What Would Mary Do?

“What would Jesus do?” is the common question, but I’d like to propose a new one: What would Mary do? This question seems appropriate, since it’s Mary who gives birth to Christ. If our own lives are to bear Christ (that is in fact our calling), then it’s only right we look to Mary, the Christ-bearer. So what did Mary do? To answer, here’s a breakdown of Luke 1:26-38:

• The announcement of God’s Word to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.” (1:30-32)

• Her question: “How can this be, for I am a virgin?” (1:34)

• The answer: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…Nothing will be impossible with God.” (1:35, 37)

• From the lips and heart of Mary, perhaps the most beautiful confession of faith that the world has heard: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your Word.” (1:38)

So what did Mary do? It’s quite simple: she trusted and therefore obeyed the Word spoken to her. God’s will was announced to Mary, and she responded with the obedience of faith. She had plans in life, but God’s plan took precedence. Her plans didn’t have to disappear (the engagement with Joseph was still on), but they had to take a backseat to the overarching will of God.

God chose Mary to bear the Gift of Salvation. She could have said “no”, but by the grace of God she did not. She believed that Message which told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” She believed in God’s favor, and so she was unafraid to respond with a wholehearted surrender to the will of God.

Such faith is always a discomforting venture, but through it God's favor is received and Christ is born. So again that question: What would Mary do? She would trust in the favor of God, and because of that trust she would prefer obedience to God’s will over and above her own will. She would say, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your Word.” (Luke 1:38) In, with, and under those words lies the obedience of faith. And through such faith, the Gift of Salvation is born.