INTRODUCTION
I Am The Lord’s Servant
People give a lot of importance to job titles. One frequent question asked by the HR or the hiring manager is, “What was your last position?.” We love titles. Do you know what title Mary used when the angel Gabriel spoke to her?
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
I AM THE LORD’S SERVANT
Today we are going to look at the infancy narrative – “The annunciation by angel Gabriel to Mary. This passage is going to teach us the cost of true discipleship. “I am the Lord’s Servant”
We have come to a time when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus. This is because God appeared in the flesh in Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
God appeared in flesh and that finds its mention in the scripture in the Gospels. Let’s turn to Luke 1, the infancy narrative in the Bible.
TIMING AND BALANCE OF POWER
Jesus comes to inaugurate the kingdom of God in a very humble way. When he comes, there are other strong human leaders, and we see that here;
In the days of Herod the King Luke 1:5
Decree from Caesar Augustus (Octavian) 2:1 (27 BC-AD 14)
They are the powerful images within world history. In effect, Mary is a favored woman to carry the pregnancy with the Messiah into a world in need of a Saviour.
BACKGROUND
Out of the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John); Luke seems to have a special emphasis on women. These opening chapters of Luke provide a tryptic (works intended to be held together) of women in the stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna. These three women interpret one another and the centerpiece is Mary.
Luke 1:26-27
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Mary will be about 12 years old, about to turn 13. Custom is such that she could be betrothed at 12 and marriage can be consummated at 13. Now if you are living in the 21st Century, then you are thinking that 13 is too young.
Presently, the age of consent in India according to the POSCO Act 2012 is 18 years old.
In 1860, the age of consent according to the Indian Penal Code was 10 years.
The British raised the age of consent, The Age of Consent Act, 1891 to 12 years from 10.
Until 1880 the age of consent in all states of the US but one was 10, in the state of Delaware it was 7.
So then you should appreciate the fact that in the ancient Jewish culture in which Joseph and Mary lived, there was a level of decency to say the woman could be given out to marriage at 12 but the marriage cannot be consummated until 13.
VIRGIN MARY – THE LORD’S SERVANT
Mary is first of all described as a virgin.
Luke 1:27, 34
27 To a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph …. 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The original here is, “Since I have not known a man.”
There is a lot of emphasis on Mary being a virgin. What does the angel say to her then?
Luke 1:28
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
“GREETINGS” TO THE LORD’S SERVANT
Greetings in Latin is Ave, from where we get the term Ave Maria. We think it is just reserved for Mary. Ave is what we call “hi/cheers/rejoice (the NT church said rejoice),” a normal greeting people say to one another.
Many people think these two sentences are a prayer:
Luke 1:28
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:42
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
This is not a prayer. The first is what the angel said to Mary and the second is Elizabeth to Mary.
Luke 1:28
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
“You who are highly favored”: Means not that she is a reservoir of favor or grace but that she is a recipient of amazing grace.
This is how the term is used in other texts:
Ephesians 1:6
….to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given (highly favored) us in the One he loves.
We too are highly favored. That is a wonderful encouragement. But you will see to Mary this is not an encouragement but it is actually very troubling.
So the angel said, “Highly favored.” Then the angel said, “The Lord is with you.”
Again, this sounds like something that is like a compliment. You and I would be encouraged by this statement. If an angel comes and says these things we will take this as natural affirmations. But that is not how Mary takes them.
Luke 1:29
Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
Mary was not troubled at the appearance of the angel but Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
It started the right way, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Why does not Mary get encouraged by this? Why does she get troubled by it?
It is because Mary knows her Bible inside out. See the Magnificat starting in v46:
This is based on Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel, another supernatural birth. Hannah was infertile and could not have a child. Then God blessed her with Samuel, a great figure in the unfolding of Biblical history. Hannah sings a song that is very much like this and has a lot of parallels with it. But Mary does not just use that song, she brings in phrases and lines from more than 15 other OT texts.
This scripture just came out of her heart. Mary is praying scripture. A wonderful model for us to pray scripture. She puts it all together in fresh ways and sings the song.
LORD’S SERVANT IN LEARNING SCRIPTURES
Because Mary knows her Bible so well, she is listening to the words of the angel based on the scripture. She knows that when God says, “I am with you, you are in big trouble.”
That is what God said to Moses in Exodus 3:12 just before he sent Moses from the wilderness back to Egypt to rescue Israel from the bondage of slavery.
