Mary's Faith and Submission

Modern King James Version:
Luk 1:34-38 MKJV Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I do not know a man? (35) And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God. (36) And behold, your cousin Elizabeth also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing shall be impossible. (38) And Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.

Cebuano Version:
Luk 1:34-38 Apan si Maria nag-ingon sa manolonda: Unsaon pagkahimo niini nga wala man ako makaila ug lalake? (35) Ug mingtubag ang manolonda, ug miingon kaniya: Ang Espiritu Santo moanhi kanimo, ug ang gahum sa Hataas Uyamut magalandong kanimo: tungod usab niini ang balaan nga matawo paganganlan Anak sa Dios. (36) Ug ania karon, si Elizabet nga imong ig-agaw nanamkon usab ug usa ka anak nga lalake sa iyang pagkatigulang; ug kini mao na ang ikaunom ka bulan kaniya nga ginganlan siya ug apuli. (37) Kay walay pulong gikan sa Dios nga mawad-an sa gahum. (38) Ug nag-ingon si Maria: Ania karon, ang ulipon sa Ginoo; pagabuhaton kanako sumala sa imong pulong. Ug mingpahawa kaniya ang manolonda.

Introduction

Ania na usab kita nagpadayon sa pagtu-on sa sinulat ni Lukas. We continue to look into the interaction of angel Gabriel and Mary in chapter one as the angel announce the news to Mary that God chose her to carry in her womb the long awaited Christ, the promised seed of David, the heir who is the Savior King, who, “will save people from their sins.” ^{Mathew 1:21}

Si Maria usa ka maayong ehemplo kanato mahitungod sa submissive faith. Apan atong ampingan ang atong pag-ila mahitungod ni Maria nga dili kanato siya matuboy nga maslabaw pa kaysa ni Kristo nga iyang gipanamkon ug gi-anak. As Protestants atong makita dinhi nga passage usa ka wonderful example of faith as God pours out His grace in making the sinner Mary the mother of the Savior. Sa verse 28 si Maria ang receiver sa grace, the grace of becoming the mother of Jesus, dili pasabot nga puno siya sa grasya nga makahatag ngadto sa uban. And this is the view of the Roman Catholic church. They see this section where Mary accepts the angel’s words as a type of trial. Ilang gipakisama si Maria nga another Eve nga mi-obey diin ang original Eve sa Genesis midis-obey. They see this as another turning point in history diin ang Dios daw naghuwat sa pagtugot ni Maria nga dawaton ang pagpanamkon sa bata or God’s purpose will be frustrated. Ila usab gitudlo nga sama si Eve originally sinless so Mary was born by an immaculate conception and was also sinless. Dugang pa, Eve was named ‘Mother of the living’ but Mary actually is the ‘Mother of the living.’ And that we become children of Mary, mao kanang pwede kanato siya tawagon nga Inahan sa dihang gi-adopt kita as brothers and sisters to Christ. When we believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, when we trust in Him and repent of our sins, God grants us adoption. However, it is not into Christ’s earthly family that we are adopted into, no, we are adopted into God’s family. God has placed Christ as a federal head that we might be adopted into God’s family not into Mary’s. They see her acceptance of the child as her commitment to perpetual chastity and is held up as an example for nuns to emulate. Niining tanan ang Katoliko nasayop. Let us remember, that in verses 30 to 31 it is clear that the angel Gabriel announce to Mary that she was chosen by God, angel Gabriel did not ask Mary whether she will accept it or not.

The Hero of any bible story is always God and never man, no flesh should be lifted up in God’s presence, not Mary’s, not Paul’s or even angels. So atong tun-an ang faith ug attitude ni Maria dinhi nga passage dili aron ato siya ituboy o matuboy nga labaw kundi aron atong makita ang usa ka maayong ehemplo sa pagsalig sa Dios ug maka-ampo kita sa Ginoo nga tabangan unta kita nga ang atong pagsalig Kaniya mahisama sa ehemplo ni Maria.

I. Mary’s Question and Gabriel’s Response – v.34-37

A. Mary’s Question – v.34

Mary has just heard the most amazing promises about the baby she will conceive. But there is that one obvious question: “’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” (v. 34).

