This weekend I sat with a unique perspective as Nina played
Mary in our church’s Christmas Program.
As she sang her solo, tears began to well up in my eyes, of course I was
proud, and she was cute, and joy overwhelmed me. But for those few lines of the song, I was
transported into the shoes of Mary’s dad.
Nina’s solo said: “I am the Lord’s, I belong to Him, I will call Him
Jesus, Jesus, the Son of God.” What
powerful words, not said lightly in Luke 2:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary
answered. “May it be to me as you have
said.”
The incarnation of Jesus did not come without serious
impact. As a father, I pray that my
daughter will respond to God with the words, “God I’m yours, I belong to you.” But as a protector, I realize that I
relinquish control and the way that plays out leaves me quaking. Following Jesus brings with it inherent risk
to our comfort and will. In response to
God’s call, my baby girl could follow Jesus across the country, or into the
jungles of an unfamiliar nation where the danger of disease, animals, or broken
humans could cause her harm.
Mary’s response to carry the Son of God, meant that she
could lose her future husband Joseph, who was not the boys biological father,
lose her reputation and dignity, or lose her life. I believe that behind the scenes of the
scriptural text stood Mary’s father who feared these losses as well. He felt the shame towards his family, the
fear, and heartache at the thought of losing his child. Yet, Mary responded “My soul glorifies the
Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
I can’t help thinking that her peace in the face of difficult
circumstances was contagious. As hard as
it was for her father to relinquish the task of protecting his little girl, I
hope in his tears he felt an overwhelming peace that one much more capable was
in control. That the presence of God
that dwelt inside his daughter would bring peace to the hearts of mankind, an
everlasting peace that could not be destroyed by anyone or anything had entered
the world.
I’m reminded that Jesus breaking into human history was not just
an occasion to overtake the government, or stop all war and conflict. Jesus came to save the world, bringing peace
that would break the chains of oppression, injustice, war, and sin. In the presence of Jesus we can experience
power that makes every obstacle and fear pale in comparison. I want to experience Jesus like Paul said “I want
TO KNOW Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing
in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain
to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10). Our call to follow Jesus is not a call to an
easy, comfortable, or happy life. Instead,
it is a call to experience the power of love and peace in the face of any circumstance
that this world throws at us, knowing the one who has come to us, to overcome
the world, and give us His life so that we may too.
I am the Lord’s, I belong to Him…
