"The Lord Is With You"
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:26-38
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:34
Have you thought about the years of difficulty Mary endured? She began her amazing spiritual journey unmarried and pregnant. She lived in a small rural town, where gossip likely flowed freely. What do you think the people of this little town thought of Mary?
Mary also had financial pressures. From the offering that she and Joseph brought to the temple when Jesus was consecrated, we can tell they were poor. They sacrificed a pair of doves (see Luke 2:22-24), the smallest possible gift given by the poorest people in those days.
Of course, after that, Mary’s problems only intensified. King Herod saw Jesus as a threat to his throne, so he tried to have the child killed (Matthew 2). Mary and Joseph had to escape with Jesus to Egypt at night. But Mary’s suffering wasn’t over. She had to witness Jesus’ total rejection at the hands of the Jews and their leaders—and then his crucifixion.
As a mother, Mary had a heartbreaking journey! But her response challenges our faith. She was humble. She even called herself “the Lord’s servant.” Through faith, she embraced God’s Word. She committed herself to being the mother through whom Jesus came into this world. And she gave all praise and glory to God.
Do we share Mary’s faith? Such faith will help us stand up to countless difficulties in our lives.
Heavenly Father, we often complain of even small hardships. Please help us to have faith like Mary’s and to glorify your name always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Jang Ho Park
Jang Ho Park is a pastor in Tacoma, Washington. He and his wife, Jong Boon, have two sons.
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