Saturday, December 24, 2016

DID MARY KNOW?


Of late I have seen arguments that say, “Of course she did. The Angel of God told her.” (Most of these comments were of male origin. Ladies, what do you think?)

Well, I do not have actual experience with being pregnant, but I am a woman and I have paid very close attention to the process over the years; vicariously, through many friends and relatives who have been pregnant. So I am going to jump in here and say, “No, she didn't”.

So what did Mary know?

She knew she was a virgin.
How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

She also knew that she was betrothed to Joseph.
...a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.”

She did not know why Gabriel greeted her the way he did.
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

She was told to not be afraid because this was a message of blessing from God that he was bringing.
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

So what did he actually tell her?

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants
forever; his kingdom will never end.” and
The Holy Spirit will come on 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.



Mary, in turn, said “good-bye” with these words:
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.

Then the angel left her. 

MARY DID YOU KNOW - Mark Lowry 

[Verse 1]
Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

[Verse 2]
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

[Verse 3]
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM


She may be declared to have known, and maybe understood, the facts of verse three; but the truth is that she didn't know exactly what that entailed.

So the rest: probably not. She pondered the praises and blessings and certain other happenings, in her heart... but, no. she didn't know what would happen or when.

And the first thing she did not know was that they would have to flea from the murderous Herod to save the baby's life.

Nor did she know that He would grow up in a fairly normal way after that. Nor did she know when He would depart to His ministry. Nor did she know exactly what His ministry would be.

Remember that those expecting the Messiah, were expecting a warrior who would grab a sword and take over the whole world. And she was raising the gentlest, wisest child ever born.

No, she did not know or realize exactly what His life would really mean. But she stepped right up and said yes to God, and promised to keep this difficult calling which came from Him:


MARY'S SONG...

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Have you ever noticed that most of the truly beautiful praises recorded in God's Word come from a heart that remembers all the things that He has already accomplished? May we also have such a heart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS