Obedience

Luke: 1:38 ESV
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word…”

Matthew 1:24 ESV
“Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary [to his home] as his wife…”

The Bible offers only glimpses into the lives of Jesus’s mother and step father Joseph. Out of all people who would ever live on earth, they were chosen to care for the Son of God during His childhood. These two were privileged to be an intimate part of the Messiah’s early childhood and they shared a common trait: Immediate obedience!

When Mary recieved the words of Gabriel, she did not utter a word about the need to first discuss the matter with her fiancé Joseph or her parents. She did not ponder the pluses and minuses of how this turn of events would impact her life goals and community reputation. What was Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel’s message that she, an unmarried virgin, would conceive and give birth to the Son of God? “Let it be to me according to your words…”

Similarly, Joseph demonstrated immediate obedience in his response to the situation. Upon learning of Mary’s unplanned pregnancy, Joseph intended to quietly break off the engagement. But when God told him in a dream to do otherwise, Joseph did not first debate with Him. Instead it is recorded: that as soon as he awoke from his sleep, he followed God’s instructions and made Mary his wife.

Immediate obedience is hard for most people. We debate, ponder, make excuses or say, “surely God does not expect this of me,” and we walk away. But obedience is not an option with God, it is a requirement. I believe if we look at the Christmas story there was a whole lot of immediate obedience going on.

Prayer:
Father, I know my immediate obedience in some matters is lacking. Forgive me for my hesitation. I know the spirit is willing but the flesh is week.