Mary's Song: "Let It Be"

(This blog entry is taken from a message I originally put together in 1995. I have preached it on several occasions during the Christmas season in years past—and probably will again in the future! Since it is really a sermon, it is designed to be delivered orally rather than on paper—and it is probably more effective that way—but I hope you will get the meaning out of it in this form. Thanks, FOP)

When I was eight years old, my two older sisters brought home an album one day. Now, an album is kind of like a CD, only bigger and black. On the album cover were four young men with what seemed to be long hair at the time—some call them “mop tops”—and the name of the album was “Meet the Beatles.” They were somewhat controversial in some circles, and I can understand why. My, what provocative lyrics their songs had on that album: “She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah,” and “I want to hold your hand.” Such radical stuff!

Over the years, the Beatles did get involved in real controversies and strange beliefs, and they were certainly one of the most popular musical groups of modern times, but I don’t think any of us would confuse them with Christian theologians or look to them for insights into our development as Christians. So I find it ironic that the last song the Beatles ever recorded, which was the second to the last song ever released, seemed to me to have Christian overtones. I really liked the music—the simple melody—but I was puzzled by the lyrics.

When a find myself in times of trouble,
Mother Mary comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom, “Let it be.”

It went on:

“Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be”
Whisper words of wisdom, “Let it be.”

“Let it be?” What did that mean? Leave it alone?

And what did Mother Mary have to do with it?

Since the song came out in 1970, I have always liked it, but I never really understood what it was trying to say.

So let’s fast forward to the mid-1990’s. I was preparing for Christmas, and I was reading from the first chapter of the gospel of Luke out of the New International Version:

²⁶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

For some reason, three words in that last verse stood out to me. “May it be…” Could it be… that this “may it be”… was the inspiration for “Let It Be”?

I quickly pulled out my King James Version to check out my theory. However, I was disappointed. This verse in the King James Version reads, “be it unto me according to Thy word.” I thought about looking in the New American Standard Version, but I thought, “No, the Beatles were from England.” What Bible would they use? The Revised Standard Version? I had a copy on my computer Bible: Sure enough, there it was: The RSV has Mary answering, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

I doubt that the Beatles understood the impact of her words, and it’s more likely akin to Caiaphas when he prophesied quite by accident that it was good for Jesus to die for the nation, but the Beatles were right. This Christmas season, Mother Mary does have words of wisdom for us, and these words of wisdom are, “Let it be.”

Just what, though, do the words mean? Let’s pray about it, and then we’ll talk about it.

Lord, some churches go well beyond your word when it comes to Mary. They pray to her, they teach she was always sinless, even that she remained a virgin after her marriage, though your Word tells us clearly that she had children with Joseph later. Lord, while we see they are wrong in their understanding, forgive us for often so overreacting that we have failed to appreciate and honor and bless this special lady that you chose as the mother of your Son. May we learn from her today some keen insights about following Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Four words I want to give you to help us think about Mary and her words.

1. Surprise

Mary “wondered” about the greeting from the angel; she was certainly surprised.

When God comes to us, we like Mary, should have a sense of surprise.
Not surprise that God would have a message for us…we should expect that!
We should instead be surprised at the generous and gracious way God comes to us!

The angel called her“highly favored”— but Mary knew she was not perfect. Was Gabriel joking with her? Putting her on?

I am reminded of King David’s words in Psalm 139 (NIV):

¹ O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. ⁵ You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

David’s reaction to God knowing all about him? Was he afraid, knowing that his sins would be known? No, his reaction was more like, “WOW! I am amazed that God cares so much about me!”

It is surprising to sense how much God loves us!
It is surprising that God puts so much faith in us!
It is surprising that God is willing to entrust to us His will, especially regarding His Son!
(As Mary was entrusted with His upbringing, we are entrusted with sharing His message)

What put Mary in this position?

It was not because she was perfect, but because she sought to be pure.

I want you to understand one thing: Mary was not pure because she was a virgin. She was a virgin because she was pure! And purity begins in the heart. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

God has a message for you. Without purity, you may miss it. Need purity? Pray like David did after his sin of adultery: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” and He will restore you. Are you seeking to honor God? Do so, and you will be surprised at the great plans He has for you!

2. Serious

Mary took God’s message to heart. She was serious. In those days, many people claimed to believe in God. They went to the synagogue week after week, they traveled to Jerusalem for the feasts, they went to the temple for sacrifices…but they were really just going through the motions, performing religious rituals that were strangely separated from the rest of the lives. It had little or no impact on how they conducted business or managed their families.

Yes, they would hear God speak—but they would wink and nod and do what was right in their own eyes. Many are like that today.

When Mary heard God speak, she was serious.

Look at Luke 1.34 “How will this be?” This was not a question of doubt but of process. “How? I am engaged? Will it be Joseph’s son after we are married?”

“No, no…it will be God’s Holy Son.”

Mary was serious about God and His word. How about you? Does your belief in God really mean anything in the way you live?

If so, we can learn the most important lesson of all from Mary as we look at the third word. That word is…

3. Submitted

This is the heart of the message, in my mind.

She wondered, “HOW (since I am a virgin)?” He told her how it would be.

Think with me: What did Mary know?

Mary knew…

1) she was engaged
2) the facts of life
3) the possibility of scandal
4) her marriage might be off
5) this would change everything

She could have shaken her fist at God… “Why are you doing this to me?”

Instead, she came to God with an open hand and a trusting heart: “Let it be to me…”

How beautiful her attitude…how simple her trust…how grand her example!

This Christmas, when God says to you,

• “Don’t follow the ways of the world…be changed by thinking my thoughts…”
• “Keep yourself pure for the one you will marry. From today forward, reject any kind of sex outside marriage…”
• “Don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit…

Don’t say, “But they will laugh at me. They will reject me. I will be embarrassed and alone…”

Instead, SAY: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

This Christmas, when God says to you,

• “Love your neighbors, AND love your enemies, too...”
• “Help those who are in need...”

Don’t say: “BUT people will take advantage of me…”

Instead, SAY: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

This Christmas, when God says to you,

• “Use your gifts within the body of Christ to minister to others...”
• “Spread the message to others; tell them about me and what I have done for you...”

Don’t say, “I don’t have time right now; I’m too busy with work or school or activities…”

Instead, SAY: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

This Christmas, when God says to you,

• “Don’t mistake possessions for prosperity; be generous…”
• “It is better to give that to receive...”
• “Help support others who take the message to other places...”

Don’t say: “BUT recognition comes to the rich and powerful, and I need to hang on to what I have for security…”

Instead, SAY: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

Finally, let me give you the word

4. Song

As we read on in Luke 1, beginning in verse 46...

⁴⁶ And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. ⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. ⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. ⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful ⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

Note her excitement about being in the plan of God! “The Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.”

How could Mary do this?

She really believed what we say we believe: God’s plan is best!

Remember, best is never the easiest.

God’s way is best for you…for others…and for the kingdom

Well, the Christmas season is here. Our challenge: to find Christ in Christmas.

Yes, it is true: Mother Mary has wisdom for us. As she said to the messenger of God, let us say to God this season when He speaks to us, “Let it be to me according your word.”

© 1995, 2006 Fred O. Pitts