Mary – Rejoicing in the Spirit

​Mary’s heart fluttered as she whispered, “I am Joseph’s wife.” As Joseph’s betrothed she could say that. All that was left was the nine months of waiting for when he would come and take her away from her parent’s home and bring her to live with him. Joseph was such a good man. Godly and strong, but gentle and kind.  

 Though barely in her teens, Mary was ready for this transition into womanhood. Her childhood had been poor on the finer things of life but rich in love. Papa was so patient to recount to her the Scriptures and help her commit them to memory, especially her favorites from the Psalms. Her ancestor, King David, had written many of them and she felt a certain connection with him. They offered her much hope and joy in this castaway town of Nazareth.

Just knowing that The Lord gives grace to the humble and holds the proud at arm’s length encouraged her to be grateful even when Mama had to water down their evening meal of lentil stew to feed them all. Mary was reminded many times over the years that the Lord God remembers the poor and lowly.  

In this waiting time Mary prepared herself for life with Joseph and began to accumulate the necessary provisions to set up a proper home. Cooking and household chores would be her full responsibility now, but she’d consider them a joy to do for her beloved.

Thoughts of her future with Joseph preoccupied her mind so much these days that she hadn’t noticed when the angel Gabriel had appeared in the room. Aside from looking unlike anyone she had ever seen, His greeting caused her to freeze in her steps.

“Greetings, O favored one. The Lord is with you.”

Mary’s mind raced to comprehend why the angel was here, speaking to her, as if she were something special. Her legs grew weak at the thought of it. Childhood memories flashed through her mind. She had tried to honor her parents and love the Lord and His Law, but she knew she was far from perfect. Why would he be talking to her in such exalted terms?

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

There was so much to take in. What did it mean?

What could it mean?

As the angel’s proclamation began to sink in, Mary’s thoughts came back to the part about bearing a son. One of the issues during this waiting time after the betrothal was intended to prove that she had kept herself pure and undefiled, according to the Law. For her husband only. And she had remained pure. But now an angel sent from God Himself is telling her that she will conceive and bear a son. Joseph’s son? A firstborn son dedicated to the Lord?

Her voice trembled, “How will this be since I am a virgin?”

Gabriel’s response humbled her heart. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.”

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

This son she is to bear is the holy Child? The Son of God, born to a woman? How can it be that she was chosen for this task? This blessing? This honor?

But then, to hear that cousin Elizabeth was carrying life in her womb at her age was a miracle! How the Lord can surprise us when we think we know the end from the beginning. God is so gracious and merciful!

Had it been a moment ago when Mary had first heard the wondrous voice of the angel? Time was suspended as she considered her reply.  The steady beat of her heart gave her courage as she responded to the charge given her. “Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

Upon her response, Gabriel was gone.

There was only one thing she could think of to do now and that was to go to Elizabeth and talk about angels and babies and what the Lord Almighty might be up to.

Mary had time to ponder these things while she traveled three days from Nazareth to the hill country outside of Jerusalem where Elizabeth and her priestly husband, Zacharias lived. She recalled the encounter with the angel and the promise of God. She searched her memory for the prophecies Papa had told her, about King David’s throne and the Messiah. The more she dwelled on it, the greater her excitement grew to talk with her godly cousin.

Before Elizabeth even had a chance to brew the tea and ask Mary to tell her the news from Nazareth, Mary’s entrance and greeting began a chain of extraordinary reactions that blessed them, both.

Elizabeth’s hand caressed her round belly and then she cried out with a loud voice to Mary, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."

Tears and laughter ensued. Amazed at what just happened they regarded each other for a time. A peaceful, joyous Presence filled the room. All the Scriptures papa had taught her flooded Mary’s mind and she was overwhelmed with the desire to praise The Lord with a song of His promises from His Word, come alive in her.

{In the following verses from Luke 1:46-55 I’ve inserted the corresponding Old Testament references in red.}

Luke 1:46 ¶ And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,
Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
       Psalm 35:9 And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation.
Luke 1:48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
        Psalm 138:6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.
Luke 1:49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
Luke 1:50 "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
       Psalm 103:17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,
Luke 1:51 "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered {those who were} proud in the thoughts of their heart.
       Psalm 98:1 O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
       Psalm 118:15 ¶ The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
Luke 1:52 "He has brought down rulers from {their} thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
         Job 5:11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Luke 1:53 "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.
          Psalm 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.
Luke 1:54 "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,
Luke 1:55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."
           Genesis 17:19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
          Psalm 132:11 The LORD has sworn to David A truth from which He will not turn back: "Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.

Mary’s joy was not found in her heritage or status. It wasn’t based in her accomplishments or plans for the future. She drew her joy from the deep well of God’s Word and found a higher purpose to her life and life-giving.

Although this pregnancy would make tongues wag and suspicions rise, Mary received her mission of serving The Lord with her body, as a willing handmaiden’s calling. Hers was a servant’s response to a good and loving Lord.

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…” 2 Chronicles 16:9 a

When we simply trust God with a wholehearted Yes!, He answers with a resounding AMEN!
I Am with you.

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