Let It Be With Me Just As You Have Said
Mary's defining moment
We don’t know whether Mary had heard that her cousin was pregnant, but let’s assume for a moment that she had at least heard that she was. Had she thought it ridiculous that her much older, known-to-be-barren cousin would be pregnant? Or had she accepted it as normal? Either way, the angel telling her would be a strong confirmation for Mary.
Let it be with me just as you have said.
This is Mary’s defining moment. (It alone makes for a great prayer!) We know Mary to be who she was based upon this very moment. Many challenges will remain for her in the years to come - fleeing the country as a refugee, questioning Jesus’ actions, watching her son suffer and die. But her character is known by this willingness. And it’s a servanthood by which the world was indeed changed forever.
Luke 1:36-38
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. Nothing is impossible for God.”
Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Lord God’s spirit is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and a day of vindication for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for Zion’s mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the Lord to glorify himself.
Prayer
God,
Humble me, Mary-like. More specifically, let it be in my life according to your Word, who is Jesus. I confess that I’m not always sure what that should be, so I’d certainly take the word of an angel in the middle of the night to give me specific instructions. Then again, maybe I couldn’t handle that, I don’t know. Nonetheless, your Word seems to not always be so specific, with a Mary, privy to instructions, being the exception and not the rule.
So help me, God: Lead me and guide me in and through your Word today and always.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.