South Valley by Cindy Bleuler Tucker
Cottbus This article first appeared in The Chattanooga Valley Preschat, December 2006
Mary was a girl of about 13 or 14. Like most Jewish girls of 1st century Judea, she was betrothed to her future husband. Her betrothed was the carpenter Joseph, a respectable man of like faith. As she went about the business of helping her parent’s household, she probably dreamed of the day she would care for her own home, husband, and children. Perhaps some day she would watch her betrothed teach their little ones the law of the Lord. After all, her fiancé was a descendant of the great King David, a man who loved the Lord Almighty! She faithfully prepared for her long-awaited wedding day.
Then the unexpected happened. Her life was turn upside down.
An angel appeared and told her; yes, she would have a child, and not just any child. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…His kingdom will know no end.” (Luke 1:32-33) She immediately understood that this was going to be a supernatural event. Her response was not, “Oh, Joseph and I are going to have a son that will be a great leader”, but “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” She recognized that God was going to use her in some miraculous way beyond her understanding. The angel continues, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you…the holy one to be born will be called the son of God…for nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36-37)
Mary was about to be an unmarried pregnant girl in 1st century Judea. What would she tell her parents, Joseph? This was not something she could hide for long. She would be disgraced. Joseph might break the engagement, and according to God’s law, be stoned. Surely these thoughts were running through her mind. God was calling her to a very difficult task.
Yet God had equipped her with the faith and grace to believe and answer His call. In faith she understood Egypt, and someday sustain her as she watched her precious Son die a horrific death. This faith would be rewarded the day she saw His full glory as He ascended into Heaven, to return to His Father.
But on this particular day, as she received her call, she simply and faithfully answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)
May we, like Mary, eagerly prepare and await the day we meet our Bridegroom and answer His call.
Even if it turns our world upside down.