Si Maria, klaro kaayo niya, nakahibalo siya nga sa tawhanon, dili siya manamkon o mosabak ato nga higayon tungod kay ulay pa man siya ug wala pa man siya makipagrelasyon physically sa usa ka lalaki. Yes, pledged to marry siya ni Joseph pero sa ila kultura wala pa sila mag-ipon ug kana nga higayon dili pa sila pwede mag-ipon. Nasayod si Maria nga nagkinahanglan siya ug kapikas para siya manamkon We mention this because there are many who do not believe in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Mary’s response asking how will this happen is clear that she is a virgin at this time. And later on, Gabriel’s answer to Mary will solidify the virgin birth of our Lord.

Sa lain nga bahin, ang pangutana ni Maria dinhi dili sama sa response ni Zacharias sa Luke 1:18 sa dihang giingnan si Zacharias ni Gabriel nga manganak o magsabak ang asawa ni Zacharias bisan pa man ug tiguwang na kaayo silang duha. Ang pagsabak ni Elizabeth nga asawa ni Zacharias milagro ug ang pagsabak ni Maria nga ulay milagro usab apan managlahi ang ilang response sa balita gikan sa anghel.

Zechariah couldn’t believe it, and asked for proof. Luke 1:18, ‘And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."’ Dili makatuo si Zacharias nga mahitabo pa kana ug nangutana siya ug sign – “how shall I know this?” – “unsaon ko pagkahibalo nga mahitabo kini?” Mary on the other hand asked how can it be. Mary assumed it will be done but is confused how will it happen, in what manner, since her marriage is not yet consummated. Zechariah asks how can he know, wanting a sign. Mary is not sure how God will do it; Zechariah is not sure whether God will do it. Mary asks not because she doubted but because she needs more information, an explanation. Mary lacks information but Zechariah lacks faith. Zechariah is rebuked for his unbelief as Gabriel points to the fact that he, an angle from God’s court has been sent by God Himself to give this word. But God is gracious. God does not withdraw His gift, but does discipline Zechariah for his unbelief. God gives him the sign he wanted, and the sign is in the form of his inability to speak, in v20, ‘And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."’

Usahay mahuyang ang atong pagtoo, ug sama ni Zacharias mangita o mangayo kita sa Ginoo ug extra assurances or signs nga mahitabo imbis na mosalig na diritso sa Iyang mga pulong nga nasulat na, nga mismo siya maoy nagpadayag ug nanugo ug piling katawhan para masuwat ang Biblia. We know from the testing of God in the wilderness, and the temptation of Christ in the wilderness that testing God is a way of officially doubting God. Atong nasabtan sa kasinati-an sa mga Israelites didto sa kamingawan human migawas sila sa Ehipto nga ang pagsulay sa Dios, ang pagpangayo ug mga signs maoy pagduda sa gisulti ug gisaad Niya. It is a way of attacking His character saying that He cannot be trusted but has to give further assurances as if His word is not enough. We are to make the most God-glorifying decision we can and are not expected to know the future. We should learn the lesson that throughout the history of Israel God is true to His word, and that His word is enough. We must not test God but learn the lesson of His faithfulness from His word. And God does not change, He is forever faithful, forever true. We should know that we have no excuse for doubting God’s promises.

Kauban ni Maria, sa atong sitwasyon karon, makapamalandong kita unsa kahay gamiton nga paagi sa Dios para ma-address sa tawo ang corona virus. Panahon sa kalibog makapangutana kita unsa kahay buhaton sa Dios. Apan dili unta kita magduda o makapangutana kung tinood ba ang Dios ug ang Iyang mga saad.

In the next verses God gives Mary an explanation explaining that it will be by a miracle, and Gabriel even gives her a sign to confirm that these words are true.

B. Gabriel’s Response – v.35-37

What is going to happen is described in verse 35, "The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God."

