Dear saints, as you near Sioux Falls on 115, there is a sign on the west side of the road you may have noticed. It reads something like, “Pray for us immaculate heart of Mary.” It is sponsored by a Roman Catholic organization, but I do not recall which one. It is a pious request, but it is, at best, misguided. First, the heart of St. Mary was not immaculate. It was stained by sin, just like yours and mine. And second, she is not a mediator for us. She is the mother of our Mediator. Consider what the Augsburg Confession says:
Concerning the cult of the saints our people teach that the saints are to be remembered so that we may strengthen our faith when we see how they experienced grace and how they were helped by faith. Moreover, it is taught that each person, according to his or her calling, should take the saints’ good works as an example … However, it cannot be demonstrated from Scripture that a person should call upon the saints or seek help from them. “For there is only one single reconciler and mediator set up between God and humanity, Jesus Christ.” He is the only savior, the only high priest, the mercy seat, and intercessor before God. He alone has promised to hear our prayers. According to Scripture, in all our needs and concerns it is the highest worship to seek and call upon this same Jesus Christ with our whole heart. (AC XXI)
It is one thing for a governor or president to consider the good example of King David as they rule. It is another for them to ask him to intercede or help them. Similarly, it is good for a pastor to consider the words and recorded actions of Sts. Paul or Peter, yet it would not be good for them to ask them to reveal anything through direct mediation and extra-biblical sources.
With this in mind, we consider this morning St. Mary, the mother of our Lord. She is a young virgin, engaged to a righteous man named Joseph. She is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she shall bear the long-awaited Messiah. And she responds in faith: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” She then travels to her relative Elizabeth’s house, whose account we heard a few moments ago.
The bulk of the lesson is Mary’s response not only to her interaction with Elizabeth but going back also to the visit from Gabriel. It comes after what may be the most important words we heard this morning, from the mouth of St. Elizabeth: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
This, dear saints, is why we remember Mary today. Not because of a supposed immaculate conception. Not because she is a co-mediator or co-redemptrix. Rather, because she believed in the promises of God and the words of Gabriel. She does not regard herself as anything special on her own account. Instead, she considers herself as a slave to the Lord. She realizes her humble estate. But she recognizes that God has looked upon her with favor and done mighty and great things for her. She recognizes that the child she carries is the promised seed we hear of in Genesis 3.
Mary, like you and me, were born under the Law. We found ourselves by nature condemned under that Law. And we needed a Savior from that Law. And in the fullness of time, that Savior is sent. God sends forth His Son, born of a woman. And that Son redeems those who under that Law. Mary. You. Me.
In Holy Baptism, He claims you as His own and adopts you as His own son. He has sent His Holy Spirit into your heart. You may now call Him your Heavenly Father. Therefore, rather than a slave to sin, you are a son. You are an heir to the Kingdom through the work of God. Because of the work of Christ, you may sing along with Mary. You may claim that He has done great things for you.
In his commentary on Luke, Dr. Arthur Just writes, “The proper honor and praise of Mary has as its cornerstone the church’s imitation of the faith of Mary.” In Mary, we see a humble servant of God. When an angel brings news that turns her world upside down, she does not despair or doubt. Instead, she accepts God’s will in wonder, for she knows it is only the power and work of God that can accomplish Gabriel’s words. She rejoices and worships God for what He has done for her.
And today, we rejoice not only with Mary but with Cody. For Cody, like you and me and Mary, is also a humble servant of God. He is also redeemed by the Blood of Christ. And this morning, in the presence of God and His Church, he confesses the True Faith as his own. We rejoice in the work of the Holy Spirit in him. And we pray that he will share with us and Mary in the glory of our Father’s eternal kingdom.
Cody, may you continue to grow in faith. May you imitate the faith of Mary, confessing that you, a humble servant, have been shown mercy and redeemed. That you are a son and heir of God. And that He, through His Word and Sacrament, will sustain you in all things needed for life and salvation. Amen.
Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD
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