MARY – A TROUBLING THOUGHT

For some strange reasons, I think, among the Protestants, Mary, the mother of our LORD Jesus, is one of the neglected characters, in the Christmas narrative. I think Mary deserves much more than a mere mention during Christmas. If we read the account of Mary encountering angel Gabriel, in Luke chapter 1, we see her as a woman who is bright and sharp. Considering Mary was in her teens, it is amazing to see her grasp of the situation, and her poise in handling such “earth shattering” matters, in a calm and composed manner. All through the encounter, Mary was clear and courageous.

A TROUBLING THOUGHT – The words that angel Gabriel used to greet Mary, are not the usual and common greetings. They are specific, and are an indication of what is being thought about this young lady. The incident is found in Luke 1:28-29.
– “28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Angel Gabriel’s greetings has three parts to it, which tells us unambiguously, what God is thinking about her.
– “HIGHLY FAVOURED ONE”
– “THE LORD IS WITH YOU”
– “BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN!”

Mary, rightly so, like any normal person, was perplexed at this heavenly visitor’s greetings, more than his unannounced, and uninvited appearance, in her home.
– “29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.”

The above verse tells us a lot about Mary. 
– “She was troubled at his saying”
– She considered what manner of greeting this was”
– She is not someone who is easily shaken up.
– She is someone who observes and analyses.
– She is someone, who tries to find right answers, to the questions, that trouble her, rather than, come to quick and hasty conclusions.

There is so much to learn from this amazing person, whom, God the Almighty chose, to be the mother of the Saviour. May we be like Mary, sharp and intelligent, yet humble and obedient. May we be, like Mary, who found grace and favour in the sight of the LORD. May we be an instrument of blessing, in the hands of God, just like Mary. We ought to emulate Mary, and not worship her, for she too needed the Saviour, just like any of us. Mary found grace in the sight of God, what about us?