Apples of Gold

Final preparations for Christmas celebrations are underway around the world. In Japan your order for Kentucky Fried Chicken was placed weeks ago. Germans have been hunting for the dill pickle hidden deep within their Christmas trees. In Iceland, families are making final selections for their Christmas Eve book exchange; followed by a cozy evening of snacks and reading around the fireplace. It seems the commonality regarding traditions is simply that we all have some!

It is fitting that the birth of Jesus is marked by such differing celebrations. Interestingly, the Prince of Peace is one of the most divisive and controversial figures in history. 

Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34

Gabriel’s announcement to Mary brought a rather unexpected initial response:

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Luke 1:26-29

To be fair, if an archangel showed up with a message from God, we would be confused and disturbed too. Terrified might be apropos as well! Mary was being given an incredible honor and privilege. Being the mother of the Savior of the world is a pretty high calling. Mary couldn’t grasp her new reality. Even as she tried to absorb the truth, the weight of the impact on her expected future must have been staggering.

Although Mary had many questions about what was coming her way, she put aside her concerns and willingly surrendered her present and her future to her God. 

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:39

Mary embraced her calling. Saying “Yes” most likely didn’t put an end to her confusion and concerns. It probably intensified them. What an example she sets for us. God didn’t give her all the details. He didn’t promise comfort and ease. Actually, shortly after the birth of Jesus he warned her that tough stuff was ahead:

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul. Luke 2:34-35

Like Mary, we can find ourselves in a place of disturbed confusion as we attempt to navigate our own calling. When things don’t seem to make sense, when the future we are facing doesn’t really fit with our 5 year plan, our confidence can waver. Changes may take us completely by surprise. Unexpected challenges might disturb our little world.  God may ask us to do things that seem far beyond our ability. He may ask us to lay down things, even good things, that do not line up with his perfect plan for our lives. He might ask us to pick up things that are unfamiliar and even        undesired.

This is where the rubber meets the road. When we are blindsided by the hand of God we have the choice to humbly submit, as Mary did, or attempt to explain the superiority of our plan to our Father. 

Our commitment and faith are tested when our desires must be abandoned in pursuit of God’s call. Many have found themselves shipwrecked at this juncture. 

Jesus presented the Pharisees with an opportunity to respond in humility. His firm correction was not what they wanted to hear. Notice the contrast between Mary’s response and that of the Pharisees:

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them-they were the wicked farmers. They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet. Matthew 21:42-46

They knew better, but the Pharisees stubbornly resisted the opportunity to do better. Rather than fall to their knees begging for forgiveness, they wanted to silence the voice speaking the words that confused and disturbed them.

Right from the start Jesus’ birth initiated disturbed confusion. The wise men sought his location in order to worship him. Herod attempted to hunt him down to destroy him. 

We will come face to face with opportunities to respond like Mary, with trepidatious trust, or like the Pharisees with selfish ambition. Even when he asks for monumental allegiance may we answer with unrelenting conviction:

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the twelve and asked “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69