Mary, the highly favoured one of God

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I was about to conclude the series on favor when the Holy Spirit directed me to Luke 1:28: “And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.’” At that moment, I realized I had overlooked Mary, the “highly favored one” of the Lord. Introduced with this title in the first chapter of Luke, she stands out in Scripture. What qualities attracted the Lord’s favor on her? As I meditated, several reasons became clear.

Mary’s Submission to God’s Will

In Luke 1, Mary refers to herself as the “maidservant of the Lord,” a term that reflects her complete submission and devotion. Maidservants, in biblical times, were considered the property of their masters, living not to fulfill their own desires but to carry out their master’s will. Mary exemplified this mindset. When the Lord sought someone to bring His Son into the world, His gaze rested on Mary.

Accepting this divine assignment was an extraordinary privilege, one that came with immense personal cost. At the time of the angel’s visitation, Mary was already betrothed to Joseph. Jewish law required betrothed women to remain with their families until marriage, and any sexual relations during this period were considered adultery, punishable by stoning. Upon discovering her pregnancy, Joseph initially resolved to divorce her quietly, as permitted by the Mosaic law. This decision left Mary facing the dual threats of divorce and death, yet she chose to embrace God’s plan.

I wonder how she managed such a dire situation. This young woman might have lost all the hopes of a blessed married life. After all, who would choose to marry a woman found pregnant before marriage? To society, her pregnancy was indefensible. It was unimaginable that anyone would believe her claim—that the child she carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit, a miracle unprecedented in Israel’s history. She risked being labeled a “liar” and an “adulteress,” though she was innocent. Paradoxically, while society judged her as guilty, the Lord affirmed her purity. This tension between divine truth and human perception must have been both isolating and deeply challenging for Mary. In addition, she must have wrestled with thoughts of fear and uncertainty: Who will stay by my side and support me if I am found pregnant before marriage? Who will care for me and the child? How will I explain this situation to my family? How would her family react? Who would believe her story? Who would support her and the child? How will I respond to those who mock me? How will I raise the child? What will I say to Joseph? Despite these overwhelming challenges, she submitted fully to God’s will, declaring her deep desire to walk in a way worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:10)

Mary’s Willingness to Suffer Shame

Acts 5:41 states, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Mary, like the apostles, gladly accepted the shame of her situation to fulfill God’s purpose of saving humanity. Society may have branded her as a liar or adulteress, but she bore the stigma willingly since for her, fulfilling the will of God took precedence over her marriage and societal reputation.

Though the world doubted her, God’s protection never failed. At a time when Mary likely feared rejection by Joseph, God intervened by sending an angel to reassure Joseph and instruct him to take Mary as his wife. Even when they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s threats, Joseph stood by her side, ensuring her safety and sustenance. Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” In Mary’s case, everything aligned for her good as she fully surrendered to God’s plan. Her submission brought redemption to humanity and earned her the title “Blessed Mary ” although she had to go through a phase of shame and trouble. 

The Humility That Attracted God’s Favor

Another striking quality of Mary was her humility. Proverbs 29:23 states, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”Mary’s humility is evident in her response to God’s interruption of her plans. She let go of her personal dreams, trusting that God’s plan was far greater. In her song of praise, she declared, “For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). Only a person with a humble spirit can accept the will of God, regardless of the pain it entails.

This humility of hers mirrors the attitude of Jesus, who said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Few are willing to set aside their ambitions to pursue God’s purposes, but Mary did so willingly.

Mary’s Purity in Life and Spirit

The Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 declares: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This foretold that the birth of Jesus would occur through a virgin. While sexual purity was a fundamental requirement for fulfilling this prophecy, it is likely that other women in Israel also met this standard. What set Mary apart, however, was not only her virginity but her exceptional purity in words, deeds, and actions. She lived a life wholly devoted to God, embodying holiness.Her walk with God glorified Him, drawing His attention and favor to her as the chosen vessel for this divine purpose.

Mary’s Readiness to Serve

Even after the angelic visitation, Mary did not rest. Upon hearing of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, she traveled quickly to the hill country to serve her cousin (Luke 1:39-40). Despite being in the early stages of her pregnancy, Mary did not remain idle; instead, she quickly embarked on a journey to fulfill a divine assignment. Elizabeth and the child within her were to be filled with the Holy Spirit, a purpose that was accomplished through Mary, who made herself fully available for God’s work.

Her willingness to be used by God is evident again at the wedding in Cana. When the wine ran out, she approached Jesus to address the family’s need, ensuring that the family would be free from the embarrassment of not providing wine, an essential element of Jewish weddings. It is clear why the angel was sent to Mary; the Lord knew with full assurance that she would wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility of carrying Jesus in her womb and fulfill His divine purpose.

Mary’s Remarkable Obedience

Finally, Mary’s obedience stands out as a defining trait. Upon hearing the angel’s message, she responded, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Later, at the wedding in Cana, she instructed the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it”(John 2:5). Her obedience to God in both great and small matters compelled Him to pour out His favor on her life.

Mary’s life serves as a profound model of submission, humility, purity, and obedience, virtues that uniquely positioned her to receive God’s favor. Do you desire to experience God’s favor in your own life? If so, it is essential to cultivate these same qualities. Let obedience to God, humility, and a readiness to surrender to His will be the guiding principles of your life.