Holy Boldness

in her old age, adding, encouragingly, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (v. 37)

How to Receive a Word from the Lord

After this simple explanation and encouragement, Mary ex claimed, “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word.” (v. 38). This has got to be one of the most courageous responses ever given to the Lord. There was no precedence in the scrip tures for a virgin birth. An obscure text in Isaiah 7 gives a veiled reference to it. What Gabriel proposed to Mary was something never considered before among men until his words reached Mary’s ears. But Mary, with only the most basic of explanations concerning the mystery, said she was willing and in a dramatic simple statement presented herself before the Lord. This is the way to receive a word from God; with meekness and humility, we must invite God’s word to come to pass in our own lives even if we do not understand it. The nature of a prophetic word of God is that its implications, like icebergs, are mostly hidden from view. The significant part of Mary’s response is that the word’s fulfillment could not come into being without her very real and profound involvement. It is one thing to believe that a prophecy is going to come to pass. It is another thing when that word’s fulfillment depends upon your willingness to accommodate its coming with your own body. The angel’s word to Mary could not have been more personal. It involved her intimately and directly. Divine initiatives must have someone’s cooperation. This is why trust is so critical to everything that God does in and through man. Perhaps Mary was too dumbfounded by the encounter to have conceived of all the implications of her agreement and willingness to be used in such a way. There were certainly many details and situations for which she received no instruction. Did she think of what it would mean for her to become pregnant before she and Joseph were married? Apart from the supernatural aspect, consider the social factors. In the short run, it meant that there would be questions that could not be answered, circum stances that betrayed any explanation. It meant misunderstanding and perhaps shame and embarrassment. Nevertheless, through this response, Mary was utterly submitting herself to the will of God and all its conse-

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