WE PRESENT TO YOU OUR THIRTY SIXTH
WOMAN OF COURAGE
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anne. She was of the Tribe of Judah and the lineage of David. While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah.
"28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
Luke 1:28-35
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38
This was a most important day in the life of Mary. As she heard Gabriel's message from the Lord, her response was obedience. (Luke 1:38). From this moment on, her life drastically changed from from every day normalcy, that of a maiden living with her parents and betrothed to a man named Joseph, to uncertainty.
One wonders what really transpired in the day-to-day life after Gabriel's wonderful news. Imagine! He told her that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God! What greater news could she have received! In her innocence I picture her running to her mother and father with the joyful news, only to possibly be met with unbelief, anger, and distrust. Can you imagine poor Mary's reaction? Can you see her joy plummet to despair? Can you see her confusion, her pain?
Not only in those days, but even now in the middle east, the punishment for unfaithfulness or premarital sex is stoning unto death.
Who told Joseph of these events? Scripture leads us to believe that he also reacted unfavorably. It seemed as though everybody was against Mary. Can you imagine her grief, her fear? Can you imagine how alone she felt?
Joseph being a kind man, chose to quietly put her away. Although this would be a wonderful reprieve from the penalty of stoning unto death, think of how betrayed she must have felt. Yet, all the while, her Heavenly Father lovingly and patiently watched these events unfold. At what seemed the worst possible moment for Mary, He sent the Angel Gabriel to visit Joseph in a dream.
"18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
Matthew 1:18-20
We know the Christmas Story of how Jesus was born in a manger. We see how tired Mary must have been trying to find an Inn to stay the night. Can you imagine her joy at the birth of her Son? Emmanuel, God is with us. Can you imagine her wonder, as she saw the Son of God grow from a baby into manhood? Mary, favored among women, as a mother she held the Son of God, cuddled him, kissed him, and sang him lullabies.
However, she knew that her Son was here for a purpose, to be the Lord and Savior or those who would accept Him. She watched as he started his ministry, one day saying at the wedding feast, "Do as he says." as her Son made water into wine. How proud she must have been.
And then the day He was betrayed, arrested, mocked, spat upon, judged and crucified. The sorrow that she must have borne must have been a sorrow unto death. "My baby, hanging on a cross at Golgotha. Look how he's suffering. I reach out to Him. If there was some way that I could relieve his pain and suffering."
"MY GOD! MY GOD! WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME!"
I see her fall to her knees sobbing as she watches her Son undergo suffering that no man had ever or will ever undergo.
"IT IS FINISHED" And He gave up the ghost.
Thunder rolls, an earthquake, and the veil is split. Mary is oblivious. Her eyes are fixed on her Son as His body is removed from the cross.
"6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."
Mark 16:6
Upon hearing of her Risen Savior, her grief must have turned to a joy that we will never understand. Can you see her now, dropping on her knees, crying with tears of joy?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the greatest vessel on earth, endured more than any mother had or will ever endure.
All this had a purpose, to Redeem us from our sins. Never think that you are not loved, for one Man loved you so much that he died for you so that your sins would be forgiven and you would receive the Promise of Heaven.
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Acts 2:21
By Luella May
John Elliott aka Oaky Wood together with Luella May co-founded http://thecorner4women.com "Motivating & Empowering, both men & Women
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