And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. (Luke 1:46-48)
Were you ever asked what you wanted to be when you grew up? Did any of you answer a servant? What about a slave? I’m guessing not. It might have been an actor, a baseball player, a train engineer, a teacher….
Even if you are not a Downton Abbey fan, you are probably familiar through books or movies with the British butler, the lady’s maid, the housekeeper, the cook, the chauffeur, etc. The servants on the estate were not enslaved by any means, but they were certainly expected to serve with impeccable obedience to the will of the lord, lady, earl, duchess, etc.
The Greek word for servant that is used in Luke is “doulos,” meaning a servant or slave. In the Christian scriptures, servant/slave is a common term the early Christians used to describe their position in relation to Jesus Christ. For example, the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote, “Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God….” And Peter, preaching to the crowds, quotes a scripture, “Even upon my slaves (servants), both men and women, in those days I (God) will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”
Mary says she is the servant of the Lord. She unmistakably has had God’s spirit poured out on her as she carries this Son. In her song, which I am reflecting on this advent, she certainly prophesies (in the biblical sense) about what God is doing. She has been obedient to Gabriel’s message from God that she will bear the messiah: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:38. And now Mary has gone to visit Elizabeth for awhile at Gabriel’s request. So far she is serving with obedience the will of the Lord and setting the standard for all future servants of Christ, including Paul and Peter, and down to us.
What am I going to be when I grow up? A servant? A slave of Christ?
My answer at this late stage of my life is that I hope so. I am certain, however, that I have not nor ever will serve impeccably. But then, neither did Paul or Peter…….or the Downton Abbey crew for that matter.
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