When Mary received the shocking news that she would give birth to Jesus, she was deeply troubled. Yet even in her fear and confusion, she ultimately chose to trust in God's love and plan. Discover how drawing near to Jesus can bring you peace when life's disruptions and uncertainties leave you stressed and anxious this Christmas season.
BBCC Bible Study Notes
HOW LOVE BRINGS COURAGE - Luke 1:27–38
December 22nd, 2024
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34, NIV)
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled."
(Luke 1:38, NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
We love because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19, NIV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14, NIV)
Summary and Application: The story of Mary teaches us that faith is a journey that involves doubts, questions, and ultimately, trust in God's love. When faced with uncertainty and troubling circumstances, we can find peace and strength by drawing closer to the God who loves us unconditionally. This Christmas, let us embrace the wonder of God's love and allow it to transform our lives from the inside out.
BBCC Verse of the Week: 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NIV) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Study Notes
Mary sees clearly a most remarkable thing about God: He is about to change the course of all human history. The most important three decades in all of time are about to begin. And where is God? Occupying himself with two obscure, humble women—one old and barren (Elizabeth), one young and virginal (Mary). And Mary is so moved by this vision of God, the lover of the lowly, that she breaks out in song — a song that has come to be known as “the Magnificat” (Luke 1:46–55). Mary and Elizabeth are wonderful heroines in Luke’s account. He loves the faith of these women. The thing that impresses him most, it appears, and the thing he wants to impress on Theophilus, his noble reader, is the lowliness and cheerful humility of Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth says, “Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me?” (Luke 1:43). And Mary says, “He has looked on the humble estate of his servant” (Luke 1:48). The only people whose soul can truly magnify the Lord are people like Elizabeth and Mary—people who acknowledge their lowly estate and are overwhelmed by the condescension of the magnificent God. – John Piper
Mary’s famous statement in Luke 1:38—“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary surrendered her will to God. Think for a moment all she was being asked for—because Mary, I’m sure, certainly did. Remember some cultural facts that we noted a couple of chapters ago when looking at the angel’s message to Joseph. She was about to have a child, and even if Joseph stayed with her, people were going to add it up—“Married that date, baby born on that date . . . Hey, wait!” She knew that in a traditional, paternalistic society, in a small town, she would always be seen as the bearer of an illegitimate child. The whole community would think she had either had sex with Joseph before they were married or had been unfaithful to her fiancé. She knew that Jesus would be seen as a bastard, yet she said, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She knew what she was getting into. “This may mean a life of disgrace—or worse. Whatever comes, I accept it.” Mary connects God’s promise to Abraham with his promise to her (verse 55), and the comparison is apt. Consider what God’s promise to Abraham, and his faithful service to that promise, cost Abraham. God said to him, “I want to bring salvation into the world through you—through your body, through your family.” Abraham responded, “What, then, do you want me to do?” God answered, “Get out! Leave your homeland, your family, your friends. Leave everything you know, all your security. Go out into the wilderness.” “Where do you want me to go to?” wondered Abraham. “I will tell you later,” said God. And the book of Hebrews says: “And he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8, King James Version). It was exactly the same with Mary. Maybe, like so many other teenagers, she had dreamt of her future life. Maybe she had thought, I am going to marry Joseph, and we are going to have a house like this, and we are going to have so many children, and we will . . . But now God’s calling to her throws all that into doubt. Who knows what kind of life now awaits her? It doesn’t matter. When she says, “I am your servant,” she goes out not knowing whither she went. Anybody who wants to become a Christian must basically do the same thing as Mary and Abraham before her. Becoming a Christian is not like signing up for a gym; it is not a “living well” program that will help you flourish and realize your potential. Christianity is not another vendor supplying spiritual services you engage as long as it meets your needs at a reasonable cost. Christian faith is not a negotiation but a surrender. It means to take your hands off your life. – Tim Keller
Pastor Samuel Sutter // sam@BBCCOnline.org
