How to Respond to the Unexpected and Unknown

Dec 24

As I post this blog, we are anticipating Christmas, which can bring joy but also anxiety.

As an unmarried woman in a shame-based culture, Mary may have felt both of those emotions and many others as she anticipated the birth of her first child, Jesus. But how did she respond to an unexpected change in life?

In the previous blog, we focused on Mary’s amazing encounter with the messenger Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38. He tells her that God is leaning toward her with kindness and that she will be pregnant. At this point, she is a virgin betrothed to Joseph, and culture dictates that they can’t even spend time together alone.

Understandably, Mary is confused and asks how this is going to happen. The angel tells her that the Holy Spirit will come on her and the power of the Most High will cover her. (Luke 1:35)

Instead of naming the baby after his father, Joseph, she will name her son Jesus. And, by the way, He will be the Son of God.

Surprise!

And Gabriel finishes…Elizabeth, your elderly relative who hasn’t been able to have children for decades, is now six months pregnant. “For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37 BSB)

Mary didn’t crumble under the pressure of unexpected news. She merely says, “I am the Lord’s servant, ... May it happen to me according to your word.” Then Gabriel exits.

The Greek word for servant, sometimes translated as handmaid or handmaiden, comes from a word that means to tie or bind. Mary tied herself to God; she surrendered herself and her goals to Him.

The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible tells us that at that time, calling yourself a servant meant choosing to meet the master's standards and having gratitude. Mary is grateful to be a part of God’s plan.

After Gabriel leaves, Mary is quickly on her way to visit Elizabeth. Some scholars say she hurries because she wants to see for herself if Elizabeth is pregnant, but I disagree. Mary believes she will become pregnant (Luke 1:45), so it doesn’t seem that she would doubt that Elizabeth is also pregnant.

Mary is heads to a town in the hill country of Judah about 100 miles away and a week’s journey, depending on the land and road.

As a young teenage woman in a Jewish culture, she is not allowed to travel alone. Mary’s family probably arranges for her to travel with others headed that way, possibly using the Roman road system. (CBSB)

We don’t know exactly where Elizabeth and Zechariah live, but it’s near Jerusalem, where Zechariah serves as a priest at the temple. It's also near Bethlehem, which is only about five miles away from Jerusalem.

When Mary arrives, Luke says she enters Zechariah’s home. She greets Elisabeth, which an important part of their culture.

Since they know each other well, a greeting probably includes kissing, hugs, and spoken blessings. They might say, “Shalom to you.” Shalom means health, prosperity, and peace. It’s like saying, “May God cause all to be well with you.”

The moment Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist in utero) leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

The scripture isn’t clear about this, but I believe that since baby John is inside Elizabeth, he is also filled with the spirit. It fulfills Gabriel’s promise to Zechariah in Luke 1:15 that John will be filled with the Holy Spirit before he is born.

Elizabeth shouts, “You are the most blessed woman ever, and your baby is blessed too!” (Luke 1:42 JMV) This is a pretty amazing statement since no one has told Elizabeth.

Elizabeth continues speaking, “Why am I so honored to have the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your voice, the baby inside of me jumped.”

Elizabeth is six months pregnant, and the internet tells me that her baby’s face is fully formed with eyelids that are shut, eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair.

And that sweet baby can hear the air Elisabeth exhales, her stomach rumbling from hunger, her voice, and very loud sounds. Elizabeth and Mary were probably excited to see each other and share their good news!

Elizabeth continues: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45. BSB)

When Mary faces this unexpected change in her life, she has a choice. She could be angry or resentful, knowing that it would bring literal pain to herself and her family.

She could focus on all that is out of control, processing her emotions of her fear, anxiety, worry, or doubt with Elizabeth.

But Mary chooses to praise God.

In many translations, the heading for this section of scripture says, “Mary’s Song.” Did she sing? The original Greek word means said not sang, but her words are similar to the format of a psalm, which explains why scholars consider it a song.

Whether it is a prayer, poem, or hymn of praise, the way it is delivered isn’t as important as what Mary says.

The next ten verses are like a colorful patchwork quilt of Israel’s past and God’s faithfulness. Each verse in Mary’s song is a nearly word-for-word quote from the Old Testament, and the references are given in parentheses.

There are two parts to Mary’s song: her praise to God for His blessings to her personally and Mary’s praise to God for His blessings to Israel.

