Mary’s Story                                     Luke 11:26-28

We talk a lot about Jesus in our lead up to Christmas, but there are other people involved in his birth story. Mary is probably the most important person outside of Jesus. And she’s not important just because she gave birth that day, she has things in her own right that she can teach us. I think it’s unfortunate that often, Mary is represented as a poised and quiet young woman, just someone who does her duty along with Joseph, and then fades into the background.

Our verse 28, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you are highly favored…’” To be favored means you have other’s approval, you’re seen in good esteem, and you have other’s commendations. None of this is about to happen to Mary.

Mary is a betrothed teenager who is pregnant before the wedding, and this is not going to earn her the community’s favor, in fact, scandal ensues. Mary is about to be very    unfavored. Yet in Luke 1:30, the angel Gabriel tells Mary a second time, “…you have found favor with God.”

Moses, Noah, Joseph, they all were said to have God’s favor. Moses had God’s favor, yet he was harassed, argued with by his own people to the point of distraction. Noah had God’s favor, yet he was made the joke, ridiculed for years as he built the Ark while no sign of a great flood was seen. Joseph had God’s favor, and his brothers were jealous of him, sold him into slavery where he was wrongly accused and spent years in prison.

Mary is a continuation of these with God’s favor. She and the others teach that God’s favor has nothing to do with man’s favor. She shows that when you have God’s favor, he may very well ask you to do something that the rest of the world will look down on. You may be asked to do something that will get you ridiculed, questioned, ignored by family and friend. I can see when confronted with this one might say, “I’ll pass,” but see how Mary responds.

Mary was between 13 and 16 years old and legally bound to Joseph. She came from a little town in the sticks called Nazareth. The angel Gabriel is telling this young girl from nowhere, “You, an unknown girl from an unknown place, unmarried and a virgin, you are going to give birth to God’s son. And it will change every aspect of your life. It will take away your peace, your friendships. It will bring you great joy, but ultimately almost unbearable grief.” Think Mary was afraid? I’d be terrified.

My grandfather came to this country when he was, I believe 16, maybe 18. He didn’t know anyone except his uncle. He knew he wouldn’t see his parents or siblings again. I can’t imagine the bravery in that man. And yet what he went through is pale compared to what Mary is going through.

               Luke 1:38, “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered, ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” Mary didn’t give a weak nod. She didn’t whisper a barely audible “yes.” Mary bowed her head to God and boldly said, “Let it be done with me.”

This is no simple “yes.” When her pregnancy would be found out she would be labeled an adulteress. She could be taken to a public place, have her clothes torn, she could have her hair let down in the way prostitutes wore their hair. She would be mocked and publicly humiliated and could even be put to death. Yet knowing this, she stood there and said, “God’s will be done.” This woman should give us strength and inspiration.

How many Christians when asked about their faith, give a weak, almost whispered response because they don’t want to be mocked? How many Christians look the other way when they see an injustice because they don’t want to be persecuted? How many Christians go to church on Sunday but don’t do God’s work with others during the week because they don’t want to be inconvenienced? Christians don’t have to be perfect; Christians won’t be perfect. But when faced with a situation to do God’s work, Christians should look to Mary before they make excuses why they can’t do what God asks.

Luke 1:34, “’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel.” In her heart, Mary already knew what her answer would be. Her question was not questioning God; it was human curiosity. God works with all of us; he moves us to different places. He introduces us to people we never knew. God works at getting our attention, he tries to give us our moment in his plan. God gave Mary her moment and she walked boldly into it. How many Christians does God lead up to their moment and they shy away from it? How many Christians say, “God, you have no idea how complicated this is going to be for me, how many problems this is going to cause.” “God, I need more time to look this over, time to start planning to do it in the future.” “God, you want me to curb my anger, to stop my narcissistic tendencies?” “God, you have no clue how hard my life will be if I give up my vices.”

Phillip Yancey is an American author who writes about spiritual issues. He is one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors, and he wrote “Often a work of God comes with two edges, great joy, and great pain. And in that matter-of-fact response, Mary embraced both. She was the first person to accept Jesus on his own terms, regardless of the personal cost.”

Luke 2:7, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” Colossians 1:18, “…he is the beginning, the first born from among the dead.”

Jesus, first born son, first resurrected.” Mary, first to accept Jesus and the cost of doing God’s will. Jesus as the first leads us from the grave and into salvation. Mary                    as the first, leads us to Christ, and a life dedicated to God.

The account of Jesus’ birth gives us hope; Christian hope which is a confidence in the future and in our salvation because God sent us a savior. And intimately intertwined in Jesus’ birth story is Mary, not just because of the physical birth, but because of what she gives us.

Life may be difficult. You may think you’re unheard or unseen in the world, but you have God’s favor. By accepting Jesus, your life will be enriched in ways you can’t imagine.

Mary shows us, have your eyes open. God’s favor may come with a request of you, and it may not make your life any easier. She shows us it’s alright to admit our concerns and questions, God will answer yours like he answered Mary’s.

To all people, to all Christians; take inspiration and strength from Mary. It may not be easy, but accept Christ and say yes to God, regardless the cost.

Amen