Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as a family of believers, united by faith and a shared love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here to celebrate His grace, to marvel in His mercy, and to grow in our understanding of His divine plan.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the first chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, verses 18 through 25. The passage reads:

"This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us'). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

In this passage, we are witness to three profound truths: the manifestation of Mary's willingness, the mastery of obedience to God's will, and the mystery of God's plan. These truths are not mere abstract principles, but living realities that have the power to transform our lives if we but let them.

Manifestation of Mary's Willingness

The first aspect of Mary's willingness that we need to consider is her readiness to accept God's will, even when it's unexpected or challenging. This is not a passive acceptance, but an active, intentional choice to align her will with God's. It's a choice that required courage, faith, and humility. It's a choice that set the stage for the miraculous birth of Jesus.

The second aspect of Mary's willingness that stands out is her trust in God's goodness. Despite the potential for misunderstanding and rejection, she trusted that God's plan was for her good and for the good of the world. She didn't demand to know all the details or to understand how everything would work out. She simply trusted that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, had a plan that was worth following.

The third aspect of Mary's willingness is her humility. She didn't see herself as too important or too busy to be used by God. She didn't let her own plans or desires get in the way of God's plan. Instead, she saw herself as a servant of the Lord, ready and willing to do whatever He asked of her.

The fourth aspect of Mary's willingness is her obedience. She didn't just agree with God's plan in theory; she lived it out in practice. She didn't just say yes to the angel; she said yes to God, and she followed through on that commitment, even when it was difficult.

In each of these aspects, we see a picture of true willingness - a willingness that is ready to accept God's will, that trusts in His goodness, that is marked by humility, and that leads to obedience. This is the kind of willingness that God can use to accomplish His purposes in the world. This is the kind of willingness that marked Mary's life, and that made her a fitting vessel for the birth of the Savior.

As we reflect on Mary's willingness, let's ask ourselves: Are we willing to accept God's will, even when it's unexpected or challenging? Do we trust in His goodness, even when we can't see the whole picture? Are we humble enough to see ourselves as servants of the Lord, ready and willing to do whatever He asks of us? And are we obedient, not just in word, but in action?

These are challenging questions, but they are also important ones. Because it's only when we are willing - truly willing - that we can be used by God in powerful, world-changing ways. Just like Mary.

Mastery of Obedience to God's Will

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