I. HER CALL— Luke 1:30-33
The appearance of the angel Gabriel must have been a great surprise to Mary. It must have been even more shocking when he announced “..thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus”. Being a Jew Mary was no doubt familiar with the O.T. prophecies promising that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, but surely she was shocked when she found out that she was the one!
Human reasoning might suppose that the Messiah would descend in a chariot of fire, accompanied by bands of angels and the blare of trumpets, but that wasn’t God’s plan. He chose to use a frail, frightened, poor girl to bring His Son into the world. His plan was to use a sinner to send the Savior. The creature would give birth to the Creator!
II. HER CHARACTER— Luke 1:27-28
Although God chose to use a sinner He didn’t just choose anyone. Mary was chosen for a reason, not at random. God chose her because of her character, not by chance. She was a “vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use..“(2 Tim. 2:21), Mary had maintained her purity, rather than yielding to fleshly lust. Even so God still demands purity today, and if you expect God to use you this should be a matter of concern.
III. HER CONSECRATION— Luke 1: 34-38)
Notice Mary’s reply–“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word“. That was her way of saying, “I’m available. Do with me as you please”. She made her humanity available so He could manifest Himself to the world. That is what He wants from all of us (Rom. 12:1-2). God is looking for those who will make themselves available without hesitation, question, or reservation. Don’t worry about your lack of ability. Make yourself available and God will make you able!
IV. HER COURAGE
Think about all the problems associated with this. How would she explain her pregnancy to her family and friends, especially Joseph? Yet she was willing to risk her reputation and relationships to do God’s will. She was willing to subject herself to the discomforts of pregnancy, the difficulties of motherhood, and the danger of Herod’s wrath.
Serving God isn’t easy. It takes courage to commit your ways unto the Lord and do as He commands. It requires confidence in God to allow Him to use you any way He pleases and depending on Him to supply all your needs. That kind of courage comes only from having a right relationship with God and that is possible only through faith. Mary was a great model and we would do well to emulate her example. God still speaks today and He is looking for people who are available. He has a plan for your life and wants to use you. Are you available? Will you say, “Yes Lord”? –HDS
