Mary... Mother of Jesus...

Matthew 1:18-19
New International Version(NIV)

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
 

• That Mary was a perfect person.
• That Mary in on equal terms with Jesus
• That Mary knew and understood what Jesus was to do before He was born.
• That Mary was a virgin her whole life.

Mary was far from perfect, for she doubted Jesus and thought he was out of His mind. She and his siblings went out to seize Jesus because they thought that Jesus was crazy.

Mark 3:20-21 - NIV

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

Jesus acknowledged her disbelief in Mark 3:31-35 and refused to see her. With the actions Mary committed she showed she was far from perfect and that she indeed was not on equal terms with Jesus.

In Luke 1:34, Mary asks the question, "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

This shows that Mary had no idea, no clue as to what Jesus would do or who He was. She was afraid!

Matthew 1:24-25

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Mary had fulfilled her duty as a wife and honored God by being with Joseph, her husband. Marriage is sanctified and Holy and Mary knew this. If she stayed a virgin, it would of been sinful because she would of withheld herself from her Husband. God blessed her with children for her loyalty. Matthew 12:46 Mark 3:31 John 2:12 all talk about Mary's sons.

Mary was a scared young girl, who had a great responsibility placed on her. She was to give birth to the savior of all mankind. Not only that she was pregnant, while being engaged to Joseph. That pregnancy meant under current law, she could be put to death! How could Mary convince everyone that she was still a virgin and faithful to Joseph if she was pregnant.

Mary stood fast and God honored her by giving her a loving husband who did not have her put to death when he could of. God blessed her with other children. Mostly she is to be forever known as the virgin who gave birth to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus!

What difficult task has God asked you to do? Stand fast and realize that as difficult as it might seem, that God will see you through. As He saw Mary through.

Neo... December 28, 2012