Devotional:Mary Submits to God: Luke 1:26-38

We live in a world in which women are told that they should be submissive to their husbands. As a result there are thousands of women enduring physical abuse, mental abuse, and emotional abuse at the hands of their husbands, the society in which they live, and men in general. Women are rising up in protest of these abuses. They have determined that they will be submissive no longer. The word “submissive” has become a rejected word. The idea of a woman being submissive is an appalling thought. Women are seeking their own power. They are determined to live their own truth. They don’t need a man to tell them what to do.

Now, for some of us, this is a heretical idea. Did not Paul write that a woman was to submit to her husband? Yes, he did say that, but lost in the discussion is Paul’s instruction to the husband to be submissive to his wife by loving her and meeting her needs. You cannot have privileges without having the responsibilities.

Mary was a teenage virgin. She was engaged to this man named Joseph. One day Mary was visited by an angel from the Lord. The angel calls her “favored one” because “the Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28). The angel continued to tell Mary what God’s favor means. She will conceive and give birth to a son. Mary may be a young woman, but she is no man’s fool. “Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin,” (v. 34)? It seems that Mary believes that this is an angel from God talking to her. Mary does not understand what the messenger is saying to her. Based on what she knows, virgins cannot conceive a child. In addition, how can God say that she should break her pledge to marry Joseph? Would this not be a violation of the law? Mary seeks to know the truth. Her truth would be God’s truth.

Mary listens to the words of the angel. The angel assures Mary that she has legitimate questions. Her understanding is accurate. However, what is impossible with man is possible with God. She will conceive by the Holy Spirit. Mary hears the words from the Lord and she believes what the angel tells her. Luke records her response: “And Mary said, ‘Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word’” (v. 38).

Mary submitted to the will of her Lord. She did so because she was committed to living her truth that was grounded in the truth of God. If she had insisted on living her own truth and understanding, her decision would have been different. We are all blessed because Mary submitted not to cultural norms and her own understanding. She submitted to the words of the angel because she had already submitted herself to be the bondslave of the Lord. Mary’s submission led to the birth of a son. He was the Son of God; the Messiah and the redeemer. His name is Jesus because He saves people from their sins.

Prayer: Lord we submit ourselves to You. Amen.