As I ponder those words to Mary, I am reminded that we as followers of Christ do have some things important with Mary. The key characteristic of Mary was that she was going to bring forth the Messiah to the world. It was through her that the world was going to meet their savior. She was going to give birth to the Messiah. Of course, we are not pregnant with the Christ child, but let me remind you that we are Christ's ambassadors and God is making his appeal to the world through us. 2 Cor. 5:18
Please also consider that these two amazing statements that God can make about followers of Jesus today. 1. You are Highly Favored and 2. The Lord is with You. Wow!!!! What could be greater than that. And I love Mary's response. She was greatly troubled. That shows her true, genuine humility. She knew her shortcomings and failures and she still believed the word of the Lord. Let me encourage you to do the same. Walk in humility and look at yourself soberly (Romans 12:3) and believe that the favor of God is on you and that the Lord is with you and He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Indeed, she is an example to all of us who come after her. It is a part of the understanding of the "fullness of time" that God was waiting for a woman humble, pure, and holy enough to be given the raising of His Son. The Most Holy Theotokos (God-bearer) was that woman and we are all forever in her debt for so surrendering her life to God that He could use her to manifest Himself. No wonder all generations will call her blessed!
ReplyDeleteWe have many prayers to the Theotokos but the most common and my favorite is "More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim. Without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify you!"
We all, through baptism, are given the task of carrying the Lord in our heart and in some sense we are bearing God to all the world. Again, the Theotokos becomes our example as the one who's womb was "more spacious than the heavens."
It is especially in this time of anticipation and longing for the revealing of God in the Incarnation that she is of special inspiration to all of us. May we be worthy of her legacy!
Most Holy Theotokos, pray to God for us sinners!
(This subject gets me very excited, can you tell? ;) )
Ben, thanks for those great words. Mary is awesome. Unfortunately, as a reaction to the Catholic view of her, the protestants have often taken the other extreme and missed how special she is/was.
ReplyDeleteif some angel showed up and was like, "Hey, guess what?" I think it would be essential for him to also tell me that God is with me. Otherwise, I'd probably be like,"Um, no, someone else can do that." But God being with her changes everything. She then can go through it with His favor.
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