Luke 1:26 -28 says, “During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Rejoice, beloved young woman, for the Lord is with you and you are anointed with great favor.””
For many centuries people have looked at Mary the mother of Jesus like she was one level above everyone else. Like she was special. Yes, Mary was bestowed one of the greatest honours there is, she carried and birthed our Saviour. But that did not make her better than anyone else or special. She was ordinary. The Bible by no means put special emphasis on her or highlighted her as being better than the rest of us. In fact, when Mary went to look for Jesus one time, what did Jesus do?
Matthew 12:46-50 says, “While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking for him to come out and speak with them. Then someone said, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to have a word with you.” But Jesus just looked at him and said, “Let me introduce you to my true mother and brothers.” Then gesturing to the disciples gathered around him, he said, “Look closely, for this is my true family. When you obey my heavenly Father, that makes you a part of my true family.””
Was Jesus disowning His mother and brothers? No. He was making a point that it is not about blood relations, it is about covenant relationship. Jesus has made a covenant with us through His blood, and we are His true family.
Mary was a human like you and me. She needed a Saviour, just like us. She was trusted with the amazing job of birthing Jesus and raising Him but that did not make her any different from us. She still sinned. Yes, because if she didn’t then the Bible would be lying when it says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). That is all except Jesus who knew no sin. Why is it important to talk about this? Because there are people who are stuck. They think God looks for special people. Sinless people. Favoured people. But do you know you too can have favour with God?
Proverbs 3:34, “If you walk with the mockers you will learn to mock, but God’s grace and favor flow to the meek.” Matthew 5:5 says, “What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth.” This is Jesus speaking. In the Passion Translation there is a little note after the word “gentleness” and it explains what gentleness (or meekness) means in that verse. It says, “…Jesus is saying that when you claim nothing as yours, everything will be given to you. The Aramaic word, makeekheh, implies being both gentle and flexible.”
So how do we become gentle so we can get this favour? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures kindness in action a life full of virtue, faith that prevails gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”
Gentleness comes when we let Holy Spirit transform us into Christ’s likeness and our lives bear Holy Spirit fruit. When we are gentle and flexible, nothing will be withheld from us. Mary had to be gentle and flexible. Receiving news that she was going to be pregnant out of wedlock, news which meant she may lose her fiancé and her family and respect in the community and would be rejected, took gentleness and trust in God. It also took flexibility. She wasn’t set in her plans to marry Joseph with her 5 year plan. She said this in Luke 1:38 after receiving the news, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Some of us in Mary’s position would have said a lot of words that we would not want to read in our Bible! Mary was humble. God looks for the humble and available. God has a plan for your life in the same way He had a plan for Mary’s life. There are some things God wants to birth in the earth through you. Are you gentle and flexible is the question this Christmas? Are you available for the Lord to do as He wills in your life? Or are you fully committed to your 10 year plan and that’s that. God is looking for ordinary people. He puts the super to our natural. You want to do something that will be talked about in heaven? It starts with meekness. It starts with gentleness.
Love and blessings,
Melissa Tsingano.
Heavenly Whispers Blog 
Leave a comment