Adunay upat ka mga butang o kamatuoran dinhi gitudlo sa anghel ngadto ni Maria, two about how she will conceive and two about the one who will be conceived.

i. Una, “The Holy Spirit shall come on you,” Gabriel says. Ang pagkunsad o ang presensya sa Balaang Espiritu sa iyang kinabuhi maoy magadala ug magatrabaho para siya manamkon. It will be God’s work done in a powerful and unique way. Mary is not to understand God will have any kind of sexual relationship with her. We might never imagine that, but the ancient Greek world had many stories of gods coming down to earth to cohabit with humans. Those stories were widely known. The Greek mythologies and literature are also used by liberals to discredit the virgin birth, they say Luke’s basis is ancient folklore. Gisigurado ni Gabriel nga dili si Maria, ug kita usab, maghuna-huna ug sama niana nga paagi sa pagpanamkon. The virgin birth is true and has Old Testament prophecies as basis like in Isaiah 7:14.

ii. Ikaduha, and it becomes even more specific: “The power of the Highest will overshadow you” The word overshadow means “to cover with a cloud,” like the cloud of Shekinah glory (Exo_16:10; Exo_19:9; Exo_24:16; Exo_34:5; Exo_40:34) or the cloud of transfiguration (Mat_17:5, Mar_9:7, Luk_9:34). This cloud is a visible manifestation of the glory and presence of God; this means that the same power of God that was with Moses and others in the Old Testament is now going to do a unique work in the life of Mary. Mary will conceive a child in her womb even while she is pure or virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit.

iii. Ikatulo, because of that, Gabriel says, the one to be born will be “holy.” That is the Greek word hagios. It can mean ‘righteous’ or ‘good,’ but it also means ‘dedicated,’ ‘set apart,’ or ‘consecrated.’ Jesus is indeed righteous and without sin because of the virgin birth. He has no physical father; Joseph is His adoptive father, therefore; He did not have Adam’s sin. Also Jesus from birth would be holy – someone set apart – the one whose life would be dedicated to God and for God’s work.

iv. Ika-upat, Gabriel tells Mary this child “will be called the Son of God.” Throughout the New Testament there are over 120 references to Jesus as God’s Son or to God as his Father. Jesus’ title as Son of God means Jesus is equal with God, Jesus has the same essence or nature with God the Father (John 5:18). That is, Jesus is God - the second person of the triune Godhead. It speaks of the deity and eternality of Jesus Christ. While Jesus' human nature was born thru a woman yet his personality is eternal. And David Guzik, a pastor and commentator has a clear statement about this: “Jesus did not become the Son of God; He was called the Son of God, recognizing His nature from all eternity.”

Ang pagkapanamkon sa kang Ginoong Hesu-Kristo niani nga paagi is unique in all the history of humanity. This is the only time this has or ever will occur. This is absolutely critical to the Christian message. Importante kaayo kining pagtulun-an sa virgin birth sa gospel. This is critical to Christianity, because it protects the nature of Christ as God and Man.

He had to be born of God to be Son of God. He had to be born of a woman to be Son of Man. And the nature of Jesus Christ as God and Man is at the heart of the Christian faith. If anyone denies the deity of Jesus Christ, they have destroyed Christianity. What you have left is a satanic, deceptive, counterfeit, lying religion invented by men and demons to destroy the truth.

Mahinungdanon ba nga kita motuo nga si Jesus gipanamkon sa usa ka birhen? And the answer is yes because it is essential to saving faith to put your trust in the true Christ. You must believe that Jesus is who He is, and who He is, is God and Man.

All of the Christian faith is built upon the nature of Jesus as the God-Man which is defined from this conception. In order to be the Son of God, He had to be born of God. In order to be the Son of Man, He had to be born of a woman. And that's precisely what happened. God came in human flesh.

If you deny the virgin conception of Jesus Christ, you're not a Christian and that's not Christianity.

Back to our text, Mary asked a sincere question how this could all happen and got a remarkably powerful answer! If Mary needed any further convincing that the impossible can become possible she got it from what the angel said next.

Angel Gabriel gave a sign to Mary although she did not ask. In verse 36 the angel told Mary that a prior miracle has happened already. Mary is informed that her cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant although she is past child bearing age.

Then in verse 37 the angel said, “With God nothing shall be impossible.” There is one word here in Greek that is not translated into English. In the Revised Version it says, “For no word from God shall be void of power.” More literally, one could translate this for no word of God shall be powerless. God will absolutely perform what He has said. God has said it, He will perform it. If God said it, then it will be accomplished.

