Humble and Lowly

Background Scripture: Luke 1–2
Lesson Scripture: Luke 1:46–55; 2:8–14

Introduction

When God brought His Son into this world, He did not choose a splendid palace among the rich and noble people of society. He chose a humble young woman to be the earthly mother of His Son and a stable to be the place of His birth.

God told Mary what He was going to do, and she said: “Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). She did not stop to question what her friends might think of her, she did not question whether she was able do what God was asking of her, and she did not exalt herself. She glorified God and submitted without reservation to the service He was asking. Considering that her service would involve pain and sorrow, she nevertheless trusted God and was ready to serve Him joyfully. That is the way of blessing.

Key Verse

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Isa. 57:15).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Luke was a gentile believer, writing to Theophilus, a young fellow believer, who probably lived in Rome. Luke is careful to describe the time and place of the events he narrates, as they probably were unfamiliar to Thoephilus. We who live in a much later era are the beneficiaries of Luke’s carefulness.

Luke was not an eyewitness of all the events recorded in his Gospel, but he searched out reliable accounts from those who had been. One of those eyewitnesses must have been Mary herself. She was part of the story at the beginning and was still present with the believers at the beginning of the book of Acts. Luke tells us, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

Since Mary was the virgin God chose to bring His Son into the world, He gave her repeated assurances that He was guiding her. After the visit from Gabriel, Mary traveled many miles to visit Elizabeth, whose first words of greeting were, “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Mary’s words in verses 46 to 55 reveal a deep knowledge of the Word of God and of God’s promises to His people. They are strongly reminiscent of Hannah’s words of praise after the birth of Samuel (1 Sam. 2:1–10).

Shortly after Mary returned home to Nazareth, Joseph, her fiancé, told her that God had spoken to him also. Then, not long before the baby was due, the Roman decree came to go to Bethlehem for a census. How could this upheaval fit in God’s plan? Yet, just after Jesus was born, excited shepherds appeared to see the baby in the manger. They told how the glory of God had lit up the hillside where they were. An angel had appeared to tell of the birth of the Messiah and where to find him. Surely this comforted Joseph and Mary, assuring them that even though events may not have unfolded as they had expected, they had gone the way that God planned.

Practical Truths for Today

It all happened so simply, so quietly. A young woman said yes to God; after a brief hesitation, her fiancé also said yes to God. Thus, they embarked on a journey, knowing that God was leading, but not knowing where. Oh, they knew the prophecies well enough, but the prophets had said so many things; how was it all supposed to come together?

They were far from home when the promised Baby was born, and they laid Him in a manger, away from the eyes of those who might be curious. Angels from heaven came to announce His birth, not to people of importance but to a few shepherds on a hillside out of Bethlehem town.

For thirty years Jesus lived a quiet, obscure, and ordinary life. At least six more children were born to the parents, and the father provided for them by working in his carpenter shop. The oldest son learned His father’s trade and helped to provide for the family. It appears that Joseph died before Jesus reached the age of thirty.

Then this Son, who had always appeared quite ordinary, began to go about preaching that the kingdom of God was about to be revealed and calling on people to repent. He displayed power like no man before; He read Scriptures in the synagogues and said they were speaking of Him. But He did not fit most people’s expectations of the Messiah. He was very ordinary and plain and did not even have a home of His own.

His mother watched, taking it all in, knowing that God was leading, but still not knowing how it was all going to work out. Many people today worship and even pray to Mary, but she never expected that; she was not that kind of person. She was just an ordinary woman who humbly obeyed God and became an eyewitness of the unfolding of the plan of salvation. May we be inspired by her example.

Paul writes of Eve as a representative of womankind. “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:13–15). This first woman ate of the fruit that God had strictly warned her not to eat. Thus, Eve (together with Adam) was the means by which sin entered the world and brought shame on their posterity.

When Gabriel came to Mary, she humbly said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Eve, by her disobedience, was the first to take of the forbidden fruit. Mary, by her obedience, became the means by which the remedy for sin entered the world. It could be said that in her obedience she leaves a beautiful example for women everywhere. The conditions that Paul relates to Timothy for remaining saved are that they obediently continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. These conditions do not apply only to women but to all men as well.

According to Mary’s words in Luke 1:51–53, the birth of the Messiah would be good news for the hungry and those of low degree but disturbing news for the rich, the mighty, and the proud. The same conditions of being poor and helpless apply today for anyone who wants to meet the Savior. The seeker must be aware of his deep need, not having an exalted idea of his own importance but having a desire to know the Savior.

All the important religious people in Jerusalem were waiting for the Messiah’s coming: the Pharisees, the priests, and the scribes. They all expected to have important positions in His kingdom. God did not send the message of Messiah’s birth to them but to a handful of humble people: Zacharias, Mary, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. May we aspire to be like them.

Questions

1. What are some things we could do to reduce the stress of the Christmas “rush”?
2. Should we verbally glorify God as we rejoice in His great salvation?
3. What are some things we can do to share the angel’s message of peace on earth and goodwill to men?
4. What will people notice about us if we are truly humble and lowly?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).