Before Jesus Filled Mary’s Womb

Before Jesus filled Mary’s womb, Mary first agreed to His arrival. Be it done to me according to Thy word, she said as she embraced God’s will. She made a choice. Her pregnancy was voluntary.

Before Jesus arrived in Mary’s womb, He first agreed with the Father’s will. Were words spoken? Perhaps. We don’t know. But still, Jesus made a choice. Another yielding. Another “Thy will be done.” His arrival on earth was voluntary.

“Thy will be done” also ended Jesus’ time on earth. In Gethsemane’s garden He again agreed with the Father’s will. This time He spoke in agony – Thy will be done … and then went to the cross. His death was voluntary.

In Matthew 6:9-10, Jesus tells us to agree with the Father’s will:

Pray then in this way,
Our Father who is in heaven,
Holy be your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus commands us to agree with the Father’s will, but – and this is important – He does not force us to agree. Commands by their very nature can (as we well know) be disobeyed. Our yielding to God’s will is voluntary.

“Thy will be done” sometimes brings a rush of joy. Sometimes though, before joy arrives, it costs us dearly. Mary’s willingness to embrace the Father’s will brought her both the joy of holding the God-child to her breast and the agony of watching Him die. Jesus willingness to embrace the Father’s will brought Him to the Christmas manger. It also brought Him to the cross.

Why did they do it? We’re told that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2). He knew something with which we struggle: “Thy will be done” always ends with joy. Always. Jesus knew that. Mary believed that. How about you?

Before Jesus Filled Mary’s Womb
© Lynne Fox, 2015
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