December 10, 2024 - Let It Be Done To Me

Let It Be Done To Me

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

by: Alexandra Graham

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Key Verse:  “I am the Lord’s servant, .., May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Luke 1:38

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he gave her an astonishing message: she would conceive and bear the Son of God. Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary responded with faith, saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

This moment of surrender is one of the most remarkable in Scripture, but the context of the story matters. Earlier in Luke 1:5–25, we learn Mary’s relative Elizabeth was also part of God’s miraculous plan. Elizabeth, though advanced in age and thought to be unable to conceive, was blessed with a child. Her son, John the Baptist, prepared the way for the Lord.

Elizabeth’s pregnancy, foretold by the same angel Gabriel, demonstrates nothing is impossible with God. When Gabriel told Mary about Elizabeth, it confirmed God’s power was at work. Filled with hope and perhaps seeking reassurance, Mary traveled to visit Elizabeth. Upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). At that moment, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized Mary’s role in God’s plan, and her faith in her own miracle grew stronger too.

Their encounter reminds us of the beauty of shared faith. Mary’s "yes"; and Elizabeth’s trust in God’s power were intertwined. Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy gave Mary courage to believe in the angel’s words, and Mary’s visit affirmed for Elizabeth her child was part of a much larger plan. Together, their stories show us God’s work in our lives is often confirmed and strengthened through the faith of others.

Annunciation By Matthias Stom

Reflection:

This story reminds me of Josef Stalin’s famous quote, “Trust, but verify.” Famous atheist dictators don’t usually go with Christian devotionals, but I think it’s pretty common to humanity to look for the God winks of life, to look for signs that we are on the right path, that we are doing what God wants.

The stories of Mary and Elizabeth remind me that God often calls us to trust Him in ways that stretch our understanding. A colleague of mine once said that she was always impressed with my willingness to bet on myself, and I knew it was a compliment, but also I remember wondering, what were my other choices? My experience is mostly life is a whole lot of flinging myself off a cliff and building wings on the way down.

Mary and Elizabeth’s respective responses are similar to mine, but also their relationship highlights the importance of community in our faith journeys. When we face uncertainty, God often provides us with companions—our own Elizabeths—to walk alongside us, encourage us, and affirm His work in our lives. I’m lucky to have found so many people in my life who encourage me and remind me of my greatness when I’m feeling puny. I try to be that kind of supportive for others too because I think there’s a lot of opportunity to make the world better just through reminding each other of what’s great about us.

Finally, these intertwined stories remind us God’s plans are always bigger than we can imagine. I believe that we are connected, and what hurts one of us, hurts all of us because we are part of a whole. When we trust God and say “yes” to His call, we become part of a much greater story of redemption.

Prayer for Joy 

Heavenly Father, 

Fill our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing your love. May we rejoice in the good news of salvation and share that joy with others during this season of Advent. 

Amen.