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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll discover how Mary’s complete surrender to God’s will made her the perfect example of faithful obedience, even when God’s plans seemed impossible to understand.

Key Verse

Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Introduction

When God wanted to send His Son into the world, He could have chosen any method He desired. He could have sent Jesus as a full-grown man, appearing suddenly with power and glory. Instead, God chose the most humble path possible—He chose to be born as a baby to a young Jewish girl in the small town of Nazareth.

Mary was probably a teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her with the most shocking announcement any woman has ever received. She would become the mother of the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son who would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Everything about this announcement challenged human understanding. How could a virgin conceive? How could the eternal God become a human baby? How could she, a simple girl from Nazareth, play such a crucial role in God’s plan?

Yet Mary’s response reveals a heart completely surrendered to God’s will. She didn’t demand explanations or ask for guarantees about how everything would work out. Instead, she humbly submitted to God’s plan, trusting Him completely even when she couldn’t understand the details.

From the moment of the annunciation until her final appearance in Scripture, Mary consistently demonstrates what it means to live in faithful submission to God. Her life teaches us five essential principles about following God’s will:

• Surrender to God’s will
• Wait on God’s mysteries
• Follow the lead of Jesus
• Stand through suffering
• Remain with God’s people

Surrender to God’s Will

When the angel Gabriel first appeared to Mary, his message was both wonderful and terrifying (Luke 1:26–38). He told her that she had found favor with God and would conceive and give birth to a son who would be called the Son of the Most High. For a young, unmarried woman in her culture, this announcement brought enormous challenges.

Luke 1:34-35: “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Mary had every human reason to be afraid. She could face rejection from Joseph, disgrace in her community, and even death under the law. Yet when Gabriel finished explaining God’s plan, Mary’s response showed the heart of a true servant of God.

Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Notice what Mary didn’t say. She didn’t ask for time to think it over. She didn’t negotiate the terms or ask for a different assignment. She didn’t demand proof that everything would work out well. Instead, she immediately identified herself as the Lord’s servant and surrendered completely to His will.

(Notebook Moment: When God asks you to do something that seems difficult or uncertain, what is usually your first response? How does Mary’s immediate surrender challenge you to trust God more completely?)

This same spirit of submission should characterize every believer’s response to God’s calling. When we truly understand that God is sovereign and that His plans are always good, we can surrender to Him even when we don’t understand all the details.

Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Mary’s surrender teaches us that true worship begins with submitting to whatever God asks of us. This doesn’t mean blind obedience, but rather informed trust in God’s character and promises.

Wait on God’s Mysteries

One of the most beautiful aspects of Mary’s character was her willingness to wait patiently for God to reveal His purposes rather than trying to figure everything out on her own. When extraordinary events occurred that she couldn’t fully understand, Mary didn’t demand immediate explanations or become anxious—she waited on God to unfold His plan in His perfect timing.

After Jesus was born and the shepherds came to worship Him, sharing their story about the angels’ announcement, everyone who heard it was amazed. But Mary’s response was different and profound.

Luke 2:19: But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The word “pondered” here means to bring together and to reflect deeply, but more importantly, it shows Mary’s patient trust in God’s timing. She understood that God reveals His purposes gradually, and she was content to wait on Him rather than demanding immediate understanding. Mary was like a faithful servant, collecting each piece of God’s revelation and waiting for Him to show how they all fit together.

This pattern continued throughout Jesus’ childhood. When Mary and Joseph found twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, amazing the teachers with His understanding, they didn’t comprehend His words about being in His Father’s house. Once again, Mary’s response shows us her patient heart.

Luke 2:51: Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Mary teaches us that waiting on God requires both humility and faith. She didn’t try to force understanding or become frustrated when God’s plan remained unclear. Instead, she trusted that God would reveal what she needed to know when she needed to know it.

Isaiah 40:31: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

(Notebook Moment: What promises or experiences from God are you currently holding in your heart as you wait for Him to reveal His purposes? How might learning to wait patiently on God’s timing, rather than demanding immediate answers, strengthen your faith?)

This willingness to wait on God reveals the depth of Mary’s relationship with Him. She wasn’t just going through religious motions—she was actively trusting God to reveal His character and purposes in His perfect timing. This is a model for every believer who wants to grow in spiritual maturity.

Follow the Lead of Jesus

Throughout her life, Mary demonstrated remarkable obedience to Jesus, even when His ways seemed puzzling or His timing appeared wrong. At the wedding in Cana, we see a perfect example of Mary’s willingness to follow Jesus’ lead, regardless of whether she understood His methods.

John 2:3-4: When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

Jesus’ response might have seemed confusing or even disappointing to Mary. She had brought Him a genuine problem, and His answer suggested He wasn’t ready to act. Any mother might have been tempted to argue, explain the urgency of the situation, or try a different approach. But Mary had learned something crucial about her Son through thirty years of watching Him grow—He could always be trusted, even when His ways didn’t make immediate sense.

Mary’s response reveals the heart of someone who has learned to follow Jesus completely, without needing to understand every detail of His plan.

John 2:5: His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

These five words contain a lifetime of wisdom and faith. Mary didn’t try to predict what Jesus would do or explain to the servants how He might solve the problem. She simply directed them to obey whatever He commanded. This phrase shows us Mary’s complete confidence in Jesus’ wisdom and power, even when she couldn’t see how He would work.

