Mary: Blessed Beyond Measure

Adele M. Gill

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“…Nothing will be impossible for God…”  Luke 1:37

 

When the angel visited Mary to tell her of God’s plan for her to become the mother of the Messiah, the Most High Jesus Christ, The One who would come to save all of humanity, she initially had some trepidation. Understandably, the angel’s visitation briefly caused her to become fearful. But according to scripture, the angel comforted her saying, “Be not afraid!” This has often been the case in the Bible when God asks things of His people. Bible passages surrounding this event reveal some details of this world-changing event—an event like no other.

 

“Hail favored one, the Lord is with you…but she was greatly troubled…Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God…Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…”

Luke 1:28-31

 

In the very beginning, I’m sure it was hard for Mary to fully grasp God’s plan for her and her life, especially since she was very young, a virgin, and had never had relations with her betrothed, Joseph, or anyone else for that matter. It just did not make sense! I’m sure it seemed impossible to her and Joseph, as she also wondered how it was possible that she had found such extraordinary favor with God. Though she did not fully understand the gravity of what was transpiring, it did not take Mary long to put aside her humanness, and to agree to what God was asking of her, with a resounding, “Yes!” What a tremendous act of faith—one that forever changed the world. When the angel told her how it would come to be, she could hardly contain her joy which may, in part, be why God chose her to be the mother of His Only Son, our Lord and Savior.

 

“The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God…Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word.”   

Luke 1:35-38

Soon after she became pregnant, Mary traveled a distance to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was up in years and had been barren for decades, but was now also unexpectedly pregnant—six months along. Shortly after Mary arrived, Elizabeth felt her baby leap in her womb. Could it be that her son, later to be known as John the Baptist, was the first, besides Mary and Joseph, to recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world in the womb? It is possible. Elizabeth’s could not possibly have known at that time that her own pre-born son would be paving the way in his adulthood, preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry on earth. She stayed there with Elizabeth, and her husband Zechariah for three months before returning home.

 

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

Matthew 9:29

 

It is doubtful that Mary knew the full gravity of what was ahead for her as Jesus’ mother, and for Him. Did she know that Jesus would perform many miracles healing the sick, comfort those who were hurting, feed the poor, cast out demons, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and later, at the age of thirty three die in expiation for our sins? Did she know that she would watch as her son suffered and died, according to scripture for the sins of humanity, with her at his side bearing witnessing to it all? But through her commitment to doing God’s divine will, regardless of the cost, she never wavered right from the start. Though God will never force anyone to do His will, imagine if Mary had declined the job that God asked her to do—to be the mother of Jesus Christ, Our Messiah. But she did not refuse God’s plan. Instead, she celebrated Jesus’ unprecedented life from before conception, and endured His death on the cross, as she stood by Him through it all.

 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on all will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”                             Luke 1: 46-49

 

We are all truly blessed beyond measure by Mary’s saying “Yes!” to God—even through her fear and trepidation. By so doing, she became a vessel of God’s Love for all of time. We are especially blessed by her gift of faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, may we too proclaim and magnify the greatness of the Lord in our own lives, even when we are afraid, uncomfortable, or “out of our comfort zone” with whatever He asks of us. May we grow in faith, praying bold prayers with great confidence, then wait with anticipation see what God will do next in our lives. For scripture tells us:

 

“…Nothing will be impossible for God…”

Luke 1:37

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© Copyright 2021   |   Adele M. Gill

~ About the Author ~

Adele M. Gill is a certified Chaplain, and a graduate of the St. James College Seminary. She is a recipient of the 2021 Firebird Book Award for her life-changing book, ‘How to Go from Broken to Blest.’ Some of her other books include: ‘Classic Reflections,’ ‘Patient Persistence,’  ‘7 Pathways to Hope,’ and ‘From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You.’