The Purity That Changed the World

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

I have heard (and I assume it is true) that the Jewish people were very aware of this prophecy. I have also heard that this prophecy would have held special interest for young girls, as they anticipated the possibility that they might be the one. I don't know how common that fantasizing or imagining actually was, but there must have been some girls and some parents who wondered if their family could be involved in the fulfillment of this prophecy.

The prophecy was ultimately fulfilled through a young Nazarene lady named Mary. There was obviously a miraculous aspect to the conception of Christ, but there was also a requirement on the part of Mary. She had to be a virgin.

I did a small amount of research on recent statistics in the U.S. In 1991, 45.9% of high school students (grades 9-12) were still virgins. By 2013, that number had risen to 53.2%, still barely half. A study done in 2014 found that only 17% of women age twenty-two were virgins, and in 2017 it was reported that the average age when females lost that status was 17.2 years old. An undated report gave the following breakdown for loss of virginity in females: 26% by age fifteen, 40% by age sixteen, 49% by age seventeen, and 70% by age eighteen. While the various studies differed somewhat in their guidelines and even in their results, the consensus is that approximately half of girls are no longer virgins when they graduate from high school.

There is no way of knowing how common it was for young ladies in Mary's culture and historic setting to meet such a requirement. Perhaps a general idea could be gained through ancient histories. We would like to think that people were more moral back then, particularly within the Jewish system. People have always been sinners, however, and the sad reality is that ever since the Fall, young men and ladies have fallen short of that standard in great numbers.

Mary was almost certainly in the age range discussed above. She did not give in to pressure, even though she was engaged. She did not become part of the immorality around her and did not succumb to her fleshly desires. Mary made that decision and commitment because it was right; she didn't know she would be chosen to bear the Messiah. She was just a young lady trying to do right before God.

While she met the criteria of being a virgin, that was not the only reason she was chosen. Mary was a "favored one" in the eyes of God (Luke 1:28). She was humbly willing to do God's bidding. She responded, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). These were not words to be spoken lightly. Her resulting pregnancy could have had significant consequences in regard to the rest of her life. She certainly did not know how Joseph would respond. She fully yielded, however, to what God asked of her.

Like He did with Mary, God calls all Christians to holiness and submission; believers would do well to follow her example in both areas. God instructs, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (I Peter 1:16). This concept permeates the Scriptures, as God asks His children to be set apart, purified, and pursuing godliness. The Bible gives specific requirements for certain people, such as pastors and church leaders. There is no doubt that God forgives sins, even sins that are considered particularly offensive; God is merciful. There are times, however, when certain opportunities for service could be forfeited, just as Mary would not have been able to carry the Messiah if she had not been a virgin.

When opportunities for service do come to those who are qualified to fill them, they must like Mary have a humble and submissive response. It is not up to individuals to determine precisely how God will use them. His plan might be far different from their preferences, and it may not even line up with what they think their talents are. What God asks may bring risks, and it might mean hardship, opposition, fear, and misunderstanding. The only appropriate response is "Yes, Lord."

While Mary provides a good example of being both qualified and willing for service, I want to focus also on God's role. When God promises something, He is able to do it. It doesn't matter how unusual or socially aberrant the conditions are. God makes sure there is a way to carry out His plans. If He says there will be a godly virgin available at the right time, there will be. If He says a chosen godly virgin will supernaturally bear a child, it will come to pass just as He has said.

Culture can't stop the plans of God. Individuals can't stop the plans of God. Governments can't stop the plans of God. Nothing can stop what God has determined. "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). On the other side of that same coin, it was absolutely imperative that Mary remain a virgin. Her purity became part of God's plan that changed the entire history of the world. It mattered immensely that she did what was right.

Christians today are also called to holiness, but holiness is possible only because the Holy One came to make the way for sinners to become His holy and redeemed children. When God sent the Savior, He changed everything!