The Handmaid of the Lord

Background Scripture: Luke 1:26-55
Lesson Scripture: Luke 1:26-33, 37-38

Introduction

Mary was submissive and gladly obedient as she offered herself in being the Lord’s handmaid. Surely this must have granted her joy for the course of her life. She left an example of humility that has benefited Christian people throughout history. Her immediate acceptance to be a willing servant of God was a beautiful display of humility and faith as she faced being a part of God’s spectacular plan of salvation. Her commitment and willingness to be used of God in the way He chose is a lesson for each believer today.

Key Verse

And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said (2 Sam. 7:25).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The above passage is often referred to as the annunciation. This event marks the revelation of Jesus Christ’s conception and teaches universal lessons in faith, obedience, and God’s miraculous power. Gabriel announced that Mary, though a virgin, would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit. This child, to be named Jesus, would be the Son of God. Gabriel’s message emphasized Jesus’s divinity and his destined role as the Messiah.

Mary asked the angel, “How will this be if I am a virgin?” This question reflects her purity and innocence; it does not show doubt. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of God would overshadow her. Gabriel also shared the miraculous news of her relative Elisabeth’s expectant state in her old age, reinforcing that nothing is impossible with God.

Mary’s response to Gabriel’s announcement is a testament to her faith and modesty. She replied, “I am the Lord’s handmaid. May your word to me be fulfilled.” With these words, Mary accepted her role with grace and submission. Her acceptance signifies her willingness to participate in God’s plan despite the social and personal difficulties she would face.

At the time of the annunciation, Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, a descendant of David. When the angel shared the news with Mary, she was greatly troubled by Gabriel’s words, but the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God!” Despite her initial bewilderment, Mary’s acceptance of her role is an enduring example of trust in God’s plan. This passage continues to resonate with people, reminding us of the miraculous nature of Jesus’s birth and the profound faith of his earthly mother, Mary.

Practical Truths for Today

God chose Mary, a young girl of that time, to be Jesus’s earthly mother. She was not chosen because she was extraordinary, famous, or outstanding but because of her character and spirit. Although we are confident that she was kind and pure, surely she was normal and ordinary. God showed his love and care for us by entrusting his Son into the hands of someone who was simple, plain, and common. Mary was never meant to be worshiped, but many things about her stand out as a good example for Christians today.

Mary referred to herself as the Lord’s handmaid. Her choice of words shows that she was submissive to God’s will from the beginning. A handmaid is a servant whose role is to assist, not to take charge or seek credit. An assistant supports their employer, embodying their will and intentions. When given a task from God, such as writing a book or helping someone in need, it can be easy to rely on one’s talents. However, being a handmaid of the Lord means letting God take the lead instead of trying to accomplish things alone.

Being a servant of the Lord requires trusting God. When Mary submitted to God’s plan, she did so in faith, fully committing to her role without reservation. Her acceptance of God’s will was unconditional. She did not ask for guarantees about how to handle the situation but trusted God with the outcome. Mary completely committed herself to God’s will, allowing Him to direct her path. She did not try to control her situation but was genuinely open to God’s plan. By accepting her role, Mary opened herself to receive God’s grace. If she had not, God may have not been able to help Joseph accept her situation through an angelic message the way He did. Mary’s consent stemmed from humility. This humility involved letting go of self-interest and recognizing that God’s mercy surpasses human reasoning.

It was undoubtedly hard enough to have her whole life changed in a moment, but Mary also had to endure many hardships, such as giving birth in a stable. Did Mary count these hardships as a privilege because she knew she was doing the will of God? Today, we all face life changes. Events such as someone moving away, a death, or even a marriage can change our lives forever. How do we handle such changes? It can be difficult to accept these changes because we find comfort in what is familiar, yet God has planned for the change and shift of time. He has not willed that life remains static. Some changes are universally a hardship, such as the death of loved ones. Other changes are meant to be joyous, but we sometimes find them difficult to accept or adapt to. This can be due to sentimental constraints but may also be rooted in a lack of submission or selfishness. This can leave us trapped, hung up, or anxious as we fight against the tide of change. God would have us submit to his will instead of struggling in this way. Although it can be easy to view submission negatively, it is, in reality, the only way to peace and freedom. Godly submission allows us to be led to the best place for us. Only God can see where the path leads, and his will always leads us to where we will thrive in our Christian walk.

We do not believe the worship of Mary is pleasing to God. However, Mary is worthy of our respect and admiration. Her role was important, and she did not take it lightly. In the current social structure of the world, the church’s view of the role of a woman can be seen as archaic or demeaning, yet this cannot be further from the truth. Christian women fill a role in the church that men cannot fill. The importance of a wife and mother cannot be overstated. The many things our sisters do in the church and in society are accomplished far better by them because of the natural gifts God has given women. There are indeed tasks either gender can do with a similar outcome. However, for some tasks to be accomplished appropriately, recognizing the roles that God has ordained for both men and women is necessary. Observing this truth is key for a society to function properly.

If we find ourselves struggling or unsettled by our circumstances today, perhaps we could alleviate this by examining ourselves to see if we are indeed submitted to God’s will for our lives. The quiet spirit of Mary did not come from trying to fulfill her own desires and reach her selfish goals. Her spirit was at peace as she accepted God’s hand upon her, and she followed Him without protest. May we all seek for a spirit that does not view God’s way as loss but instead views a life of service and submission as gain.

Questions

1. Why is it so important that we submit our free will to God?
2. Why is it so hard to convince ourselves that we will be happiest if we submit to God?
3. What causes us to fear change? Why is change good for us?
4. What might Mary’s parents have done to help prepare her for service?
5. What is at the root of unwillingness for service? What is a practical way to correct this attitude?
6. Mary’s submission seemed to come naturally. How can we become more submissive while still maintaining an appropriate enthusiasm for life?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).