The first section begins with Luke 1:46:
“Then Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies, or glorifies, the Lord, (Psalm 34:2-3) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!’”

Mary's song is often called The Magnificat, which is the Latin word for glorifies. The Greek word for magnifies means to make or declare great; to enlarge.

Magnify reminds me of a magnifying glass, which makes everything look bigger. When you magnify God, he becomes bigger too, so everyone can see Him more clearly.

Mary calls her baby her Savior. There are Old Testament prophecies about a Messiah who will be a Savior (Is. 11:1-9), but Mary is the first one to call Jesus a Savior--her Savior.

Continuing with verse 48, Mary says, “‘For He has looked with favor on (or is mindful of) the humble state of His servant. (Ps 138:6) From now on all generations will call me blessed.’”

“‘For the Mighty One has done great things for me (Psalm 71.19). Holy is His name (Psalm 111:9).’”[Emphasis is in the original language]

The Greek word for mighty is the root word of our words dynamite and dynamo. God has the power and the ability to make things happen!

Now, Mary shifts her praise to God for what He has done for her nation and people, Israel.

“‘His mercy extends to those who fear Him (Psalm 103:11), from generation to generation (Exodus 20:6). He has performed mighty deeds with His arm (Ps 98:1); He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts (Psalm 89:10).

He has brought down (The verb tense in the original means she is certain.) rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9), but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful (Psalm 98:3), as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever (Genesis 17:19; Ps 132:11).’’’

Mary understands that her son is the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham. She is saying, THIS is what my people have been waiting for for the past 2000 years!

Mary has every reason to feel overwhelmed, but she doesn’t sound at all disappointed or depressed.

Mary's response models to us how we can position our hearts and respond to unexpected events in our lives.

1. Mary reaffirms her commitment to God.

After Gabriel delivered his unbelievable news, Mary could blame God for ruining her life. Instead, she verbally speaks, I believe reaffirms, her devotion to the God who has just turned her world upside down.

2. Mary realigns her goals with God’s.

By choosing to be a servant, she chooses to make God’s goals her own goals. She submits to His authority—His will done in His way. Her attitude is not resignation or anger, but she chooses to follow God with a heart of gratitude.

3. Mary praises God.

Again, she focuses her attention, and the attention of anyone who can hear or read her words, on the Mighty One who has done great things for her!

She recognizes that this is not all about her. Her son will be the Savior of her people—and the world, but she wouldn’t have known that yet. She reframes what looks like a mess and sees it as God’s mission.

4. Mary relies on God’s Word.

Remember that her praise is based on Old Testament promises and prophecies, as well as praises from the Psalms. When my thoughts are swirling, and I doubt the truth of my thoughts, I read or pray God’s Word. It is always true.

These principles guide us when we, like Mary, find ourselves facing unforeseen circumstances--unexpected expenses, a medical diagnosis, loss of a job, or a family member.

After excitedly waiting for something to happen, things are not working out how you imagined. You thought things would be different. You may feel disappointed, hopeless, and even angry, wondering what the future holds.

Mary might have had these thoughts and emotions too, but she doesn't let them rule her heart. She chooses to tie herself to God as His servant, adopting God’s standards with a heart of gratitude to Him and trusting Him to work out every detail of her future.

As I write this, I’m working through emotions because of unexpected things that have recently happened in my life. This afternoon, I found a quiet space to process and ask God to forgive me for wanting my will more than His.

No matter what craziness is going on in your life, I encourage you to find a quiet moment to still your heart and pray.

Reaffirm your love and trust in God, verbally, if possible. Choose to join Him in doing His will in His way.

And I challenge you to choose praise. Write a psalm (just the words, not the music) using your own words or scripture to praise God for who He is and what He’s done for you, your family, or your nation.

You will magnify whatever you focus on.

If you rehearse your challenges and problems, you magnify them. When you repeat God's praises, you magnify Him.

No matter what time of year you’re listening. No matter the challenge or circumstance, our God is worthy to be praised.

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth
to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:14 NLT

Sources:

The Sixth Month of Pregnancy

The Magnificat

The Discovery Bible New American Standard New Testament Copyright @1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Luke 1:38-55)

Bible Hub for meanings of original words

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Luke 1:38-55)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. (Luke 2:14)

Joy Moore