At the beginning of the new year, many of us resolve to use the word no to avoid unwanted commitments, overextending ourselves, or just protecting ourselves from uncomfortable, inconvenient situations. There is real wisdom in that decision.
The word yes can be just as powerful. Yes has built marriages and families, founded communities and nations, and stood up to evil and injustice. But a positive response does not always have beneficial results. In one instance, the power of an ancient yes has echoed down through the ages with devastating, even catastrophic consequences.
Yes has built marriages and families, founded communities and nations, and stood up to evil and injustice.
It began with a young, newlywed woman having a conversation with a talking serpent. Eve — the name her husband gave her — was told that she could eat of every tree except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. When the snake offered her a chance to say yes — even though God had already said no — Eve agreed with the serpent. Her yes impacted herself and every person who lived from that moment on.
When a talking serpent offered her a chance to say yes — even though God had already said no — Eve said yes.
Another woman waited years for God’s yes to her request for a child, a son. Annually, a childless Hannah would go with her husband, Elkanah, his other wife, Peninnah, and their children to Shiloh to make sacrifices to the Lord. Every year, Hannah would plead with tears flowing for the Lord to give her a child, and every year the answer was either silence or no. Despite Hannah’s obvious heartbreak and distress, Peninnah tormented her constantly, reminding Hannah that she was barren.
The Bible doesn’t tell us how long this continued. On one trip to Shiloh, when Hannah was in utter despair, instead of asking God to give her something, she offered something to God. She would give back to Him the thing she wanted most, her son. I believe this is what the Lord was waiting for, Hannah’s yes to His plan. Her son would be Samuel, a great prophet and leader in Israel. Hannah dedicated her precious son to the Lord and took little Samuel to the Tabernacle to serve God. Then, God, who is no one’s debtor, gave Hannah three sons and two daughters.
More than 4,000 years later, another young woman, a virgin engaged to be married, was offered an opportunity to say yes. This time, instead of a serpent, an angel from God appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. The child would be called the Son of the Most High and would reign over Israel forever.
Mary could see this would not be an easy or uncomplicated situation. In fact, it could be life-threatening for her and the baby. Unlike Eve, she did not intend to do anything outside of God’s law to make this happen. Mary replied, “I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34, New Living Translation).
When the angel tells Mary, “You will conceive,” it does not sound like Mary is being given a choice. (Luke 1:31, 32 NLT, emphasis is mine). Yet, she still gives her wholehearted agreement, her unreserved yes to God’s plan. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38 NLT). Mary’s yes is the second tipping point in all human history. Her baby boy will change the fate of people for all eternity.
The Yes That Changed the World
Mary’s baby boy, Jesus, was responsible for the most significant yes ever uttered in the world. Before creation, the Son of God said yes to the Father’s plan of salvation — that He would take on human life so He could die for the sins of all people. At the end of His earthly ministry, as He faced arrest, torture and crucifixion, Jesus did what He always did: He went to His Father for strength and courage for the crisis ahead. After the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus prayed to God even as Judas was about to betray Him.
Before creation, the Son of God said yes to the Father’s plan of salvation — that He would take on human life so He could die for the sins of all people.
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine” (Luke 22:42).
Without that yes, there would be no Easter and no redemption from sin. There would be no covering of sins — yours or mine.
In my life, I surely have said yes to the wrong things, trusting in my own understanding or pushing ahead when God had already said no. Many times, the Lord has mercifully shielded me from the rightfully deserved consequences of my actions. And when He didn’t, He gave me the grace to deal with it.
As I reflect, is there a yes God wants from me? Maybe it’s yes, I will stop doing or saying something displeasing to Him. Or yes, I will start doing something that will help me grow closer to Jesus. Maybe God wants me to open my hand and trust Him with someone or something I’ve been holding too tightly.
I think the Lord will be pleased when I learn, like Mary, to respond immediately with “Yes, Lord” instead of trying to have things my way. He is the Lord and Master, I am the servant.
I think the Lord will be pleased when I learn, like Mary, to respond immediately with “Yes, Lord” instead of trying to have things my way.
As we continue in the Easter spirit of new life, I pray that our yeses will be those that have a powerful, eternal impact for Christ and the glory of God.
What yes is the Lord seeking from you?
