Obstacle Does Not Mean Impossible

(A devotion for our church for this past Sunday.)

Obstacle Does Not Mean Impossible

Luke 1:39-45

Paul Stroble

To quote the introduction to the sermon series, “Sometimes, God places a clear challenge before us. We may even wish that we couldn’t see as much detail because now we know how big a mountain we are being asked to move. This week we will consider the stories of two women who could clearly see how much God’s ‘ask’ was going to complicate their lives. How might their responses help us tackle God’s next ‘ask?’”

I enjoy the story of Mary and Elizabeth. It is a beautiful story of how the Holy Spirit “networks” people and accomplishes God’s wonderful work. At one point in my career, I considered doing ministry among older adults. Mary’s seeking out of Elizabeth is a reminder (as Pastor Linda points out) of the wisdom to be found among folks who have lived a long time.

Right before this story in Luke, Mary is greeted by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel promises to her a son named Jesus, “the Son of the Most High” who will assume the throne of David and rule for his people forever (Luke 1:28-33).

Martin Luther once wrote, “…there are here three miracles: that God and man should be joined in this Child; that a mother should remain a virgin; that Mary should have such faith as to believe that this mystery would be accomplished in her.” Luther added that Mary’s faith was as great as these other miracles. Hypothetically, she could have disbelieved the angel’s words. But she did believe and became the mother of God.

At the time, Elizabeth is six months pregnant. Elizabeth is past child-bearing years and has no children. She, too, has been given a great gift—a son who would herald the arrival of Messiah. In our story, Mary traveled in haste to visit Elizabeth, perhaps in happiness at Gabriel’s announcement, perhaps to feel affirmed through the company of a trusted relative. (For whatever reason, Mary’s parents are not mentioned in the Christmas stories.) Writers have speculated that Mary’s journey may have lasted three or four days, through hill country that was not necessarily hospitable. Mary was a strong person to begin with!

Of course, the episode brims over with excitement, anticipation, and joy. As Pastor Linda says in her message, Elizabeth has been keeping to herself, with a temporarily mute husband. When she and Mary meet, Elizabeth’s child—who would be named John—leaps in her womb. Elizabeth declares through the Spirit’s power:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

The first sentence of that scripture is the text of the beautiful Ave Maria: Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui. In the power of the Spirit, Elizabeth blessed Mary and the child in her womb.

The smallness of the story is also a lesson in God’s ability to overcome any human obstacles. In all the vast area of the Roman Empire, in an occupied territory of the near east, we learn of two women who are not at all insignificant. They are the major figures in God’s salvation of the world!

These, of course, are stories of Bible people, whom we’d expect to be special. But has God removed obstacles in your life? How have you known God’s amazing grace? In my own life, I’ve known several surprising circumstances that shows me God’s work for good (Rom. 8:28). Events that didn’t make much sense became meaningful overtime—sometimes across many years. I realized how God had guided me all along, even though I wasn’t at all sure of God’s provision.

Eventually, Mary knew great sorrow when her son was put to death. But shortly, her sorrow was turned to joy. With God, even death is not an obstacle!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us have faith in your wonderful work in our lives, no matter how difficult things seem to be. Amen.

(I wrote on this scripture in the 1997 and 2009 Advent study books for Abingdon Press. I reworked, condensed, and adapted those studies for this devotion.)