Luke 1
Bible Passage: Luke 1
This first chapter of Luke highlights the births of two prominent figures in the Bible: John the Baptist… And of course, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I think many of us are familiar with both of these births, and thus I don’t think I would need to recount the events here. But for my posting today (and a late one at that… apologies included), I’ll just highlight a bit about Mary, the mother of Jesus…
Not too long ago (I think maybe over a week ago), Pr. Chin Aun Quek had spoken on a sermon which had included this incident when Gabriel appeared before Mary and told her that, through the Holy Spirit, she was with child (and also wanna thank the brother who reminded me of this sermon). He (Pr. Chin) mentioned that Mary was very well aware of the burden she would have to bear and the situations that she would have to face in bearing the Lord Jesus (if I’m not mistaken).
Honestly speaking, I’m not sure how we, let alone I, would react if we were placed in Mary’s shoes. Would we just utterly crumble at the pressure of carrying the Lord Jesus in our womb (if we have one la…)? I think Mary was sort of like still given the freewill to just reject this responsibility, and continue on a more “normal” and “safer” life.
However, Mary was obedient and submissive to the will of God, that she would be the one to bear the Lord Jesus…
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word…”
– Luke 1: 38
Though she knew (or speculated) what was to come for being the mother of Jesus (e.g. having to worry for Him, ultimately witnessing His death), she still took on that responsibility with a willing and rejoicing heart.
Furthermore, she also glorified the name of God and rejoiced in Him.
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour…”
– Luke 1: 46-47
When such things fall upon us (Note: Not necessarily pregnancies), we’ve gotta wonder how would we react to them should we be able to foresee any sufferings that we would have to endure in the future. And even if we did eventually accept to bear it, we’ve also gotta wonder if we would be like Mary, whose soul magnified the Lord, and not to mention rejoicing in the Lord…
Indeed, we can learn from the obedience and submissiveness of Mary, who willingly took on the responsibility of bearing the Lord in her womb. We would definitely have our burdens to bear for the Lord, whether great or small ones. But how we take them on would depend on how we view these responsibilities.
Do we see these as a wonderful grace from God, for choosing us to do the work for Him? Do we rejoice in our sufferings for His sake?
May God guide us and strengthen us so that we are all able to work for Him and overcome all obstacles.