In the eyes of the world, Mary was a nobody living in a nowhere town. She expected her life to take the traditional trajectory. She would marry young, have children, and live a quiet life of servitude, eventually fading into obscurity.

But the Lord foresaw a different trajectory for her life. He would grant her the highest honor among women. She, a virgin, would give birth to the Son of God. 

This honor would turn her life upside down. It would paint her and her fiancé in an unflattering light, would subject her to ridicule and rumors, and possibly even put her life at risk.

Instead of saying, “Thank you, but I’ll pass,” her response to the news demonstrates spiritual maturity well beyond her years: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.”

When God Interrupts

Nazareth was a tiny town of no more than 400 people. There a teen named Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Just six months after the angel Gabriel visited the husband of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, he paid Mary a visit.

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.”

—Luke 1:28-31 (ESV)

This would be no ordinary Son. Gabriel said this Son would “be great and will be called the Son of the Most High . . . and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:32-33 ESV).

Imagine the thoughts ricocheting through Mary’s mind. What does this mean? How? Why her? Why now? But she stuck to just one question, the product of a curious and innocent mind: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 

Gabriel explained Mary would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. As evidence of God’s ability to do the unexpected, he told her of her elderly cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy, “for nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 ESV).

For Mary, that was explanation enough.

Mary’s Song of Worship

Mary was old enough to know the potential ramifications of this news.  Joseph would have justification to abandon her. Her community would have justification to stone her for perceived harlotry.

She immediately left to go visit her cousin Elizabeth in Judah. Upon arriving, Elizabeth’s baby—Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist—leapt in his mother’s womb. The Holy Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that she was in the presence of God incarnate, leading her to proclaim Him as her Savior and Lord. 

Then Mary, weary from her travels but elated in her spirit, broke out in song. Her proclamation of praise has become known as “The Magnificat.”

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble state of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.

—Luke 1:46-50

She had seen for herself the Lord’s mercy on those who fear Him. His mercies continued.

Soon after, her fiancé would also have an angelic encounter that dissuaded him from divorcing her (Matthew 1:19-23). Together their courage and commitment would result in a dividing line in history as God became flesh.

What We Can Learn from Her

When our plans are sidelined, we often feel entitled to answers to all our questions. We resent the interruptions. Mary never asked, “Why me?” She didn’t request a step-by-step breakdown of how she should navigate the curveball thrown at her.

Instead, she responded with humility, courage and faith.

She surrendered herself to the greatest responsibility any woman has ever faced: being entrusted with raising the Son of God, the Savior of the world. She made no excuses. Instead, she kept doing the next right thing.

But Mary also didn’t exploit the honor bestowed upon her to gain bragging rights. She saw herself for who she was—a humble servant whom God chose to bless. And she saw the Lord for who He is—a mighty, holy and merciful Savior.

Mary teaches us the importance of confidence in a God who would not fail her. What was true for her is true for us: And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.

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This is Part 13 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.