Mary Did You Kno

 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Paul wrote, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"  Romans 3:23).  I assume Mary was part of that "all", but she was also purified through God's grace- as is each person who accepts Jesus as Lord and Messiah.     

 This we also know, the Word is clear, God cannot tolerate sin or even have sin in His presence.  I sense there was no great pain to Father God than when He turned away from His Son, Jesus, as hung on the cross as our sin-bearer. 

A point to ponder:  Was Mary sinless in the nine months she carried the Messiah in her body?   I would think she had opportunity to say or hold some thoughts that might be construed as sin. And how did Joseph feel that night when Mary called him aside and said there is something I need to share with you: "I am with child, but no worry, the Holy Spirit is the Father.  Can you imagine the agony he must have gone through between her announcement to him and the Angel of the Lord's visitation telling him "not to worry, she is with child of the Holy Spirit"?

 With your permission I will do as I often do when teaching - take a side trip and give you some meat to chew on. Put yourself in Mary's shoes for a moment. How do you think she felt when a whole barn full of shepherds suddenly arrived in her palatial cave?  Keep in mind she had also had contacts with angels. Do you think she felt super blessed? Overwhelmed? or perhaps even a little fearful?    This we do know from the Holy Writ, "…she treasured these things and pondered them in her heart (Lk 2:19).

 Getting back to the question "Was she sinless during that nine-month period?  I have no question but that God gave Mary a special anointing when He said: "You are highly favored", I have a very special assignment for you, but does that mean she was sinless?  I will ask God when I get to heaven –May 2020. I don’t think this was on his mind!

 My bride has entered into the world of genealogical studies of her family and mine.  It has sparked an interest in my mind and heart to know more about one Grandpa that I never had the privilege of knowing.  It is said that he was a fiery Mennonite preacher who made the rafters shake when he preached.  I would have liked to have heard him.  But my real interest in knowing more about him is that he came from the Dutch-land of Germany where the Amish/Mennonite originated, was he Amish/Mennonite?    

 If God reached down and said to me this morning, Kermit, I am going to give you a very special gift.  I will open the door for you to interview any person who ever lived on this earth, my choice would be very easy.  No, I would not waste such a gift on my grandfather's background, but rather I would ask to interview Mary, the mother of our Lord.  Now some would say, why would you not choose to interview Jesus, her Son who takes away the sins of the world?  My answer, "we talk on a regular basis!"

 I would say to her with Mark Lowery........

        "Mary did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?   Mary did you know that your baby boy would 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 would give sight to a blind man?  Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?  Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?  And when your 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 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?" 

 My dear friends, who honor me by reading, what I pray God is saying through me in gramps morning thoughts: "Do you know that Jesus is the Lord of all creation?" And one day He will rule all the nations"?   Perhaps we will celebrate Jesus’ next birthday in the New Jerusalem.  Come Lord Jesus! 

 Soooo, I ask you this morning "Do You Know Him personally?

 Blessings,

 Gramps