I wonder what it was
that enabled Mary to say to the angel “Let it be to me according to your word”
(Luke 1:38 ESV)? How did she develop such a faith in God that allowed her to
accept the news, apparently with a glad and sincere heart? It’s not clear how
much time passed before verses 46-55 when she praises God in the “Magnificat,”
but her words reflect a deep knowledge of the Scriptures. The angel said Mary
had “found favor with God.” It seems likely that her knowledge of Scripture had
grown into a familiarity with who God is and how He works, so trusting Him was
not a big challenge for her. Elizabeth said of Mary, “Blessed is she who has
believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” (1:45). Mary
believed and trusted God.
Would I respond in faith to an angelic messenger like that?
I think I’d more likely remain silent while wondering whether I was hallucinating
or where the hidden camera was. In many ways our media-crazed culture has made
us more skeptical. We don’t believe most of what we can see, much less what we
can’t see. An angelic visitation might have a greater impact in a third world
country. But at the same time, we have one advantage over Mary. We have two
millennia of history beyond what Mary knew. We have the evidence of Jesus’s
birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, and the subsequent growth of the
church to point to God’s power, love, and faithfulness.
Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The
author of Hebrews wrote, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those
who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
I wish I had the kind of faith that said “Whatever You wish,
Lord, no matter what.” Some days I do, but other days I’m inclined to tell God
what He should be doing differently. Sometimes it’s easier to believe God for
the general idea of salvation than it is to believe for the forgiveness of a
particular sin. It’s easier to believe in the concept of sanctification than
for the daily power over temptation. It’s easier to believe in God’s provision
than to entrust an immediate need to His care. We often believe in theory but
not in practice.
When Jesus was presented in the temple Simeon prophesied,
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel… and
a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:34-35). We aren’t told
Mary’s immediate response, but she may have been wondering what she’d gotten
herself into. That would certainly stir worry and fear in most of us. But
somehow Mary kept believing and treasured up all these unusual events in her
heart.
This Christmas as we remember that He is Immanuel, God with
us, may we learn to believe Him more fully and trust Him more deeply.
