Gabriel came to Mary to announce that she was highly favored by God. “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Most of us would wrongly have said, “Yes, God has noticed how hard I have been trying.” However, that was not Mary’s response. The angel Gabriel came with a Promise of Hope. Mary was initially troubled by this. There was in her mind nothing so special about her. She had honored God in her betrothal to Joseph, maintaining her virtue and virginity. Yet, that was common in her day and what was expected. To do otherwise would be punishable by death. But she was poor, from a poor family. Certainly, in her mind she was not in lineage of a princess or royalty of any kind.
Still, when Gabriel explained that she would give birth to God’s own Son by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, her response was: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38). Would you or I been so quick to say, “Lord, do with me as you please, that I might bring you Glory.” Mary would be ridiculed by many; after all, she was expecting child before her marriage to Joseph was consummated. Even Joseph at first questioned her. Indeed, in John 8:41 the pharisees slander the words of Jesus by inferring he was born out of an act of fornication. Mary’s virtue would be questioned the rest of her life. She held dear her reputation, it was all she had. How was that “favor in the eyes of God?” Furthermore, she would remain in poverty from the world’s standards.
The Promise of Hope
Mary would watch her Son, God’s promise of hope, be ridiculed, mocked, shamed and hung on a cross. Yet, by faith, she willingly accepted this her lot in life. What about you or me? Would you willingly say, “Yes, Lord; ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word?’ Do we willingly say, “Lord thy will be done? No matter what discomfort or difficulty You may ask of me, I trust in Your Promise of Hope. Willingly, I lay down all my desires that Your love might shine forth to the world.” Unfortunately, all too often, we say “yes Lord” only if it means our worldly reputation is held in high regard. Or, perhaps for financial comfort and ease. But what about when our promise of hope comes with pain, sorrow, suffering, and poverty? How willing are we then?
Jesus Christ is our only hope of salvation. He came that we might be redeemed. The only promise of hope that we have is found through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Yet, if in this life only our hope lies, then we are indeed impoverished with no hope. This Christmas Eve, stop and consider what God is asking of you. Are you willing to lose everything that you hold dear on this earth that you might find Him?
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DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.Footnote and Credits