March 14: Of obedience. Period. Part 2.

Numbers 21:1-20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11

Last week we reflected on how the Israelites were obedient to the letter of God's instructions. When He said march, they marched. When He said camp, they camped. When it was unclear what HIs intentions were - as was the case for those ceremonially unclean at the time of the Passover - they inquired of His will, and waited upon His answer. Their obedience, while challenged, was shaped and formed by their experience of His provision. During the time in question they'd experienced God on many occasions - in times of need, such as when they were thirsty and had no water; and in times of disobedience, as when the Lord punished them with disease, and caused the earth to swallow up the sinners. They saw obedience had its benefits, and disobedience its consequences.

Which is why the story of Mary is so astoundingly remarkable for how different it was. You see, at this time, the personal experience of God and His presence had become so rare - our pastor, Scott, once explained to me that Zechariah's vision in the temple was shocking for its rarity and for how long it had been since it had happened. So Mary's response to her call wasn't shaped by the repeated, explicit experience of God's provision, as was the Israelites'.

Neither, it would seem, could it have been shaped by the fear of disobedience. Consider: whereas during Moses's time, disobedience meant death, in this instance Mary was contemplating pregnancy without the benefit of marriage - and on God's orders! This meant that obedience could mean any number of terrible things - being cast out, being stoned to death among them.

And yet she obeyed. Yes, she questioned - but I don't think it was along the lines of "are you kidding me? Do you realize what could happen to me?" Rather, her question seemed more of "wow! Ok...but how? I can't get pregnant on my own." Her question wasn't in the nature of reasoned opposition, it was more a request for instructions so she could get it done.

And she was obedient, not to enjoy the fruits of obedience or avoid adverse consequences associated with disobedience - she was obedient. Period.

I still struggle with obedience. I am more often like the Israelites - obedient in pursuit of goodness, obedient for fear of the consequences of disobedience. May I learn to be like Mary - obedient. Period.