Mary (Luke 1:26-49)

Sermon for Milledgeville and Whitestown UMC

Mary (Luke 1:26-49)

Mary finally got her newborn son down for a nap. Her body worn out and her head aching, she leaned back into her husband Joseph. His arms were warm, and the beat of his heart soothed her. Just then, along came a group of shepherds to pay homage to the child messiah. A boy among them said, “I know what the newborn king needs for his birthday, a drum solo!”

 

Our ideas about what happened that first Christmas are left to our imagination. The Bible gives us just enough detail to know the story, and leaves us wanting to know more.

 

In the first century, Jewish families were led by the patriarch. He often prearranged the marriage of his daughters. If that is the case, Mary had little choice in the matter of her marriage to Joseph. Later traditions suggest that Joseph was quite a bit older than Mary, which is why he is absent from the gospel writings after the birth of Jesus. Some have suggested that Mary was as young as 12-13 years old when she was betrothed to Joseph.

 

We can hardly wrap our minds around that. For much of history in the Middle East, girls were considered property. Fathers bartered a bride price from a prospective husband’s family. The bride price was a show of good faith that the husband and his family had the means to care for the bride, who will now be part of the husband’s clan going forward.

 

Mary was betrothed to Joseph, set apart as his future wife. That likely happened when she came to the age of puberty. There was a period of waiting before the marriage was consummated. In all likelihood, Mary was still a teenager when the archangel Gabriel announced to her that she would bear the Son of God.

 

 

Can you imagine what that news must’ve done to her heart? Mary was greatly troubled, completely anxious by the angel’s news. She realizes that her life is going to change forever. Trisha Yearwood has a Christmas song called A Baby Changes Everything. The lyrics give insight to Mary’s burden.

 

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything

 

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she keep his trust?
A baby changes everything

Yes, the pregnancy meant her life was going to forever change. And yet, Mary was a young woman who loved God. She questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The Greek literally says, “In what way can this happen, when I have not known a man.”

 

Her question is slightly different than Zechariah’s question to the same angel 6 months earlier. Gabriel announced that Zechariah’s elderly and barren wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. The old priest asked in disbelief, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” Zechariah wanted proof. Mary wanted to understand. Her response was from curiosity and openness to God, not doubt. She wanted to understand how God would bring about this miraculous birth.

 

 

 

The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would arrive to her, enveloping her in the power of the Most High God. In other words, the presence of God was going to cover her in the shadow of His glory. It sounds like the cloud that covered the top of Mt Sinai, or the cloud that enveloped Mt Tabor at the transfiguration of Jesus. Mary would experience the holy presence of God surrounding her. The child would be a holy child, begotten of God’s own Spirit.

 

Mary knew what the birth of Jesus would mean. It meant scandal, but she knew what others did not. Her child was the Son of God, the anointed Messiah. God was finally fulfilling His promise to give Israel a deliverer king from the house of David. This was good news!

 

Mary responded to the good news in obedience. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

 

I’ve had moments in life when God presented me with news I didn’t want to hear. I didn’t respond in obedience. I struggled with the news. I grieved with all the stages of disbelief, bargaining, anger and depression. And only after a period of wrestling, did I find the grace to surrender. 

 

Mary exemplifies faith. She yielded to God, offering her body for God’s redemptive purpose.

 

Quite often we hear people say that their bodies are their own property, and no one has the right to tell them what they can and cannot do with them. In the realm of body rights, the individual decides who has access to their bodies. The individual decides whether to keep the baby or abort the unborn child. The individual can choose gender identity and body modifications.

 

But in the New Testament we see a very different attitude towards one’s body, one of submission to God. Regarding sexual activity, the apostle encourages the church to offer their bodies to God as an act of worship.

 

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun sexual immorality! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. (1Co 6:15-20)

 

And Paul wrote to the church in Rome,

 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:1-2)

 

Mary exemplifies this kind of faith-informed attitude toward one’s body. She did not consider her body as her own, but freely offered her body to God’s good and redemptive purpose. What would change in our lives if we had the same attitude and offered our bodies to God as an act of worship? Since my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, I’d do a better job of caring for my body, eat right and exercise. Spend more time in meditation. I’d avoid things harmful to the mind and body. And if my body is connected to the body of Christ, then how can I serve the faith community in a way that builds up the Church?

 

Paul says serve with the gifts you’ve been given, and do so with genuine love.

 

 

The birth of Jesus is preceded by many works of the Spirit and of heavenly messengers. When Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, found out she was pregnant, he was going to divorce her quietly. But he was told in a dream not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Mary did nothing indecent. This was an act of God.

 

Mary traveled to see her relative Elizabeth who was 6 months pregnant with John. When Mary greeted Elizabeth upon her arrival, the unborn baby, John, leapt for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. He leapt for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice. Through the Spirit, the baby knew that Christ was near. It would be John’s life mission to herald the good news! Elizabeth called Mary blessed because of her faith and obedience. And Mary broke out in praise, too!

 

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

 

To magnify means to make great! How can you magnify the Lord in your life?

 

Christmas is almost here. May every Christmas song we sing magnify Christ Jesus in your heart. May every act of kindness be an offering of praise to God. And may every sacrifice you make for the sake of the Body of Christ bless you with greater joy as you learn the way of humble submission. Like Mary, let us respond to God’s Spirit, “Here am I, your servant. Let it be with me as you will!