I am with you is exactly what the angel of the Lord said to Gideon, Judges 6:12,16. God said this when he was called to deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites with his band of 300 unarmed men with just trumpets, lights, and jars, going against 1,35,000 armed camel-riding Midianites who were experienced in warfare.
I am with you is what God said to Jeremiah, Jer. 1:8. God said this right before he called Jeremiah to the life of a prophet to denounce the whole leadership of Israel, all of its kings, princes, prophets, and priests, and announce the judgment that is about to come to Judah by the Babylonians. It was a message that Jeremiah had to deliver that gave him a prison sentence.
So, no wonder Mary was greatly troubled. The response the angel gave her was not helpful.
Luke 1:30
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
Once again, in the OT, when it takes God to tell you “Do not be afraid,” Humanly speaking there is a lot to be afraid of. That is always the case.
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord before the flood, Gen. 6.
Abraham found favor in the eyes of the Lord, Gen. 18. This is before God could destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
All of these things by someone who knows the Bible as well as Mary would have set off all kinds of alarms. Humanly speaking we would expect what Moses did, “Lord, you’ve got the wrong lady.”
1. THE GOOD NEWS TO THE LORD’S SERVANT
Then comes the good news:
Luke 1:31
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
This is a prophecy from Isaiah 7.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means – God is with us.
To Mary, the angel said, “Give him the name Jesus.” Jesus means “He saves.”
A) GOD IS WITH US TO SAVE US
Matthew puts it together like this:
Matthew 1:21-23
21 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.” 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Jesus is Savior – He will save his people from their sins.
In the OT saviour appears plenty of times, and every time it is a reference to God.
Isaiah 43:11
I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.
Psalm 18:46
David said The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
So when the angel says, “In the town of David a Saviour has been born to you.” In the OT that will always be God. Now it is God with us, Immanuel. Jesus, He is the one who is the Saviour from sin.
When Jesus was taken to the temple in Luke 2:
Luke 2:28-32
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
B. JESUS THE SAVIOUR GIVES
Peace
Salvation
Light to the Gentiles
Who is Jesus?
Luke 1:32-33
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:34-36
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is Great.
Jesus is given the throne of David.
Jesus is the Holy One.
Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Do not believe anything less. Anything less than this is not Christianity. Anything less is not the word of God.
Jesus talked about Himself when He stood before the religious authorities just prior to his crucifixion and they observed Him, they asked Him:
Luke 22:70
They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”
Our Lord Jesus asked his disciples:
Luke 9:18-20
18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:17-18
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
You must make your choice, whether Jesus is the Son of God or just a man. That is the greatest question the world needs to answer. You can set him aside as any other man, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God.
2. THE COST OF GOOD NEWS FOR BEING AVAILABLE AS LORD’S SERVANT
Mary had to pay a price for her response; “I am the Lord’s Servant”
There is a terrible cost for the Good News, a terrible cost for Mary.
As soon as she brings the baby along to the temple, see Simeon’s announcement:
Luke 2:25-28
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
When Simeon saw this child he was ready to die. But Simeon turns to Mary and tells her:
Luke 2:34-35
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
This was the reward Mary was receiving for saying the words “I am the Lord’s Servant”.
Mary is going to suffer terribly for this wonderful privilege. The fact is, it is a major responsibility to have a child. Even if you get a child the regular way it is going to be a big responsibility. Imagine if you have a child like Jesus. See the price Mary paid, the pain continues at various stages:
Escape to Egypt as a refugee. Mary and her family had to be refugees to Egypt because Herod has commanded his soldiers to kill every child under the age of 2.
Loses Jesus at the temple. At the age of 12, Mary loses Jesus at the temple. But Jesus kind of rebukes her lightly and says:
Luke 2:49
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”, “Didn’t you know that I have to be in my father’s household.”
Every parent runs this problem when they think their kid is going to walk in their way and direction. They would live nearby, and take up the profession you choose for them. But God gives them a different direction for their life as he gave to Jesus now. There is a cost she is paying.
Mary is the one who sees Jesus on the cross. There she is watching her son die. What is the cost of that? Suffering, humiliation, spitting, the crown of thorns, mockery, torture, and finally death by crucifixion. She was told that a sword would pierce her heart right at the beginning of this experience.
Following Jesus is Costly.
Yet, in response to it, Mary says:
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Will you repeat this after me? “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary responds to this awesome message, by giving her necessary permission. There was no way she could make this happen, have a child by herself. What she does is believe the Lord.
In fact, Elizabeth blesses her:
Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Elizabeth blesses Mary for believing this impossible promise. In fact, Elizabeth is tuned to that kind of faith of someone who would actually believe what God says because her own husband did not believe, and remember the judgment of silence to Zechariah.
