June 23 A Savior

Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. An angel from God comes to her. She’s been addressed as “highly favored”. She is uncertain, wondering, “What’s going on here?” Her mind twirls in circles.
     Then she gets the core of Gabriel’s message. What she hears is the answer to what every Hebrew female likely had wondered, “Will it be me? Will I be the one to give birth to our Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means: “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a”. Another way to say it in English is Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua. The name means “Savior”. Gabriel, the angel, just told Mary she will give birth to the Savior. Think of this. I’m in awe the holy God would so personally interact with unholy mankind. I’ll bet Mary was, too.
     What would you do? I think about what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question to release us from worry. There’s “warmth” of release. Our souls experience a cleansing, as a cool shower on a hot summer day. A good feeling flows inside us, as we sense the glow of God’s strong hand upon us. This evokes a, “Thank you, Father.”
     Mary is processing the information. She needs to know more about the task God has given her. But one thing she does know, God has indeed come to express his favor on her. She is truly “highly favored” to be Jesus’ personal human gateway into his creation. 
There is a pleasure in knowing God’s love is truly guiding your life. We’ll see how Mary knows much of God. She worships God. She expresses faith and expectation in his great power and purpose for his people. And now she is coming into a very, very close relationship with him. She will need God’s comforting hands many times in the future. The accusations from Joseph and family, the trip to Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the threats against her son as he debates the Pharisees, the cross and the tomb will bring great trial to this favored Jewish girl.
Still, she trusts and believes in her purposes. Mary understands our lives are not our own as God will use us to demonstrate his glory and salvation in the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.