Sometimes All It Takes is Obedience

Mary said, “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”  Then the angel went away.  Luke 1:38 NCV

If all our responses could be this one, the world would be a much different place.  [Sigh] But it’s not, so I’ll continue my blog.

Mary was young and female—used to obeying.  That made it easier for her, right?  I mean, it’s harder for us with today’s problems.  Do I think that?  No, I disagree.  Yes, she was female and obedience was expected.  Outward obedience that is.  But what about the heart?  Just because a girl is outwardly obedient, does that mean her inner being says “yes”?  GOD spoke many times about outward obedience but inward rebellion.  HE desires obedience flowing from inward faith.  Not compliance due to coercion.

For I desire steadfast love [mercy] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of GOD rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 ESV

Marrying age for Mary’s contemporaries was about thirteen to sixteen years old.  Young indeed.  Because Mary was young, would that make her immediately compliant?

Mark Twain once said… “When a child turns 12 you should put him in a barrel, nail the lid down and feed him through a knot hole. When he turns 16, plug the hole!"

I’m sure Mark Twain was alone in his thoughts on adolescence, right?  But I suppose the author to this quote agreed with him:  “Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young.”  And I guess the author of this one also agrees: “raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-o to a tree.”  In all honesty, any person who has spent a microsecond with a tween or teen immediately understands these sayings.

Adolescence is a survival game, for the parents as much as the child.  It was back then and it is today.  There are different challenges from then to now.  But one thing has remained constant--struggle.  It goes by different names but it is all the same: challenges, difficulties, turbulence.  Spent time with an adolescent?  Remember being one?

Cue Mary.  She walks into this turbulent time of life.  She’s engaged.  And an angel visits her with strange words.  Okay, an angel visiting her is strange enough. But he does tell her an odd thing.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the LORD is with you; blessed are you among women!”  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and considered what manner of greeting this was.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with GOD.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a SON, and shall call HIS name JESUS.  He will be great, and will be called the SON of the HIGHEST; and the LORD GOD will give HIM the throne of HIS father David.  And HE will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of HIS kingdom, there will be no end.”  Luke 1:28-34 NKJV

Mary has a conversation with Gabriel as to the whys and wherefores before she finally says “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”  Then the angel went away (Luke 1:38 NCV).

What does simple trust and obedience to GOD mean for us today?  Maybe it was a blessing Mary was young and didn’t fully understand what she would endure.  An engaged woman having a baby?  Not treated well (most were stoned—the heavy rock throwing kind).  But Mary trusted GOD without railing against HIM for the unfairness of what she would endure.  But as I type that, I realize I don’t fully understand what GOD has for me either.  Is that a blessing as well?  I hold firmly to the truth that GOD is good.  But do I trust HIM to bring the good to fruition?  Or do I settle for mediocrity now because I don’t want to endure the struggle for the really good that comes later on?

C.S. Lewis holds that people are too easily satisfied.  Yes, we settle for less because we cannot see the fullness to come.  Or we do not trust HIM to hold our best interests at heart.  Or we just get impatient.  “I want no bumpy ride, let me sit in the mud versus traveling to the beach.  Yes, the beach is great but I might hit a bump along the way…”

Mary trusted GOD.  She did not fully understand what was to come.  But she knew GOD wanted only good for her.  And she answered, simply “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”

If you believe GOD is good and wants only the best for you, then why not try Mary’s response today?  I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!

We interrupt this life to bring you… A KING!

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After HIS mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Matthew 1:18 NKJV

People complain (myself included) that tragedy strikes at the worst time.  All right, I agree that if we had to pick, there is never a good time for tragedy.  “I’ll pass on tragedy today, but a double serving of mercy with a side of blessings and hint of protection thrown in” describes my consumer tainted Theology quite well.  But doesn’t it seem that when things are at their worst, even more is piled on?

I think that happens with the good as well.  Do we expect to receive GOD’s blessings?  I don’t.  I’m always shocked.  I pray.  I rail.  I cry out.  And when I receive a wonderful blessing from GOD, my response?  I’m not expecting it.  “Oh, hey, this is great, I guess YOU were listening.  Wow, imagine that.”  Oh, me of little faith.

Joseph was a carpenter, soon-to-be husband.  We know that his ancestor was King David—how cool is that!  But it didn’t help much in the money department.  How do I know?

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest… And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons… Leviticus 12:6-8 KJV

When the baby was born, what did Mary and Joseph bring?  The Law of the LORD also says that parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons.  So that is what Mary and Joseph did (Luke2:24 CEV).  Very poor indeed.

So Joseph was going about his life, wanting to get married, have a family.  BAM!  “Census time—register in your hometown.  It’s time to stand up and be counted.  Do it or die.”  So Joseph and Mary trotted off to Bethlehem.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that before they got married and left for Bethlehem, Joseph’s finance was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit?  The WORD is entirely too understated.  Found?  Like she was lost and then “she’s having the SON of GOD.  Yea!  It’s party time.”  Found, understatement, indeed.  Or this verse; And GOD said, Let there be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3 KJV).  Really?  When I think on these verses and others, I can only say, really?  It just wasn’t that difficult for GOD to accomplish?  I guess not…

But enough with my digressions.  Joseph, going about his life, finding his finance pregnant with NOT his child, decides to get rid of her without the violence.  He’s trying to get his life back on track, such that it can be put back on track.  Does GOD help him?

While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the LORD cam to him in a dream.  The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the HOLY SPIRIT.  Go ahead and marry her.  Then after her baby is born, name HIM JESUS, because HE will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:20-21 CEV

No, GOD derails his life even further.  Does HE let Joseph put away a wife that is bearing a child that is NOT his?  No.  Joseph is called to raise that child.  The SON of GOD.  Will JESUS have a stamp on HIS forehead, proving to everyone that HE is the SON of GOD?  No.  Some believe.  Most do not.  Joseph, while being called to do GOD’s work, endures the pain of others believing he is a liar.  Just as others did not believe or understand JESUS.

And HE [JESUS] began to say to them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  So all bore witness to HIM, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of HIS mouth.  And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”  Luke 4:21-22 NKJV

Did Joseph understand the blessing that interrupted his normal life?  He probably didn’t have a clue.  Or maybe just a glimpse.  Why do I say that?  A twelve year old JESUS…

When his parents found HIM, they were amazed.  HIS mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!”  JESUS answered, “Why did you have to look for me?  Didn’t you know that I would be in MY FATHER’s house?”  But they did not understand what he meant.  Luke 2:48-50 CEV

The point to this post?  Joseph had his life interrupted by what appeared to be a tragedy.  A pregnant finance.  NOT his child.  And probably not on Joseph’s timetable.  Instead, it was the greatest blessing ever given.  JESUS.  HIS power will never end; peace will last forever.  HE will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong.  HE will always rule with honesty and justice.  The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.  Isaiah 9:7 CEV

No, I do not like tragedies.  But I do like blessings.  I need to keep my eyes open and be ready for when they come.  Will I let them derail my life or put me back on track with HIM?  GOD is good.  HE gave us the single greatest blessing ever known two thousand years ago.  But it did not end there.  HE promises us more blessings to come.

Will you be ready?