Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her. Amplified Bible (AMP)
If you grew up as a child of the 60's and 70's when you read Mary's response to the angel "let it be" the song by the Beatles with that title may have come to mind (maybe, maybe not). As the lyrics to the song say, Mary, "speaking words of wisdom" said "let it be". But reading that simple yet profound response is one of the most remarkable statements or aspects of the Christmas story. The enormity of the situation cannot be lost. The angel, a messenger from God, speaking to her, telling her of something unbelievable that would happen to and through her and then her response shows a faith, a trust and a character beyond her years.
That response is the attitude of a true, devoted servant. It can also be thought of as a prayer, and as such it is clear, concise, compact while being profound and perhaps the greatest display of worship in the Christmas story. It is a prayer offered in such a way that Mary would remain open to the possibilities of what God would do in and through her.
It is also a call, a challenge for us, if we are Christ followers, servants of the Most High, to respond to God in the same way. It may be in regards to an opportunity in every day life, or it may be in the midst of the trial of our life, but it is offering up to God accepting His will in the situation. Sure, our desire may be for healing, for deliverance, but the attitude is the same no matter what, Lord let it be according to your will and for your honor and glory.
John Piper has said "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him". It is at the heart of Mary's response in this verse, may it be the attitude of our hearts, "ready to serve" (The Message) today and in this Christmas season.
Luke 1:37-45
The Message (MSG)
36-38 "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."
And Mary said,
Yes, I see it all now:
I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.
I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.
Then the angel left her.
Blessed Among Women
39-45 Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,
You're so blessed among women,
and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!
and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!
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