Mary was not qualified to be a mother when God asked her to be one. 

Mary, a young Jewish girl was engaged to be married to Joseph who was a carpenter.  In a years time after her wedding she would fully qualify to carry a child.  But while she was getting ready for the wedding, an angel went to Mary and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you (Luke 1:28).”  Seeing her bewildered the angel said to her, ” Don’t be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God (Luke 1:30).  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”  Mary found favor to carry Jesus within her.  We were not qualified to carry Jesus either but found favor in the sight of God.  Because of his grace and mercy he chose us.  God’s desire for the Bride of Christ is to carry Jesus the Savior to others.

To her family, her community, and her culture she was not qualified to carry a child.  She was not supposed to have a baby before marriage.  For Mary, obeying the voice of God meant rejection from her own family and community.     She would have to carry the shame and guilt of dishonoring the family for the rest of her life.  She would have to take care and provide for this child by herself.  Despite all this, Mary was willing and obedient.  Can we carry Jesus Christ despite our lacking qualifications,  despite the opposition and rejection we could face?

Others may not understand what God has spoken to you, or the visions and dreams that have been given to you.  They may oppose you, condemn you, or say it cannot be from the Lord.  You may have to do it all alone until the purpose is fully revealed.  It took Jesus 33 years to complete his purpose and even then many did not believe.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:35).”  When we wonder, but how can I do this, he says Holy Spirit will come upon us and the power of the Most High will overshadow us.  The power of the Holy Spirit enabled Mary to carry the impossible.  God has given us the Holy Spirit so we can do what he asks.

“Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not expose her to public disgrace (Matthew 1:19).”  Jesus’ righteousness covered our sin, shame, guilt, and fear.  We the Church, “His Bride,” have his Name, his provision, his protection, and his covering.  We are fully qualified because of Jesus’ righteousness.  Mary yielded to his voice and was obedient to his word.

To our family, community and world we may not be qualified to serve the Lord.  We ourselves may think we are not qualified because of the enemy’s reminder of our past, imperfections, inadequacies, and inabilities.  Let us renew our mind with God’s word and remember that our past is covered by his righteousness, our present is empowered by the Holy Spirit and our future is in the hands of the Lord.  Be a spiritual mother that carries the Lord and Savior.  

When God qualifies us in Jesus, we are qualified indeed.

(Part 1 – Mothers Day Message)