A. A WILLING SUBMISSION OF THE LORD’S SERVANT
Mary willingly submits to God’s word. She does not accept all of the annunciation with doubt and fear. Mary rejoices in it. She then sings in her Magnificat
Luke 1:46-48
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
Even before the baby is born, Mary has accepted this and she is glorifying God for this very difficult call that she had. No wonder Mary is respected by people around the world, and no wonder the Muslims too love Mary, no woman is mentioned by name in the entire Quran except the virgin Mary, she is mentioned over and over again. Some mosques are even named after her. Islam means submitting to the will of God, and Mary is an example of submission.
Mary not only accepts but she glorifies the Lord for doing it.
How does this apply to us?
This is a prayer that all of us should be praying.
What is the Lord’s prayer?
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
What did the Lord Pray?
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus embracing the call to self-sacrifice, giving up his life for you and for me.
Not bitter resignation, but joyful trust.
Hebrews 12:2
For the joy set before him he endured the cross…
APPLICATION
This is where you get your peace, by depending on God when hard times come to you and when your plans get upset as Mary must have been after she willfully said “I am the Lord’s Servant”.
She knew it would be a stressor to her marriage. It was incredibly difficult to imagine how this would be received by Joseph. She knew this could expose her to public disgrace. Mary knew this would expose her to rumors about her lack of fidelity. She knew the cost. We all have a cost to pay.
Luke Timothy Johnson – “In contrast to Zechariah, we notice, Mary holds no official position among the people, she is not described as ‘righteous’ in terms of observing Torah, and her experience does not take place in a cultic setting. She is amongst the most powerless people in her society; She is in a village called Nazareth she is young in a world that values age; she will only be between 12 and 13 female in a world ruled by men; poor in a stratified economy. Furthermore, she has neither a husband nor a child to validate her existence. That she should have found ‘favor with God’ and be ‘highly gifted’ shows Luke’s understanding of God’s activity as surprising and often paradoxical, almost always reversing human expectations.”
PORTRAIT OF MARY IN THE NARRATIVE
Favored By God Luke 1:30
Thoughtful Luke 1:29; 2:19, 51
Obedient Luke 1:38
Blessed For Believing Luke 1:45
Torah Observer Luke 2:22-51
Was Willing To Pay The Price For Following Jesus.
ILLUSTRATION
Glory and I were married and had settled into good jobs. We are trying to survive with both our income and suddenly we get the good news that a baby is birthed in Glory’s womb, Sam. Now we had to care and provide for a child. After a couple of years, we get our second good news, Grace. We are working hard to make ends meet and raise up our little kids and the time has come for me to leave my job because of the demands of ministry.
Eventually, Glory had to leave her job to meet the demands of God’s work. Until that day, we had our salary to lead a comfortable life in Bangalore. We had company-provided gadgets, internet, insurance, conveyance, annual leaves, bonuses, etc and now we had to totally depend on God. There is a cost to pay. Are we ready to say “I am the Lord’s Servant”?
You now trust God and serve people, then comes the rejection from people. There is a cost to pay, are we ready to say “I am the Lord’s Servant”?
Mary had a cost. But you trust God. You have someone you go to who rules the universe. There is no guarantee that there will be no heartbreak. Doing His will is doing it by trusting Him no matter how hard the experiences are. This applies to every one of us.
Galatians 4:19-20
19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
CONCLUSION
Every Christian in effect is like Mary, Christ is being born in us; not being born as a baby, but transforming us from the inside. Every one of us then has the same calling that Mary had which is essentially to take up your cross and follow him. To change all your priorities and now let Christ be the Lord of your life, the master of your life. The one who tells you what is right and what is wrong, what you can do with your body or not, with your thought life or not, with your life or not. Every one of us has the same challenge and we can respond as Mary did or not.
We can say, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be me as you have said.” Then we can be grumpy, in self-pity, and angry at God because things don’t go our way or we can do as Mary said “I am the Lord’s Servant” and then pray:
Luke 1:46-48
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. Be a Mary-like follower of Christ who says, “I am your servant, may it be to me as you have said.”
LIFE APPLICATION POINTS
a. We have the favor of God.
b. Jesus Is Saviour, Saves People From Their Sins.
c. Jesus Is The Son Of God.
d. Following Jesus Is Costly.
e. God’s Activity As Surprising And Often Paradoxical, Almost Always Reversing Human Expectations.
f. We have a calling to follow the LORD like Mary.
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