The Peace Of Mary
Luke 1:26-49

Mary’s desire was peace in her LIFE
Mary grew up in Nazareth—a small, rural town of less than 1000 in northern Israel. As a young teenager, Mary probably had dreams of marrying a godly Jewish man, starting a family, and running a home. Eventually, she met Joseph and they entered into a time of ‘betrothal’ (usually around a year) where they were legally married but not living together or sexually active. The greatest peace comes from living a life that honors God the most! This time of betrothal would be used for Joseph to build a home and for Mary to prepare to be a wife, mother, and house-manager. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to inform Mary she had found ‘favor’, and that God would bring His Son into the world by her (Is. 7:14). Sometimes God’s favor brings unrest to our peaceful plans! Gabriel’s startling, supernatural appearance may have been needed to remove all doubt about the reality that she, as a virgin, would have a boy! As no women become pregnant without assistance from a man, the idea of a virginal pregnancy was impossible for anyone to imagine, even Mary. God can make peace possible, even in impossible situations!

Mary’s reality was peace in her DIFFICULTY
To a Jewish teenager with a heart to please God, the idea of pregnancy before her marriage ceremony was a nightmare—even one where she kept her virginity! Once she is told of the difficult situation, she calls herself a ‘slave (bondservant) of the Lord’. For Mary, God controlled all of who she was. Even as a teenager, she was ready to give God anything that was required. God can give spiritual peace inside when there is circumstantial chaos outside! While still living in her father’s house, Mary took the stigma of a young woman who lacked self-control—to be gossiped about, bullied, and marginalized. God saw the strength of Mary’s faith and knew He could trust her with the greatest movement in history—salvation to the world through Jesus (Matt. 1:21). Anxious feelings are overcome by continually trusting in God (John 14:27; Phil. 4:6, 7; 1 Pet. 5:7)! Mary was paradoxically the creation that would bring forth the Creator. Though not immaculate herself—even she needed God as her Savior—she submissively trusted God knowing peace comes from Him (Ps. 29:11). The supernatural peace of God sustains the believer through all natural drama in the world!