturity are amazing. In the short time of this conversation, she accepts her selection by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Mary’s life will never be the same. She is the mother of Jesus, God’s son, whom God sent to save us from ourselves. As any mother, she will experience all the earthly blessings and challenges of having a baby.
As a divine mother, she will watch her son perform miracles, teach a new way of living, gather multitudes of followers, and be praised by the crowds. She will also be asked to do what no mother would ever want to do: to watch her son be arrested, spat upon, mocked, tortured, and suffer an agonizing death on a cross. By the grace of God, she was given the strength to endure her pain so that Christ could fulfill the prophecy and save all of mankind.
“Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.”
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Help us accept your love, grace, and mercy, and lead us to share these with all we meet. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Like Mary, I can accept God’s plan with hope and faith.
Be the Lord’s Servant! Pastor Liz
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