As we launch into Gospel #3, I am remembering a children’s Sunday school class story.  

The teacher asked the children to define faith. As they went around the room giving their various Jesus-y answers, one smug kid spoke up with his answer: “Faith is having the audacity to believe what you know is not true.”

In truth, nothing could be further from the truth. That is having faith in faith. Luke is writing so we will have faith in God. Here’s a better working definition of faith: Faith is having the audacity to risk everything on what you know to be the truth—the Word of God. This is why Luke is writing us this account. 

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (1:1–4 NIV)

Luke opens with the story of Zechariah, the priest, who while on duty encountered an angelic being who told him his aged wife would become pregnant. I want us to note Zechariah’s response to the angel: “Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years’” (1:18 ).

Faith does not ask, “How can I be sure of this?” Faith acts on the truth of the revelation. Zechariah found himself struck dumb (unable to speak) as a result of his lack of faith—until what was decreed did happen. 

Now, let’s look at Mary, who also encounters an angelic being who says to her: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus” (1:31 ). 

Notice how Mary responds:

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

She does not ask Zechariah’s question, “How can I be sure?” She accepts the fact and asks, rather, how it will happen since she does not intend on having intimate relations with a man until she is married. And the angel tells her how it will happen.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Despite this unprecedented declaration, Mary doubles down now with perhaps the most powerful consecration of faith in the whole Bible. 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” 

Faith is having the audacity to risk everything on what you know to be the truth—the Word of God.

And did you notice our watchword? Yep, Mary called the angel to “Behold”! I want Mary’s consecration of faith to become our consecration of faith henceforth on this gospelling journey. 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” 

PRAY

Lord Jesus, behold! I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. I will say it again: Behold! I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And now, for good measure, I will say it yet again: Behold! I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. It will be for your glory, for others’ gain, and for my good. And in your name, Jesus, amen. 

JOURNAL

Did your teacher ever ask you (or require you) to write a phrase in your tablet or on the chalkboard at school? (i.e. “I will not talk in class. I will not talk in class. I will not talk in class”). Well, let’s turn this exercise in a positive direction. I want you to write this consecrative word of faith  in your journal today: 

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” 

Let’s start with ten times. Some of you will fill the page. And some of you will make word art of it. Let’s see some photos of the outcomes on our Facebook Group Page linked here. 

SING

Today, we will sing “Here I Am, Lord” (hymn 589) from our Seedbed hymnal, Our Great Redeemer’s Praise.

For the Awakening,

J. D. Walt

P.S. (IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS) Announcing a Wake-Up Call Live Event Coming Soon: “How to Read the Bible Better”

Sowers, I led a breakout session at New Room on “How to Read the Bible Better” and I thought, Why don’t I teach that session to Sower Nation? On Monday, October 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. CST, I’ll be doing a Wake-Up Call Live event called How to Read the Bible Better—Gospels Edition. People often ask me, “How do you come up with the insight from Scripture you share on the Wake-Up Call?” Well, there’s no formula, but there is a bit of a method and craft I have learned along the way. I’ll be sharing that in this 90-minute gathering. It will be practical and possibly even inspiring. I hope you will consider joining. And if you just can’t afford the $20, we have a limited number of scholarships available—first come, first served.

John David (J. D.) Walt Jr. is the Sower-in-Chief for Seedbed and the pastor of the Gillett Methodist Church in Gillett, Arkansas. 

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