Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! (Luke 1:45)
This is Elizabeth’s statement to Mary. Blessed is she who has believed… The blessing of simple faith.
Mary, probably in her middle to late teens, receives an unexpected, unimaginable message from an angel of God. “You will conceive a child in your womb and this child shall ‘be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David’ (1:32).”
Mary was familiar with the OT prophecies of Messiah but this news most certainly shocked her.
“How can this be, since I am a virgin?” is Mary’s only question. It is not a question of doubt as much as a request for clarification. Apparently she wanted to know, “Are you saying that I am going to become pregnant now or are you talking about many months down the road after Joseph and I are married?”
The angel responds, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (1:35). In other words, “Mary, you will become pregnant before you and Joseph ever know each other intimately. You will conceive through a miraculous act of God because this child is unlike any other who has been born.”
Mary replies, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (1:38).
Simple faith. Submissive heart. Great joy in being a part of God’s plan. “Lord, whatever Your plan is, I am on board. Use me for Your glory.” Blessed is she who has believed…
Mary’s faith is in contrast to the faith of Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias. When the same angel appears to him to announce that he and his wife would bear the forerunner of the Messiah, Zacharias replies, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years” (1:18).
Whereas Mary asked for clarification, Zacharias asked for confirmation. “How shall I know this? Can you give me some proof? After all, if you haven’t noticed, I am an old man and my wife has long past child-bearing years.”
The angel says, “Your proof will not only be the pregnancy of your wife but also your inability to speak until the birth takes place.”
Zacharias doubts. Mary believes. Zacharias, the seasoned priest of the Lord, struggles more with his faith than Mary the rural teenager. Perhaps age has made him more cynical. Perhaps he has had too many of his hopes dashed in the past and doesn’t want to get too excited too soon. Perhaps he is just more analytical than Mary. Perhaps, despite his many years of serving the Lord, his faith is just weaker. While Mary’s faith leads to a song of praise; Zacharias’ doubt leads to a mute mouth.
Blessed is she who has believed…
I find myself identifying with Zacharias more than Mary. Serving the Lord for many years doesn’t always mean your faith grows. Sometimes you become cynical, more doubtful, less expectant, more analytical. You lose your first love…your first faith. Perhaps that is why I am encouraged that, even though Zacharias doubted, God still chose to use him. Though his faith was weak, God’s promise remained strong. God did bless Zacharias with a son…his lack of faith, however, hindered his expression of praise. The blessing Mary received, Zacharias missed out on…for a time. Until his heart, though seasoned in service, learned once again to believe.
Lord, thank You for choosing to use even those weak in faith. Strengthen my own so that I can praise You more.
