What do you do when God asks something of you and you're not ready? Mary wasn't ready either. She had questions, doubts, and every reason to say no. But she said yes anyway — before the clarity came.
This Advent sermon from Luke 1 explores the difference between doubt that's a wall and doubt that's a door, and why faith doesn't require certainty. Just trust. Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're just checking this out for the first time, there's something here for you.
SAY YES SCARED (Luke 1:26–38) "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to
me be fulfilled." What Happened to Your Questions? Somewhere along the way, we stop asking hard
questions—not because we found answers, but because we got tired or scared, and the questions don't go away, they just get quieter.
Mary's Sharp Questions — Luke 1:28–34
Luke 1:28–34 (NIV) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus..." "How will this be," Mary asked, "since I am a virgin?"
Two Kinds of Doubt — Luke 1:18 vs. Luke 1:34
Luke 1:18 (NIV) — Zechariah "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
Luke 1:34 (NIV) — Mary "How will this be," Mary asked, "since I am a virgin?"
Faith in Stages — Luke 1:29–38 Mary's faith happened in stages: first greatly troubled and skeptical (v. 29), then asking questions (v. 34), then receiving more information, then surrendering (v. 38)—that's how it works for most of us. Notice what Mary is not saying: she's not saying "It all makes sense now!" or "I love this plan!"—she's saying "I still don't understand everything, but I'm in. I'll trust. I'll follow."
Clarity Comes After Obedience — Luke 1:46–49
Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name."
She didn't get more answers; she got more of God—she experienced his love in a way she couldn't have while standing still. That's how love works: you don't wait until you fully understand someone to trust them; you step toward them, and in the closeness, you discover who they really are.
1:29 But she was vexed by this word and was considering what sort of greeting this might be. Luke has no interest in the extraordinary aspects of the visit. It is the angel’s word, not his appearance, that causes Mary’s consternation. Fitzmyer argues from the Jewish tradition that males extended no greetings to women (b. Qidd. 70a), and therefore she would be perplexed that someone who was not a woman greets her. While that may be true, her vexation may simply confirm that God’s direct intervention is always unexpected, perplexing, and potentially disturbing. In this scene, the angel will clarify what this visitation means, but he does not disclose everything that will happen to her. Mary will spend most of the infancy narrative in a state of wonderment and must ponder the stupendous events without an angelic interpreter (2:19, 51). The angel also does not unveil the full picture of what this child will do or what will be done to him. That would have been too overwhelming. -David E. Garland
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO Mary parallels the announcement to Zechariah, but the differences are also significant. Whereas the first announcement takes place in the temple in the center of Israelite culture, this one takes place in an obscure Galilean village much to the north of the capital. The humble nature of the announcement parallels the humble nature of Jesus’ birth and ministry. Whereas the announcement about John involves a man, the one about Jesus involves a woman. This is significant because it reflects the gender diversity of such birth announcements or inquiries about births in the Old Testament (e.g., Abraham, Rebekah, the wife of Manoah). In addition, the perspective differs from Matthew, who tells Joseph’s story (Matt. 1:18–25). Everything about the birth echoes the later words of Paul, that Jesus’ life reflected the humility of “emptying himself” as he took on humanity (Phil. 2:5–11).
The announcement in Nazareth shows that Mary came from humble, agrarian roots. Galilee was not a respected region. It was hardly the expected locale for one sent from God (John 7:41). Gabriel, the same angel who spoke to Zechariah, brings the divine message. Luke identifies Mary as a virgin, engaged to Joseph; that is, she was pledged to him sometime in the previous year. A Jewish betrothal involved two steps: the formal engagement including a contract and exchange of a bridal price, and then about a year later, a wedding (Deut. 22:23; m. Ketub. 4:4–5). Mary’s age is not given, but in this culture she could be as young as twelve. It is Joseph who is tied to the house of David in this text. - Darrell L Bock
We can trust God to perform his promises. He will do it at his own time and in his own way, but it will come to pass. If God has such integrity, we as his children should imitate that character and be true to our word. In a culture where lies are often seen merely as “half truths,” this revelation of character is important. On the other hand, Mary reflects the proper response of anyone who has been called by God with no credentials other than availability and a responsive heart. She is the Lord’s servant, and so are we, if we know him. God’s servants have the right attitude and perspective to accomplish great things for him if they say: “Use me as you will. I will not refrain from serving because I do not feel qualified or usable.” Behind the availability to service is an attitude that trusts God for direction and enablement. God has called all believers to minister to the body (Eph. 4:7–16), and he does not call us to a task he will not prepare us to perform. With God’s call comes a need to be responsive to his leading. Submitting to God’s will means realizing how that road is best traveled. Service is generally given low ratings in our world; we prefer to have other people serve us. This perspective tends to make us focus on ourselves and, in fact, often subverts one of the activities that can bring the most satisfaction. If God has created us to be his servants and “vice regents” on the earth, as Genesis 1 suggests by saying we are created in God’s image to subdue the earth, then when we simply serve ourselves, we lose an important part of who we are to be. – Darrell L. Bock
Pastor Sam Sutter //Sam@bbcconline.org