Notice that Mary didn’t just follow Jesus herself—she pointed others toward Him as well. When faced with a difficult situation, her instinct was to bring people to Jesus and encourage them to obey His words. This is exactly the role that Mary wants to play in our lives today—not as someone we pray to or worship, but as an example who points us directly to Christ.

(Notebook Moment: When Jesus asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense to you, what is usually your response? How does Mary’s simple instruction to “do whatever he tells you” challenge you to trust and obey more completely?)

Mary’s instruction to the servants teaches us the most important principle for Christian living: complete obedience to Jesus’ words. We don’t need to understand all of His commands before we follow them. We don’t need to see how everything will work out before we take the first step of obedience.

John 14:15: If you love me, keep my commands.

James 1:22: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Mary’s example at Cana shows us how to respond when Jesus’ timing seems wrong or His instructions seem unclear. Instead of hesitating or demanding explanations, we can follow His lead with confidence, knowing that His ways are always perfect even when they’re mysterious to us.

Stand Through Suffering

Perhaps the most difficult test of Mary’s faith came at the cross. From the beginning, she had been warned that following God’s will would involve deep pain. When Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus at the temple, the prophet Simeon gave her a sobering prophecy.

Luke 2:34-35: Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

For over thirty years, Mary carried this prophecy in her heart, knowing that great sorrow lay ahead. When that day finally came, she could have stayed away from the cross. She could have reasoned that watching her Son die was too painful to bear. Instead, she chose to stand with Him in His darkest hour.

John 19:25: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

The word “stood” is significant here. While many of Jesus’ disciples had fled in fear, Mary remained steadfast. She didn’t just watch from a distance—she positioned herself near enough to let Jesus know that she was with Him to the end.

Standing at the cross required incredible courage and faith. Mary had to watch the Son she had raised and loved suffer an agonizing death. She had to endure the mockery of the crowds and the apparent triumph of evil. Yet she remained faithful because she understood that God’s purposes are sometimes accomplished through suffering.

(Notebook Moment: Think of a time when remaining faithful to God required you to endure pain or loss. How does Mary’s example at the cross encourage you to stand firm when following Christ leads through difficult seasons?)

Mary’s faithfulness at the cross teaches us that true love doesn’t abandon its commitment when circumstances become difficult. Her example shows us what it means to follow Christ not just in times of blessing, but also in times of sorrow and loss.

Remain with God’s People

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Mary could have retreated from public ministry. She had played her crucial role in God’s plan of salvation. She had endured the pain of watching her Son die and experienced the joy of His resurrection. She could have lived quietly on her memories.

Instead, Mary continued to remain actively connected to God’s people. When the disciples gathered in Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit, Mary was there with them.

Acts 1:14: They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

This final glimpse of Mary in Scripture shows us her commitment to remaining with the community of believers. She understood that following God is not a solitary journey, but one that requires persistent fellowship with other believers. Even after all she had experienced, she remained humble enough to pray alongside the other disciples.

The phrase “constantly in prayer” tells us that Mary was committed to remaining in persistent, regular communion with God alongside His people. She had learned through decades of experience that prayer with other believers was essential for understanding and following God’s will.

Mary’s presence in the upper room also demonstrates her heart for remaining committed to the next generation of believers. She could have focused only on her own relationship with God, but instead she chose to remain connected and to encourage the growing church. Her life shows us that mature believers should remain engaged with God’s people and use their experience to strengthen others in the faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This final scene reveals Mary’s understanding that faithfulness to God includes remaining faithful to His people. In a world that often pressures believers to compromise or hide their faith, Mary’s example shows us the importance of continuing to identify openly with God’s community, regardless of the cost.

This final scene reveals the progression of Mary’s spiritual journey. She began as a young girl surrendering to God’s call. She grew into a thoughtful woman who waited on God’s timing. She developed into a faithful follower who trusted even without clarity. She proved herself a courageous believer who stood firm through suffering. And she matured into a committed member of God’s community who remained faithful to His people until the end.

Conclusion

Mary’s life gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to surrender completely to God’s will. From her teenage years until her final appearance in Scripture, she consistently demonstrates faithful submission to God’s calling on her life.

Throughout her entire story, Mary never sought attention or glory for herself. She pointed others to Jesus, trusted in His character, and remained faithful to God, even when the cost was great. Her example challenges every believer to examine our own response to God’s will.

It’s important to remember that Mary, remarkable as she was, remains a human being just like you and me. God specially chose her to be the vessel through which the Messiah would come into the world, but this doesn’t make her someone to be worshipped or prayed to. Mary plays no role in our redemption—only Jesus Christ can save us from our sins. The traditions that developed centuries later, elevating Mary to a position that belongs only to Christ, are not found in Scripture. Mary herself would point us away from her and toward her Son, just as she did at the wedding in Cana when she told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

When God calls us to difficult obedience, will we surrender as quickly as Mary did? When we face confusing circumstances, will we wait patiently on God’s timing? When Jesus gives us instructions we don’t understand, will we follow His lead anyway? When following Christ leads through pain, will we stand firm? And when pressures mount against our faith, will we remain connected to God’s people?

Mary shows us that a heart truly surrendered to God will always find the strength to follow wherever He leads. Most importantly, her example points us to Jesus, the perfect Son she was privileged to raise and the eternal Savior she was blessed to follow.

Luke 1:46-47: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

This is the heart cry of every believer who has learned to surrender completely to God’s will. When we follow Mary’s example of faithful submission, our lives too will bring glory to God and point others to the Savior who makes such surrender both possible and joyful.

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