Fully Surrendered
In Luke chapter 1, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the temple and declares that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son and are to call him John, which literally means “Jehovah’s gift.” He will be used mightily by God to herald the first coming of Christ and to preach true repentance.
Yet, in the midst of this glorious declaration regarding John’s promised birth, Zechariah says to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” Because of their old age and his wife’s barrenness, he doubted God’s promise. Even though he knew that almost two thousand years earlier, Abraham and Sarah were blessed by God with a child, and even though he was standing before an angel of the Lord, Zechariah still wanted a sign! Such unbelief was not taken lightly, and he was made mute until his son was born. (I’m sure his wife didn’t mind that!)
In the same chapter, Gabriel then goes to Mary and declares that she will have a son and will call Him Jesus. He will be the Promised Messiah, the Glorious Redeemer of the world, and “will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Every Jew knew of the miraculous birth of Isaac—how his mother and father were both past ninety when he was born. Yet, it was unheard of for a virgin to have a baby! Therefore, Mary asks the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” It might appear that Mary also doubted God’s promise, but her question did not stem from disbelief in God’s power. In fact, verse 45 declares that she was blessed for believing. Mary was simply wondering how God’s promise would be fulfilled, given that she was a virgin. Gabriel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
What is amazing is Mary’s response to the angel’s statement. Verse 38 says, “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” This was complete availability to God’s will. Though she wondered how she could give birth as a virgin, she did not ask for a sign as Zechariah did. She was wholly willing to accept whatever God called her to do. This is what sets Mary apart from so many others. Such a willing and trusting attitude is the daily calling for every child of God. Have you come to the place where you can truly say, “God, whatever you call me to do, wherever you send me, and to whomever you lead me to share Your word—I am willing. I am available”?
