Let It Be Done to Me According to Your Will

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

Let us imagine that Mary, at twelve years old, was living in the temple area. Perhaps she would occasionally journey home to visit her parents. After one such visit, it was time for her to head back to Jerusalem with her traveling companions. As she approached the Holy City, the Temple Mount appeared on the horizon like a gleaming mountain of snow, its white stones standing out against the dusky brown color of the hillsides.

Mary entered the gates of Jerusalem. After climbing a staircase from the city streets, she emerged onto the wide plaza that surrounded the temple. A military tower loomed to one side — the Antonia fortress that Herod had named after his former colleague, Mark Antony. A long colonnade called the Porch of Solomon ran along one side of the plaza. Adjoining it at the corner was the Royal Stoa, a three-aisled hall formed by four rows of massive columns.

Mary mingled with Gentiles who were allowed to be in the outer plaza. But then she passed a low wall beyond which Gentiles couldn’t go. Now Mary proceeded through an imposing gate and entered the Court of the Women, the closest she could get to the Most Holy Place.

Taking leave of her companions for a time of spiritual reflection, Mary walked across the courtyard and ascended a staircase. From there she peered through the Nicanor Gate into the Court of Israel where purified Jewish men could enter but she could not. Beyond that was the Court of the Priests. Mary could see the enormous altar where the priests were sacrificing animals as burnt offerings to God. Beside it was an immense bronze basin to provide water for ritual washings. And behind all of this was the brilliant facade of the temple, completely covered by golden plates.

Though Mary had never entered the temple building itself, she knew well what was inside. The Holy Place, also called the Sanctuary, contained a lampstand and table for the Bread of Presence, as well as a small altar for burning incense. A heavy veil of multicolored fabric hung at the rear of the room, screening the Most Holy Place where only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. The ark of the covenant had once been situated in there, but now the space was empty and the ark’s foundation stone was unoccupied. Yet Mary wasn’t disturbed by the absence of any objects in the inner sanctum. She knew what all Jews understood: that Yahweh wasn’t represented by idols like the false gods of the Gentiles. He was the Lord of Heaven and earth, so no man-made image could capture or contain Him.

As Mary contemplated the sacrifices that gave access to God’s presence, a sadness came to her heart. She had recently been told by the priests that because she was now twelve years old, the imminent onset of her menstrual flow would make her ritually unclean. It was time for her to leave the temple precincts and eventually be united to a husband. The thought saddened her, for the glorious temple of God was the only home she could remember.

Yet as Mary considered the impurity that her emerging womanhood would bring, as well as the religious restrictions that barred women from full entry to the temple, an even deeper sadness descended. Will this ever change? she wondered. Will there ever come a time when I can be one with God, and He with me?

Though Mary didn’t know it then, the Baby she would one day bear would bring these changes to the human race. As an adult Man, He would promise His disciples,

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive... but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. — John 14:17, emphasis added

Not long after Jesus spoke those words, Mary saw her Son’s glorious promise come to pass. She was in the upper room when the Holy Spirit made the human heart — not the golden constructions of men like Herod — His new temple of spiritual residence. The book of Acts describes how the eleven faithful disciples gathered for worship after Jesus ascended to Heaven.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. — Acts 1:14

What happened next?

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. — Acts 2:1–4

From that moment on, everything would be different. No longer would God have to be accessed through repeated sacrifices in front of a restricted temple. No longer would a veil obscure the dwelling place of God. No longer would Mount Moriah alone be the lighthouse of the world. After the descent of the Spirit, each believer in Jesus — whether a woman or a man — would serve as a temple of God’s presence. The once-for-all sacrifice had been made.

Although Mary’s twelve-year-old mind couldn’t have comprehended such ideas, all of these wonders lay ahead in her future. Her only job was to be faithful and say,

“Yes, Lord. Let it be done to me according to Your will.”

Father in Heaven, thank you for bringing our Messiah to earth through humble, lowly Mary. Strengthen me to walk as she did, in gratitude and faithfulness. Amen.

Adapted with permission from Herod and Mary by Kathie Lee Gifford and Bryan M. Litfin, PHD.

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Your Turn

Let’s pray like Mary today. Yes, Lord. Let it be done to me according to Your will! Imagine what God will do with our lives when we live fully submitted to Him! ~ Devotionals Daily