Day 23, Feb 27th 2024
Text: Luke 1: 38
Overview: In the course of this study, we will see how Mary’s (The Mother of Jesus) role demonstrates God’s Love and care for humanity, by intimately involving human life in His Plan of Salvation. Mary not only birthed Our Lord Jesus, but she also raised Jesus from childhood to adulthood and accompanied Him throughout much of His life, even up to His last breath. Mary played a pivotal role in God’s Divine Plan for Salvation.
LIFE LESSONS
1. Mary’s Absolute Trust in God– Lk 1:34, we see how Mary’s faith in God overcomes her doubt; without understanding what nor how, Mary declared with all her heart, “I am the servant of The Lord, may it be to me as you have said (LK 1:38). This is the beautiful way in which Mary said “YES” to the Will of God. Mary trusted in God’s promise and was accepting and obedient to God’s invitation in her life. She therefore surrendered to the mystery before her and committed herself to be part of God’s plan of Salvation through Jesus.
2. Mary’s Humility- Luke 1: 46-55, we see how Mary demonstrates profound humility, by acknowledging that God uniquely chose her by His favor and mercy; she perfectly conformed herself to God’s Will by not being prideful nor arrogant, nor boasting of her works. Mary’s total submission to God’s Will also revealed her remarkable humility.
3. Mary’s Total Commitment to God’s Will– Mt 1: 18-20, we see how Joseph, whom Mary was betrothed to planned to divorce her once he heard of her pregnancy. This did not dissuade Mary from following through with God’s Word, instead Mary trusted that God would take care of everything. Lk 2: 34-35, we see Simon, the Prophet who told Mary about the prophecy of Jesus’s death, also hinting the sorrow and pain Mary will endure as Jesus’s mother. In spite the prophecy, Mary chose God’s Will over her motherly love and affiliation and care for her son, 1Peter 5:10, Mary never for once went against Jesus’s ministerial duties, but always supported him. Lk 2:48
4. Mary was an Intercessor– Jn 2:3, at the wedding at Cana, the couple runs out of wine, as soon as Mary notices, she took it upon herself to help the couple avoid any kind of embarrassment on their big day. Mary turned to the One person she knew could help: Jesus. Even though Jesus resisted at first, she didn’t give up on her son because she knew he had a good heart, Mary took a step further and advised the servants to follow Jesus’s instructions, this marked the beginning of Jesus’s miraculous works.
LIFE APPLICATIONS
1. Total Surrender to God’s Will- As Mary surrendered totally to God’s Will, we also can emulate her by complete submission of ourselves to God, by submitting our hearts, bodies, lives, and our Will totally to God, without withholding anything. Gal 5: 24-25, Prov 3:5-6, Mt 16: 24
2. Total Obedience to God– As Mary displayed total obedience to God’s Will, we also can imitate this virtue by obeying God, not partially, but completely. This means obeying God even when it doesn’t make sense nor seem logical. Total obedience to God is not only a way to worship Him, but a way to get closer and more intimate with God Jn 14: 15, Jn 14: 23, Acts 5:29, Ps 34:9-10, Isa1:19-20.
3. Fulfilling God’s Purpose– As Mary fulfilled her God ordained purpose, by willingly accepting and obeying to be the mother of Our Lord and Savior Jesus, we also can seek God to know, and prayerfully carry out our God ordained purpose. Just as Mary had her own God ordained purpose, each of us have our God ordained purpose as well. Finding and fulfilling this purpose is integral to our existence, as the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of our God ordained purpose will determine where we end up. Prov 19:21, Jer 29:11, 1 John 5: 12.
4. Intercede for others– As Mary’s kindness and intercession birthed the miracle at the wedding at Cana, we can also bring about divine changes, miracles in our own workplace, family, church, anywhere we find ourselves, we must do good. Acts 10: 38
LESSON OF THE DAY: Mary’s humble, simple and open acceptance of God’s Will serves as a model for all of us who think we can control our own lives. Her willingness to let go and totally entrust her son, and her life to God led to her being the most celebrated Mother in History, The Mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Mother of God. Mt 1:23, Lk 1: 27, Rev 12: 1, Isa7:14.
Compiled by: Sis Elizabeth Komolafe
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