Luke 1:38

New International Version (NIV)

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

For meditation

1. Have you ever received some news that blew your mind away? Ever been told of something you never imagined possible, but now becoming a reality right before your eyes? How did you feel?
2. The world surprises us everyday with new discoveries and unimaginable inventions; but have you ever been shocked by an angelic visitation with an announcement that is biologically impossible and without precedence? How would you feel, should it happen to you today?
3. So, can you imagine Mary’s troubled mind and perplexity when the angel Gabriel visited her with the announcement that would change the world forever (Lk. 1:26-29)? Can you imagine when Gabriel shocked her with the news of her virgin birth of the Messiah – “the Son of the Most High” (31-32)?
4. Why would God elect her to be the mother to His Eternal Son (Is. 9:6-7)? What in her life caused God to single her out of all the women in the world for that high privilege and honor? Nothing! It was simply grace.
5. Despite Mary’s perplexity due to her virginity (34), wasn’t her response to the angel wonderful? “I am the Lord’s … may it be to me as you have said” (38)? Isn’t that our only response when overwhelmed by grace?

I pray you can now understand why Charles Wesley penned the hymn, “And Can It Be”. As you sing it, feel his overwhelmed heart with the grace of God that flows from His amazing love.

So: May you be blessed by the riches of God’s grace that flows unceasingly in Jesus; and may your heart overflow with gratitude and move you to live for His glory!

Shalom