The Annunciation by Philippe de Champaigne, 1644
‘Remember what the angel Gabriel said to Mary when he first appeared to her?
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God” [1].
He then made an incredible announcement. Mary would give birth to the Messiah [2].
Did her mind jump to Isaiah’s prophecy about a young woman who would conceive and give birth to Immanuel?
Surely many Jewish girls knew the passage. And each must have wondered, Might I grow up to be the mother of the King of all?
God favored Mary with the singular role of mother to the Righteous One. Perhaps his choice was based on Mary’s virtue, but scripture gives no indication of that.
Luke did mention that Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, “were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” [3].
But no such commendation is given for Mary. It may be God wanted us to understand: he can use anyone. His empowerment doesn’t depend on social standing, intelligence, accomplishments, or even moral superiority.
Our part is willingness and faith, which Mary did demonstrate when she professed: ‘’I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” [4]. Mary acquiesced to God’s plan, his choice for her.
If you’re like me, you’ve wondered about the favor bestowed upon Mary. To us the word conjures up kindness and generosity.
But Mary faced:
- rejection and cruelty as a pregnant and unmarried, young teen [5]
- the probable annulment of her engagement to Joseph
- a grueling trip to Bethlehem, nine months pregnant
- delivering her first child in a stable-cave
- another difficult journey to Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod’s slaughter
- the hurtful disapproval of many for her firstborn, including his own half-siblings
- watching her son die in agony [6]
How could Gabriel call Mary favored?
We’re looking in the wrong direction. God’s favor, his best for us, does not guarantee an easy path through life and an abundance of material blessings. That kind of favor would only spoil us.
God would have us look in the direction of more satisfying favor: his spiritual blessings [7].
That’s what Mary did, evidenced by her Magnificat, a prayer preserved for us in Luke 1:46-55, where she praised God for his mindfulness of her, his might that had accomplished great things for her, his mercy extended to those who fear God, and more.
In the NIV Study Bible, nineteen cross-references from this passage cite verses from seven books of the Old Testament. Mary knew scripture.
It’s unlikely she thought God’s favor would bring fame and fortune. Mary would have known that God’s best more often includes:
- empowerment to carry out his assignments
- instruction in the ways we should choose
- help in times of trouble
- strength to endure hardship and grief
- compassion and comfort to quell distress
- satisfaction in taking part in God’s wonderful plans [8]
And as God’s wonderful plan of redemption for all people began to unfold, his favor began to flow upon Mary.
He dispelled her fears, gave her courage to tell Joseph the unsettling news, inspired Mary to visit her wise cousin Elizabeth for encouragement, filled her with endurance for the journey to Bethlehem, and strength for the birth of her first child in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Of course, Mary isn’t the only one who’s experienced the favor of the Lord. God’s best is available to everyone who allows God to choose what’s best.
God would have us know:
By his favor he forms our characters and fits us for satisfying service. He charts our course, imparts strength to accomplish his plan, supplies all that is necessary, and ultimately crowns our efforts [9].
Just as he did for Mary.
[1] Luke 1:26-30 NIV, emphasis added
[2] Luke 1:31-33
[3] Luke 1:6
[4] Luke 1:38
[5] This was surely Mary’s experience, given the social norms of the day.
[6] Matthew 1:18-19; Luke 2:1-5; 6-7; Matthew 2:13-15; Mark 3:20; John 19:26-27
[7] Ephesians 1:3
[8] Psalm 138:8 ESV; 25:12; 46:1; 73:26; 86:15; Isaiah 66:13a; Psalm 128:1
[9] Based on Herbert Lockyer quote, Seasons of the Lord, 202.
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I love how you’ve explained what it means to be favored in the eyes of God, Nancy. Mary most certainly was and will always be remembered by her obedience to God’s will in spite of what her culture and times would have thought of her. She is the most blessed among women, indeed! Thanks for telling Mary’s story again with such feeling and compassion.
