God’s Supernatural Call For “Mary”.

God’s Supernatural Call For “Mary”. 

By Jean Francis (Paraparaumu, New Zealand)

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

But when she saw Him, she was troubled at His saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."  Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"  And the angel answered and said to her, "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. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."  Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:26-56).

Mary’s call was supernatural. The voice of God came to Mary through the Angel Gabriel.  What was Mary’s response? "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" Mary must have had a good relationship with God, as she was obedient to His call, trusted Him and willing to be a servant. There is always a price to pay, when we follow God’s call. And her life was about to change dramatically!    

God was with Mary, who was “highly favoured”. She was a young woman of outstanding moral and spiritual character, chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Who was to be the Saviour of the world. This tells us that Mary was submissive to God. She counted the cost. She thought: she would lose Joseph; she would be a social outcast and she had no idea how she would raise the Child. Yet she said without hesitation, "May it be to me as You have said" (Luke 1:38).

With thoughts going through her mind and, emotions churning inside, Mary arose and went many miles from Nazareth to the hills of Judea, so she could see her cousin Elizabeth!(See Luke 1:39-45).

Part of Elizabeth's prophetic response to Mary's greeting was "Blessed is she who has believed" (Luke 1:45). Mary was a woman of faith. Mary was humble. She spoke of her "humble state" (Luke 1:48). We see that Mary was a true worshipper of God through the powerful words of her song (See Luke 1:46-55).

She stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her house.

What was Joseph’s response? He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.And he called His name JESUS(See Matthew 1:18-25).

God knew that Mary was a woman of rare strength and obedience. She was the only human being to be with Jesus throughout His entire life ~ from His birth until His death. She gave birth to Him as her baby and watched Him die as her Saviour.  Mary also knew the Scriptures. When the angel appeared and told her the baby would be God’s Son, Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant ~ may it be to me as You have said” (Luke 1:38). She knew of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah.

When Jesus had been taken to the temple to be dedicated to God, “Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’” (Luke 2:34–35).

Mary’s sorrow and anguish must have been like a sword piercing her heart. Mary was thoughtful. She kept the words of the shepherds and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Twelve years later in Jerusalem Jesus made a pointed statement about His true Father and Mary kept this also in her heart (Luke 2:51). Jesus said, “You should have known I would be in My Father’s House”.

At times Jesus reminded Mary of the distinction between their human relationship and His divine origin and mission.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:1-5).

Remember what Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5). What powerful words these are. Mary seemed to know that it was the right time for Jesus to start His ministry.

Mary knew the identity of her firstborn. We read in Matthew 12:46-50 where she allowed herself to be influenced by Jesus' unbelieving half-brothers. As Jesus was teaching, His mother and brothers stood outside and sent word for Him to talk with them. Jesus replied, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" Pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."  

Spiritual ties were above human ties. On the Cross Jesus again addressed His mother as "Woman.""Woman, behold, your Son!" Then He said to John, "Behold, your mother!" (John 19:26, 27). Jesus transferred them to John. Now she had to let go. He who had been her son now belonged to His Father.

The last time we read of Mary in the Bible, was in the upper room, waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). (They had all met together, continually for prayer)

  • Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ.

  • She was a willing  obedient servant

  • She trusted God and worshipped Him

  • She pondered things in her heart

Mary was young, poor and a woman. Some of our qualities and qualifications may make us unsuitable in the eyes of people to be used mightily of God. But God looks for those who will trust and obey. He knows if we are willing to lay our lives down.

As a young girl I felt a call of God on my life. It was a missionary call. Whatever God wanted me to do I was willing. When I look back over those many years what a journey it has been. God’s ways are so different to ours, and so better than ours. His ways are perfect.  May we be challenged today to say ~ “Let it be to me according to Your word."

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