2/4/2026

Day 4: 

Mary’s Submission

Luke 1:26–38 (NLT)

Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel stands among Scripture’s clearest pictures of surrendered humility. She was not a prophet, priest, or leader—just a young, unmarried girl from Nazareth, a town of no reputation. Yet God entrusted her with the greatest assignment ever given to a human being: to carry, birth, and raise the Son of God. Heaven’s announcement would overturn her life, endanger her future, and place her reputation in jeopardy. And still, Mary said yes.

Luke tells us that when Gabriel greeted her, “Mary was confused and disturbed” (Luke 1:29, NLT). Favor did not feel flattering—it felt frightening. God’s favor often interrupts rather than affirms our plans. The angel’s message promised glory but guaranteed cost. Mary would conceive by the Holy Spirit, a miracle that would appear scandalous to everyone else. In a culture where premarital pregnancy could lead to public disgrace or even death, Mary’s obedience carried real risk.

Her question—“How can this happen? I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34, NLT)—was not unbelief but humility. Unlike Zechariah, who doubted God’s word (Luke 1:18–20), Mary simply asked how God would accomplish what He promised. When Gabriel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you… For the word of God will never fail” (Luke 1:35, 37, NLT), Mary did not ask for guarantees, timelines, or protection. She surrendered.

Her response defines submission: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38, NLT). The word “servant” is doulos—a bondservant, one who belongs entirely to another. Mary did not negotiate. She did not condition her obedience on understanding. She yielded her body, her future, and her reputation to God’s will.

Mary’s surrender did not end with this moment. Throughout Jesus’ life, she consistently remained in the posture of humility. At Cana, she simply said, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5, NLT), then stepped back. At the cross, she stood silently as her Son suffered, fulfilling Simeon’s prophecy: “A sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35, NLT). She did not protest or accuse God; she trusted Him through grief she could not explain.

After the resurrection, Mary appears again—not elevated, not exalted—but praying with the other believers, waiting for the Spirit (Acts 1:14). The woman chosen to bear the Messiah demanded no recognition. She took no title. She remained a servant.

Mary teaches us that humility is not weakness—it is courageous obedience. It is trusting God when obedience threatens your image, costs you comfort, and leads you into misunderstanding. Scripture echoes her example: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, NLT). Submission says God’s purposes matter more than personal security.

This week, deliberately surrender one area where obedience feels risky. Choose obedience without explanation. Serve without defending yourself. Obey without requiring clarity. Write Mary’s words and pray them daily: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Let your obedience be quiet, complete, and courageous.

True submission is not understanding God’s plan, but trusting God enough to say yes before the plan makes sense.