Here Am I, the Servant of the Lord

Here Am I, the Servant of the Lord

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

In Luke 1:26-38, we encounter the powerful moment of The Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive and bear Jesus, the Son of God. Through the birth of Christ, God’s justice is about to break into the world in a new way! Jesus will not only inherit the throne of David (Luke 1:32), but He will usher in a kingdom where justice flows like an unending stream. Christ’s reign is one of righteousness and peace, restoring the world to what God intended, fulfilling the promises of God and bringing hope to the oppressed and marginalised, offering redemption and salvation.

Mary’s response to this remarkable visitation and request, is a profound example of faith seeking understanding. When Gabriel announces that she will bear the Son of God, Mary does not respond with passive submission. Instead, with thoughtful engagement, she asks, “How can this be?” (1:34), engaging in holy disputation as an act of faith. Mary’s questioning is justified, for it is her body that will give life to the child at great expense. This moment reminds us that God is the giver of free will and of liberation, and Mary’s consent, “let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), demonstrates her willingness and faith in God’s word, despite seemingly insurmountable risks and challenges.

In this passage we find a direct parallel of Mary’s reply to the response of Jesus, when Jesus prays in the garden of Gethsemane, “yet not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). There is a sacredness to both of these moments, a humble submission and the ultimate surrender. Mary accepts the call to let justice flow through her life and into the world, participating in God’s plan for the benefit of all humanity and creation. This reminds us today that our freedom in Christ is a gift that should be considered wisely, and challenges us to align with God’s righteous purposes.

Discipleship, as Mary demonstrates, involves the humble trust and courageous obedience needed to live in service to God's kingdom. By saying ‘yes’ to God’s call, Mary sets an example for all who seek to follow Christ, mirroring the justice of God by actively participating in His redemptive plan, and demonstrating that justice flows from a heart that is fully surrendered to God’s will. 

In this Advent season, we are reminded that, like Mary, we are called to be disciples who let justice flow through our lives. 

We are called to be agents of peace and reconciliation, participating in God’s kingdom here and now. May we have the courage to say ‘yes’ to God’s call, surrendering our lives completely to Christ, responding with “Here am I, the servant of the Lord”. May we be bold enough to live out this call every day, allowing justice to flow from our hearts, bringing grace, hope and love into a world in need.

Sam McDonell is a creative strategist and leader focused on Biblical justice and community transformation. She lives on Turrbal Country (North Brisbane QLD) with her husband, Ben, their three children, and Leroy the cavoodle. As a Christian minister with diverse ecumenical experience, Sam holds post-graduate qualifications in theology and ministry. Currently, she works in community partnerships and missional innovation across Queensland, while also lecturing in ministry studies.

This devotional is part of a series of daily email devotionals for Advent 2024 reflecting on the life-giving, thirst quenching justice of Jesus we long to see flow across these lands. A justice overflowing with love and compassion, bringing forth hope, healing, nourishment and flourishing for all.

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