II. Mary’s Response of Faith

A. Mary’s humble faith is seen in v38, ‘And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.’ Let me first draw your attention to the way in which Mary sees herself. There are many who have exalted her, who pray to her, who has grace to spare and lend to those in need. Here she sees herself as the servant of the Lord. The Greek word her is the word for slave. Not only does she view God rightly and respond with trust but she also views herself rightly and sees herself as God’s servant. She actually calls herself the Lord’s slave girl – the Greek is the word doulē and describes someone who accepts the will of her master without question, someone who gives complete obedience.

Ato usab obserbahan ang attitude ni Mary dinhi ug ato ikompara ang ato attitude sa atong kultura karon. Many people today live their lives focusing on pleasing themselves. Here however is a teenage girl who sees herself as a slave. This has various implications which we need to confront our natural selfishness with. Firstly, it means to live for the pleasure of another not for oneself. She does not argue although this miracle will make her life difficult, she accepts God’s will. Secondly, the notion of a slave in the ancient world meant that you were not your own but another’s property. Slaves did not have the luxury of deciding when they wanted to eat or have a holiday they were at the disposal of their owners. Thirdly, the idea of being a slave comes with the idea of loyalty. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters, that you either hate the one or love the other. To be God’s slave is to be His wholeheartedly. Total devotion and loyalty to God.

B. Also notice not only how she sees herself before God but the attitude that she has to God’s will for her. ‘Let it be to me according to your word.’ This is the strongest language of faith any believer can ever utter. No matter what God says, if God says it, let it be. This miracle would no doubt cause some very real problems for Mary. She was engaged to be married and had no assurances that her future husband would not reject her and her life be without any prospects of marriage because of the possible shame attached to her situation. Who would believe that a teenage girl was pregnant miraculously? This language of faith can be found in Job when he says, ‘Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"’ ^{Job 2:10} What Mary conveys here is her quiet resignation to the will of God no matter how painful or costly it is. She does not fret the details or the possible ramifications, she submits.

This resignation is not the result of a mind that is unaware of the pain that is coming. We can see that Mary is indeed a very thoughtful individual, this is evident from the spiritual depth of her song in Luke 1:46-55. Nor is the resignation to the will of God something that you have to force yourself into by ignoring the realities or pretending they are real. No, Christian submission to whatever God sends comes from knowing that God is good. This is the way Joseph learnt contentment with his situation, Gen. 50:20, ‘As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.’ Examine Mary’s song in verses 46-55 and see how much she sings about God’s mercy, goodness, grace and faithfulness. Her confident submission is a glad submission. She does not throw her hands up in the air because it is beyond her power to change it, but deliberately bows her will and shapes her will to God’s.

There has been a great misunderstanding in Catholic circles over Mary’s words. The words ‘let it be’ are called Mary’s fiat. Just as God spoke the world into being and said, ‘let there be’ and it was so. So it is claimed that Mary authorized the life and death of Christ. It is claimed that the universe was at a turning point when the angel Gabriel was speaking with Mary and it were as if all the saints of the OT were waiting and begging Mary to give her permission so that God could do His plan. But these are not the words of authorizing God’s plan but these are Mary’s words of humble submission to her Master and Lord.

Mary then is Mary’s faith. It is not to be despised. We see in Luke 1:45 that Mary is blessed because of her faith, ‘And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. "’

Conclusion

We have learned in this passage that the virgin birth is true and it is God’s way of bringing Christ into this world. It was necessary for Christ to have sinless human nature in order to redeem sinful humanity by becoming the perfect, spotless offering of sacrifice for our sins. Because of the virgin birth through the work of the Holy Spirit empowering Mary to conceive, Jesus is both God and man. God’s personality is eternal that is also why it must be by virgin birth, because Jesus already existed in eternity before he was born a man.

Let us therefore learn and imitate Mary’s faith and attitude – to be wholly trusted and secure in God because He is good and He is in control of everything, even if problems are arising and coming. Because what He promises He will fulfill. And this is Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17:24 MKJV, “Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me, that they may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world.” If we are already Christ’s by accepting Him in faith, then our future is secure in heaven – this is our Lord’s desire for us and it will surely come to pass. Amen.