The Courage to Say Yes

WHAT is the weightiest assignment that Jehovah has ever given to an imperfect human? Consider a young Jewish virgin named Mary. One day, when she was at home in Nazareth of Galilee, she suddenly received a most unusual visitor​—the angel Gabriel!

“Greetings, you highly favored one, Jehovah is with you,” said the angel. Mary was “deeply disturbed” at first. She did not think that she deserved such praise. Gabriel comforted her, telling her that she had “found favor with God.” Then he told her of an unprecedented assignment from Jehovah. He began this way: “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son.” But there was more: “This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” Her son would rule as King, the greatest heir of King David.

Mary mustered up the courage to ask a practical question. She was engaged but not yet married; she had never had relations with a man. She inquired: “How is this to be?” Gabriel explained that Jehovah’s own power, his holy spirit, would “overshadow” her, causing her to conceive a perfect offspring, one who would “be called holy, God’s Son.” He also told her what Jehovah had done for her relative Elizabeth. That was enough evidence for Mary. She simply said: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl! May it happen to me according to your declaration.” She saw Jehovah as her loving Master and herself as an obedient slave girl. She trusted that if she did his will, she would always be safe in his mighty hands. That outlook gave her the courage to say yes to this daunting assignment.

After the angel left, Mary traveled to see Elizabeth. The two women strengthened each other for what lay ahead. Mary expressed her own faith, revealing where much of her courage came from. In a brief speech, she made over 20 references or allusions to the Hebrew Scriptures! A woman of great faith, Mary pondered God’s Word deeply. Thus, she knew Jehovah well, and she had ample reason to trust his promises. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home. She needed great courage to tell Joseph that she was pregnant and how that had come to be. At first, Joseph found Mary’s story hard to believe, but Jehovah’s angel helped him to understand the truth.

After Mary and Joseph were married, the time drew near for her to give birth. Yet, Joseph brought her with him to Bethlehem, for a decree of Caesar called for all the people to get registered. In her condition, to journey some 150 kilometers (93 mi) on a donkey must have been daunting. But she went. She ended up giving birth in a stable and laying the baby in a feeding trough for animals. Still, her courage did not fail. To care for this precious son, she was determined to do the best she could with what she had.

Mary would need courage in the days and years ahead. She needed it when she, Joseph, and little Jesus fled to Egypt because of a death threat from King Herod. She needed it as she and Joseph, though poor, raised at least six more children. She needed it whenever it was that she lost her beloved husband, Joseph, likely before Jesus became the Messiah. She needed it when Jesus left home to carry out his assignment. Most of all, she needed it when Jesus was falsely accused, tried, and executed. Finally, she needed courage as she joined her son’s followers and faced the contempt of Jewish society.

What a weighty assignment Mary had! How did she find the courage to carry it out? The Bible reveals that when Mary learned something that strengthened her faith, she stored it up in her heart. So she had a wealth of spiritual treasures. Some came from God’s Word, some came from various angelic and human servants of Jehovah, and some came from her son. Meditating on spiritual truths helped Mary to face every challenge that came her way, down to the end.

Read the Bible account:

• Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7, 19, 48-51

For discussion:

In what ways did Mary show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. What historical evidence supports what is recorded at Luke 2:1-3? (g 4/11 11 ¶4-5) A

   Your answer

   

   British Library, London, UK, from the British Library archive/​Bridgeman Images

2. 2. Why would a journey to Bethlehem have been challenging for Mary? (ia 153-155 ¶4-7)

   Your answer

3. 3. When Jesus was still an infant, Mary was told: “A long sword will be run through you.” How were those words fulfilled? (Luke 2:35; w08 3/15 30 ¶8)

   Your answer

4. 4. Why may we conclude that Mary was rewarded with heavenly life? (w18.07 10 ¶14) B

   Your answer

   

Reflect on the Lessons

• When Mary needed strength and encouragement, she visited Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39, 40) Why should we reach out for help when we face a trial or we struggle with an assignment? C

  Your answer

  

• Although Mary was engaged to Joseph, Jehovah sent his angel to Mary first. What does this teach us about how Jehovah views faithful women?

  Your answer

• How might you imitate the courage of Mary?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

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• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• Why are you thankful that Mary was likely chosen to rule with Christ in heaven?

  Your answer

Learn More

Consider how Mary acted diligently and selflessly while raising her children.

“What Mary’s Example Can Teach Us” (w09 1/1 5 ¶5–6 ¶2)

What was it like for Mary to receive such a unique and weighty assignment from Gabriel?

“Look! Jehovah’s Slave Girl!” (3:40)