Thank you Martha. I can’t imagine the fortitude of young Mary, to endure the circumstances of Jesus’ birth and beyond. God certainly did equip her with supernatural strength! And praise God, he will favor us with the same, as circumstances require.
Oh, may we all be so blessed by God’s favor!
I appreciate the inclusion of the Jim Elliot quote. It helps put things in perspective. God chose him for a task, showing him favor, but it led to martyrdom, not to earthly, material blessings.
Indeed, Linda. To some, it would appear that God’s favor did not rest on Jim Elliot. But heaven is the very best God can give!
🧡
Thanks to you, Mitch, and our other Writers’ Group friends!
It’s inspiring to see how God has worked in your life, Nancy. 🙂 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” – Isaiah 30:21
Thank you, Nancy. There’s such encouragement and reassurance in that verse from Isaiah you quoted!
I love this post Nancy! Mary truly is an inspiration and certainly is part of the wonder of Christmas! Thank you for a beautiful post… It really blessed me! ❤️
So glad you loved this post, Lisa. What a delight for me to be able to bless YOU, dear friend. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
I too have been pondering Mary quite a bit this year. and thinking once again how young and courageous she was. Her faith really is amazing isn’t it?
I agree–Mary’s faith belied her years. Perhaps God granted her an extra measure as a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9).
So encouraging, Nancy, thank you!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Dana! That warms my heart.
There’s no one underestimating the power of our availability in the hands of God!
TT
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Join me at Living Our Days https://michelemorin.net “The way we live our days is, of course, the way we live our lives.” (Annie Dillard)https://linktr.ee/MicheleDMorin
AMEN to that, Michele–an important truth to keep in mind!
Nancy,
Amen. Mary really had a special role and honored the Lord. Merry Christmas by
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Agreed, Gary. I’m so glad Luke included her story in his gospel, although I wish there were even more details.
Our pastor reminded us how women of Mary’s day married at a very young age. He said Mary could have been as young as fourteen. Even as God emboldened her with strength and confidence, initially she still had to choose to go forward with His plan (because it was a choice). With this in mind, I admire her maturity; wise beyond her years.
I admire her too, Dave. I can’t imagine enduring what she did–as a young teen no less. She made good and wise choices as the events unfolded, that’s for sure.
This is excellent, my friend. Mary, a young teenager carrying the Son of God, didn’t waver when she agreed to what God had asked of her. She was quite aware of what this would cost her–she lived in a tiny village where everyone would have known everyone else’s business. I loved what you shared–God’s favor for us doesn’t give us an easy path, but a path that won’t spoil us but help us trust Him more. So much to think about here. Thank you.
Praise God this post gave you worthwhile things to think about, Dayle! My own fortitude surely grew a bit stronger as I completed research for this post and found great inspiration from Mary’s example.
For one so young, Mary demonstrated great faith. She trusted God to pave the way through what must have seemed a very challenging future. But what an honor!
Agreed, Cheri. I want to remember: just as Mary trusted God to pave the way through an uncertain and troublesome future, I can do the same!
This is a crucial lesson. Sadly, it is not one many televangelists share w/ their congregations. When trials occur (as they always do, in this broken world of ours), those who have only heard “gospel lite” are likely either to feel God has betrayed them or presume their faith is lacking.
There are also “gospel lite” preachers leading churches, and “gospel lite” authors producing books. That’s one reason each of us has a responsibility to learn the truth of the Bible so we recognize half-truths and lies when we hear/read them. Thank you Anna for adding this concern to the conversation!
What a beautiful reminder that he fits us for satisfying service. You do such a beautiful job of showing us that to be in God’s favor doesn’t mean it will be easy but that He equips us with all that’s necessary to do meaningful things. Thank you, Nancy!
Thank you, Wynne. You’ve reminded me of an old hymn, “It Will Be Worth It All (When We See Christ).” We tend to set our sights on short-term comfort and ease in this life; what’s needed is an eternal perspective, and continual effort to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:10-21)–rewards we’ll enjoy forever! (Lord, keep me mindful!)