Imagine the scenario; one day a young Jewish girl from Nazareth was going about her daily chores, helping her mother prepare food for the noonday meal. Mary was requested to go outside to their small family garden located just outside the back door and select a few of the ripest pomegranates and grapes. Politely obliging, Mary picked up a basket from the corner of the room and headed outside where she was met with the blazing noonday sun. Wrapping the side of her shawl around her face, more for protection against the sun than out of obligation, as no males were present in her home at the time, she made her way to the fruit trees and vines located on the far side of the garden.
Suddenly, the bright light from the sun overwhelmed her, forcing her down to her knees. With head bent down almost to the ground, Mary felt the presence before hearing the voice.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Not daring to look up at the intimidating male voice booming directly above her, Mary trembled as the angel continued on with his message.
“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.” Gabriel declared.
At this proclamation, Mary finally muster enough strength to lift up her head, confirming the realization that she was indeed in the presence of a messenger of God. Still unable to stand upright, she looked up at Gabriel in amazement and confusion. What was he saying? What did this mean? How was this even possible, as she had only just been engaged to Joseph a short time ago, and their engagement would not be fully consummated for months.
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Honestly, she could not wrap her head around what was happening. Only a few minutes ago, she was trifling with which vine would be the best to select the choicest grapes from. Now she was being told that she would be having a baby, without first consummating her marriage, and that the baby would be no ordinary child, but the Son of God whose kingdom will never end??
How could anyone understand what was about to happen? How could Joseph, her intended, ever believe this was a part of God’s plan, and not proof of infidelity on her part?
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Gabriel reassured Mary that despite the turmoil that was sure to come in her life once the news of this pregnancy reached her tight-knit community, she would never be left alone to bear it (literally and figuratively) by herself. And do you know what Mary’s response was? There was no running away or stomping of feet or throwing of tantrums; Mary’s simple reply should strike a deep chord in all of our souls.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary chose to stand her ground, stand in her faith in God, believing the words Gabriel spoke to her were truth. She knew this would not be an easy road to travel. She knew that many would not believe her version of events; most certainly they would call her names and she would be the center of the town’s gossip circle for years to come.
She would be labeled. She would be judged. She would possibly be outcast.
But she would stand her ground.
And in her obedience with the help of the Holy Spirit, nine months later, the Savior of the world would be born.
“O Lord” by Lauren Daigle:
Though times it seems
Like I’m coming undone
This walk can often feel lonely
No matter what until this race is won
I will stand my ground where hope can be found
Oh, O’Lord O’Lord I know You hear my cry
Your love is lifting me above all the lies
No matter what I face this I know in time
You’ll take all that is wrong and make it right
Our strength is found
At the end of my road
Your grace it reaches to the hurting
Still through the tears and the questioning why
I will stand my ground where hope can be found
Beyond Room 908 