Episode 916
The Radical Yes: Mary's Divine Disruption
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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A profound exploration of the Annunciation narrative as presented in the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26-38, reveals a myriad of theological implications that resonate with contemporary issues of agency and empowerment. The speaker elucidates the significance of Mary's radical acceptance of the divine invitation, positioning her not merely as a passive vessel but as an active participant in the unfolding narrative of salvation. The discourse highlights how God’s choice to reveal such pivotal news to a young, marginalized woman in Nazareth serves as a potent reminder that divine purposes often manifest in the most unexpected places and through those whom society overlooks. This radical choice challenges listeners to reconsider notions of power and authority, urging us to seek the divine in the margins rather than in the corridors of power.
Furthermore, the episode delves into the theme of bodily autonomy as exemplified by Mary's interaction with the angel Gabriel. Her questioning and subsequent consent underscore the importance of dialogue and agency, particularly within a patriarchal context where women's voices have historically been silenced. This aspect of the narrative invites reflection on the nature of consent and the dynamics of power in our own lives and communities, suggesting that true engagement with the divine requires an openness to inquiry and a willingness to assert one’s own agency. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace the radical nature of Mary's 'yes' as a model for their own lives, emphasizing the transformative power of consent and active participation in divine purposes.
Finally, the discussion extends to the political ramifications of the Incarnation, framing Mary's acceptance as a subversive act against the prevailing authorities of her time. By acknowledging the angel’s proclamation of Jesus as a ruler whose kingdom will never end, the speaker highlights the inherent challenge this poses to the Roman Empire's claims of sovereignty. The episode culminates in a call to action, urging listeners to identify and confront systems of injustice within their communities, thus embodying the spirit of holy disruption that Mary exemplifies. By reflecting on these themes, we are invited to participate in God’s work of liberation and justice in our own contexts, fostering a commitment to challenge the status quo and advocate for those who are marginalized.
Takeaways:
- The Annunciation signifies a pivotal moment where divine intervention intersects with human agency, emphasizing the radical nature of Mary's acceptance.
- God's message often emerges from unexpected locales, as exemplified by the humble origins of Nazareth and the choice of Mary.
- Mary's consent and inquiry illustrate the importance of agency and dialogue within the framework of faith and divine purpose.
- The political implications of Jesus' birth challenge existing power structures, emphasizing the subversive nature of divine proclamation.
- The invitation to engage in holy disruption encourages active participation in addressing societal inequalities and injustices.
- Through prayer, we seek to embody the spirit of liberation exemplified by Mary, recognizing the power of small acts of courage.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Voice of God Daily
- Daily Bible Refresh
- ABC123 Bible Study Guide
Transcript
Divine Disruption Mary's radical Yes, a study of Luke 1:26 through 38 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello my good friends, Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is our daily visit together study the Bible the New Testament specifically reread from the message version of the selected verse for this very day from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C, the Pentecost season.
Speaker A:We make the reading with the reading is from the message version to make it understandable we make it relatable by giving you some points to ponder and applicable I give you an action step to follow.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all that in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:We do this from our website voiceofgoddaily.com and from all the podcast directories where we give you the also the free resource the ABC123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:Let's get into our lesson for today.
Speaker A:Luke 1:26 38 A virgin conceives in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David.
Speaker A:His name was Joseph and the virgin's name Mary.
Speaker A:Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her, good morning.
Speaker A:You're beautiful with God's beauty.
Speaker A:Beautiful inside and out.
Speaker A:God be with you.
Speaker A:She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that.
Speaker A:But the angel assured her, mary, you have nothing to fear.
Speaker A:God has a surprise for you.
Speaker A:You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
Speaker A:He will be great, be called Son of the Highest.
Speaker A:The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
Speaker A:He will rule Jacob's house forever, no end ever to his kingdom.
Speaker A:Mary said to the angel, but how?
Speaker A:I've never slept with a man.
Speaker A:And the angel answered, the Holy Spirit will come upon you.
Speaker A:The power of the highest hover over you.
Speaker A:Therefore the child you bring to birth will be called Holy Son of God.
Speaker A:And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son?
Speaker A:Old as she is, everyone called her barren.
Speaker A:And here she is six months pregnant.
Speaker A:Nothing you see is impossible with God.
Speaker A:And Mary said, yes, I see it all now.
Speaker A:I am the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
Speaker A:Let it be with me, just as you say.
Speaker A:Then the angel left her.
Speaker A:Hmm.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:What Just a powerful passage of scripture a about Mary's divine radical.
Speaker A:Yes, this is a story we call the Annunciation.
Speaker A:The moment when a young woman named Mary received news that would not only change her life, but really challenges the very structures of everything that's ever been and ever will be, the power in her world and in ours.
Speaker A:Here are some points to ponder.
Speaker A:First, one is about God's radical choice.
Speaker A:Notice where God chooses to begin the story of liberation not in a palace or a temple, but in Nazareth, a small village with a young woman of no social status.
Speaker A:This reminds us that divine work often begins in unexpected places and through marginalized people.
Speaker A:Mary's story challenges us to look for God's presence not in centers of power, but in the margins of society.
Speaker A:A second point is about sacred bodily autonomy.
Speaker A:Mary's response to Gabriel is remarkable not just for her acceptance, but for her agency.
Speaker A:That is, she asks questions, she seeks understanding, and ultimately gives her consent.
Speaker A:In a patriarchal society where women had little voice, this exchange models mutual dialogue between humanity and divine presence.
Speaker A:Mary's yes is meaningful precisely because she had the freedom to say no.
Speaker A:The third point is about the politics of incarnation.
Speaker A:The angel's proclamation about Jesus ruling forever and having an endless kingdom wasn't just spiritual talk.
Speaker A:It was a politically subversive statement to make.
Speaker A:To claim another king in Caesar's empire was dangerous.
Speaker A:Mary's acceptance of this role meant she was aligning herself with a movement that would challenge both religious and political authorities.
Speaker A:Her Magnificat, which comes shortly after this passage, makes this revolutionary aspect even clearer.
Speaker A:Let's talk about action, practice holy disruption.
Speaker A:That is, identify one way your community perpetuates inequality or marginalization and take some concrete step to challenge that system.
Speaker A:It might be speaking up in a meeting or adjusting your spending habits to support marginalized communities, or advocating for change in a legal policies.
Speaker A:Like Mary, let your yes to Divine purpose challenge the status quo.
Speaker A:We'll pray in just a moment.
Speaker A:I always want to let you know that we have a resource for you to help you with your personal Bible study.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's just a short, two or three page document that will help you in a very line by line, point by point way to study your Bible in a very precise manner.
Speaker A:You can do it.
Speaker A:Head over to voiceofgoddaily.com and pick up that free resource.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Loving God we stand amazed at Mary's courage and openness to your disruptive presence.
Speaker A:Help us recognize the ways you're still showing up in unexpected places and through unexpected people.
Speaker A:Give us the wisdom to ask questions, the courage to say yes to your justice work, and the strength to stand against systems of oppression when we feel small or powerless.
Speaker A:Remind us that you have always worked through those the world overlooks, like Mary.
Speaker A:May we be ready to serve your purposes of liberation and love in the spirit of the One who came to turn the world upside down.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, good people, it's always good to be with you.
Speaker A:Here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:It's my joy and privilege.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:And I sincerely invite you to participate with me in that process.
Speaker A:You do so really simply.
Speaker A:You go to the website Voice of God Daily and make sure you subscribe on Apple or on Spotify or some of the other ways to our podcast and give us rating and review.
Speaker A:That helps as well.
Speaker A:And invite a friend to join us.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:Until tomorrow, friends.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
