EXPECTATIONS
Luke
1:38: “‘I am the Lord’s servant.’ Mary
answered. ‘May it be to me as you have
said.’ Then the angel left her.”
God’s angel Gabriel just blew Mary’s mind. What he told her was simply too wondrous. She never even heard of angel encounters
before. “Weird” is how she’d probably
describe his first words: “Greetings
you, who are highly favored! The Lord is
with you.”
Why not, “Hi!” or ”Hello,
Mary!” For sure, this was going to be a
weird conversation. After Gabriel broke
his news: 1) You’re going to be with child, 2) a son, 3) name Him Jesus, 4) he
will be great, 5) son of the Most High, 6) given the throne of David, 7) reign
over Jacob forever, 8) never-ending kingdom. … Mary’s only question was, “How
can this be?”
Well…let’s just go with Gabriel’s
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary’s simple reply, “May it be to
me as you have said,” confounds us.
Humans are rarely that
trusting. We demand explanations. Proof.
Maybe Mary was in shock. Wouldn’t
you be after angel visitation? But
no. Mary calmly acknowledged her
position (servant of the Lord), and that she’s okay with whatever God plans for
her. Anyone would have lots of
expectations after hearing Gabriel’s news.
Even we (whom angels don’t often
visit), have lots of expectations. God
Himself says “I know the plans I have for you” in Jeremiah 29:11. Matthew 1:23 says, “they shall call Him
‘Immanuel,’ that means ‘God with us.’" Perhaps, although we cannot see our future in
detail—like Mary—we can accept that sovereign Lord of the universe is in charge? Maybe we can say, “May it be to me as You
say, Lord!”
We can empathize [EM-pa-thiz]
meaning identify with Mary. After getting
a glowing appraisal from a parent, teacher or boss, we know what’s expected
from us…and all that is possible stemming from such endorsement.
And we’re humbled. So when we willingly agree to be God’s servant,
it is simple to admit, “May it be to me as You say, Lord.” Suddenly, all the pressure is off us. Our heavenly Father accepts the
responsibility to fulfill our expectations—in His time.
Mary’s pretty smart! Check out the lesson linked below to see
other expectations.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus is with us (Immanuel) while we
wait expectantly. Mary didn’t need to
know the details, and neither do we.
When did we become sassy kids who demand things done our way on our
timetable? Isn’t “God with us” the best
guarantee?
When Gabriel said, “Nothing is
impossible with God,” that was good enough for Mary.
Is that good enough for you?
Let us speak trust in God
believing in our hearts that He will do as He said.
This devotion is adapted from A Season of Expectations from 2015
Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Santos (Tohono O’odham). December 12, 2015. Wisconsin.
J.D. Griffith
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