Mary


It's Advent season, and because of that, I find myself thinking about Mary and Joseph a little more now than I do the rest of the year.

The Bible tells us that Mary was a teenage virgin who was betrothed to be married.  It says when the angel Gabriel appeared to her he said, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.  The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will have no end." - Luke 1:30-33

Back then, a woman who had sex outside of marriage was likely to be stoned to death.  At the VERY LEAST her pregnancy would bring shame upon her and her family.  She would most likely lose her fiancé, and then be forced to raise the child on her own.  But listen to what Mary's response was...

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." - Luke 1:38

No wonder the angel told Mary she had found favor with God!  Hers is the kind of faith God wants from us.  Dedicated.  Unyielding.  True.  EVEN WHEN IT MEANS WE MAY SUFFER FOR IT.

Mary's faith was the same type that Jesus exhibited when he prayed to God at the Mount of Olives..."Father if you are willing, take this cup from me: yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22:42

It is easy to say we have faith when things are going well for us.  But true faith is shown when we are facing our most difficult times.




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