Favor

His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.---Mary, from her Magnificat, Luke 1:50

 

Here was this little Jewish Nazarene girl, some say around the age of 14, chosen to bring Christmas to the world. Gabriel called her the "Favored one". What did this "favor" bring her? It brought her joy. Her joy was like that of Moses and the children of Israel after they had crossed the Red Sea. They sang of God's deliverance, and now this little girl who had been dedicated from birth to serving Yahweh was singing too. This "favor" also brought her great purpose and responsibility. Gabriel told her about her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. The scripture says that Mary "made haste" to get to Elizabeth. Her desire to be with her cousin was two-fold; she wanted to be with someone who had also been visited by the Angel and given great purpose, and, she wanted to help Elizabeth in her pregnancy. Elizabeth was very old. Mary's servant heart directed her always. What else did "Favor" bring her? Simeon, the priest who was waiting to see the Messiah, told Mary that a "sword would pierce her heart." Favor was going to bring this little girl much sorrow and grief. This Child in her womb would be the target of hell itself! The demons always knew who He was. Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt, a place with no family or friends. A place Moses and Israel had fled from. The favor meant displacement and loneliness. Mary never left His side as He suffered and carried the cross to Golgotha. She stood at the foot of the cross as He writhed in pain and died. We must remember that God's "favor" is a deep and mysterious thing, never quite what we expect.

 

wkm 

 

Mary visits ELizabeth