Mary's Response to Gabriel

Skeptics, including some theologians of Christendom, (not Christians) have a hard time believing that a virgin could give birth. For all their education, they fail to grasp a simple truth. As Gabriel put it, "with God no declaration will be an impossibility." (Luke 1:37) Mary accepted Gabriel's words as truth, for she was  a young woman of great faith. However, that faith was not gullibility. Like any reasoning person, Mary needed evidence on which to base her faith. Gabriel was prepared to add to her store of such evidence.  He told her about her elderly relative Elizabeth, long known as a barren woman. God had miraculously enabled her to conceive! 

Now what would Mary do?  She had her assignment before her and had evidence that God was going to do all that Gabriel had said. We should not assume that this privilege presented no fears, no hardships.  For one thing, she had her engagement to Joseph to consider. How could their marriage proceed when he found out about her pregnancy?  For another thing, the assignment itself may have seemed a daunting responsibility. She was to carry the life of the most precious of all of God's creatures-his own beloved Son!  She would have to care  for him when he was a helpless infant and protect him in a wicked world. Indeed, a weighty responsibility! 

The Bible shows that even strong, faithful men have sometimes hesitated to accept challenging assignments from God. Moses protested that he could not speak fluently enough to act as God's spokesman.  (Exodus 4:10) Jeremiah objected that he was "but a boy," too young to take on the task God assigned him.  (Jeremiah 1:6) And Jonah ran away from his assignment! (Jonah 1:3) What about Mary?  

Her words echo through the ages in their simply humility and obedience. She said to Gabriel:  "Look!  Jehovah's slave girl!  May it take place with me according  to your declaration." (Luke 1:38)  A slave girl was the lowliest of servants; her life was entirely in the hands of her Master, Jehovah.  She knew that she was safe in his hands, that he is loyal  to those who are loyal to him, and that he would bless her as she did her best with this challenging assignment. -Psalm 18:25. 

Sometimes God asks us to do what may seem difficult, even impossible, in our eyes.  However, in his Word he gives us ample reasons to trust him, to place ourselves in his hands as Mary did.  (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Will we? If we do, he will reward us, giving us reasons to build even stronger faith in him. 

Next time: The Visit With Elizabeth

From the Watchtower magazine, 2008