Mary Did You Know?

SCRIPTURE:   Isaiah 7:14 “....Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel."  (Read Luke 1:26).If God needed someone of pure thoughts to do a special work for Him today, could He choose you?  Would you meet His qualifications?  Would He have chosen you when a teen-ager?   Can you imagine, as a teen-ager, an encounter with an angel? 

It had been over 400 years since God had spoken to anyone in Israel. Both land and hearts were cold – but, God always has a remnant who seek His face and worship.

There are threads of ‘Messiah’ throughout all the Old Testament and child-bearing was important to all Jewish women, each desiring to be mother to Messiah.  Young Mary probably had heard this and knew the stories, but as a young girl engaged to be married, being mother to Messiah was probably not uppermost in her mind.

Wow, can you imagine hearing those words recorded in Luke chapter one:“You are highly favored. The Lord is with you.” It must have been mind- boggling.  Gabriel went on to tell her the rest of the story… I am sure she was shocked – but her mind and heart were clear enough and her trust in Yahweh, God, strong enough to respond, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.”

Unlike Zechariah, in the earlier verses of Luke 1, when the angel appeared to him, he said, “How can this be? I and my wife are old.”  Mary responded with praise.  I don't think she stopped to count the cost of what her act of obedience would involve - ridicule, rejection, heartbreak.   She quickly responded to the special call God placed on her life and trusted Him to handle the details. Later at Cousins Elizabeth’s she was anointed to prophesy. Read Luke 1:46-55.

The following are lyrics by Mark Lowery that have moved many hearts:

            Mary did you know that your baby boy will one 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.

            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.

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

            Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
            Mary did you know that your baby boy will 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.                          

God calls each of us to a special purpose.  He wants us to trust His leading explicitly.  He created us and has our best interest in His heart.  Since we were born in sin, He provided a very special means - His Son - as sacrifice and penalty payment for sin.  Through Jesus we can enter the very presence of God and fellowship with Him.

I am sure during her time with Elizabeth and, as she carried this baby, she had many talks with her Heavenly Father as He prepared her for delivery and mother-hood.  Later, after the birth we read, "Mary pondered all these things in her heart." Luke 2:19. 

She had already stored Scripture in her heart and now was including all these new experiences.  She didn't understand it all, nor would she, but she centered her thoughts and questions toward God.  At the birth of this baby- the Living God was now in human skin.   Remember without the ‘birth of Jesus, there would be no death, no resurrection, and no hope of glory!

We need to do that today - refocus all our daily experiences in the light of God's wisdom and provision. Can you say with Mary, "Behold, the obedient servant of the Lord!"

SOOO… what is your response today when the Holy Spirit nudges you to give a word of encouragement, do an act of kindness, a request to teach a Sunday School class or help with Children’s church?

PRAYER:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for offering to pick up the pieces of my life. I give this mess to you. Through Your sacrifice I am made prefect, whole, complete - without blemish.  Through you I can come into the presence of Almighty God.  Amen