Luke 1:26-27, 30-31, 38
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Mary obediently accepted the angel’s message and became the mother of God’s Son.
What a lovely story.
And what a terrible cost to pay for obedience. We don’t hear about Mary’s family in the Bible, but there was a good chance she was ostracized and ignored once her pregnancy was obvious. Her husband almost ditched her. Can you imagine what the neighbors did and said? Plus there are the basic risks of being pregnant and giving birth.
Mary had to count the cost of following God’s plan. I’m sure she didn’t take the angel’s proposal lightly, and I’m sure she knew at least some of the risks she was taking. All this was before she knew King Herod would come after her family and they would escape to Egypt or that her baby would end up treated as a criminal on a Roman torture device.
We don’t like to think about the rest of the story in the afterglow of the candles and Silent Night. But Mary was willing to take on serious risks. The verdict for adultery and pregnancy outside marriage was death by stoning. Before any other parts of the story, Mary knew that she could face death by saying yes to God’s messenger.
Mary was brave. Mary was obedient. Mary was afraid, but Mary counted the cost and still said yes.
What can we learn from Mary’s example for our lives today? What costs do we face for following Jesus? Sometimes, we have to change our routines and make room for other people in our lives. Sometimes, we have to be vulnerable and share our story of how Jesus came into the brokenness of our lives and healed us.
The cost of following Jesus is different for each of us. The risks change day by day, and we never know when a messenger from God will show up and alter our personal plans.
Taking time to pray and read or listen to God’s word every day is how we prepare ourselves. Jesus invites us to “come, follow me,” and our daily practices of praying, studying, serving, giving, and sharing our faith get us in shape to face whatever proposal God sends us.
As we wrap up one year and prepare to welcome a new year, let us also prepare to welcome a new request from God. Let us be ready, like Mary, to count the cost and say yes when God comes knocking on our door. Amen.
Pastor Anna-Lisa Hunter
December 26, 2023
