Finishing the Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus

Women of Courage – Finishing the Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus

Wrapping up the lesson

We returned to question 7 the attributes of God’s nature: did Mary include in her song of praise?  We read all about His greatness, his holiness, his great mercy, his power, the strength of his own arm.   We spoke about God’s faithfulness, from generation to generation.  

We returned to the blog and re-read the words that had been discussed previously.

Mary was a young girl when she was called by God, an ordinary young girl, about to experience the extraordinary.  We thought about her learning of God’s word. Children were taught God’s words, memorizing them.  Women had to depend upon the men in their lives to give them God’s instructions. 

Most Israelites were looking for a conquering king to come, but few were looking for a saving Savior.  In Luke 4 it becomes obvious.  They weren’t looking to change themselves, but for someone to change their circumstances.  People are very much the same today.  Few are willing to repent for the sin in their lives. 

When Mary was told she would bear the Christ, she was told that he would reign forever and that his kingdom would not end.  Did she also understand that He would be a suffering savior?  It may have taken time for her, as she watched his growth, wisdom, and all the things that took place in His life.  There were times throughout her life when others continued to confirm the coming kingdom.

 Luke 1- Zacharias’ prophecy when his voice returned:

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

 

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

His prophecy mentions the remission of sin.  Dayspring can be a new day or it can mean a shoot or branch.  This describes the messiah, the branch of the Lord and the light of the world. 

And in Luke 2:

²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Jesus is referred to as the consolation

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

God is faithful.  Mary understood her part in God’s plan. 

REFLECTION QUESTION #5 In what ways do questions about God’s plan and purpose often keep a person from embracing the plan fully or trusting the Lord unconditionally?

The night of Christ’s birth was messy.  They didn’t have a room, things were not in place.  It was a difficult time.  She was labeled because of her pregnancy.  She had to watch her child grow and suffer.  It was a very hard time in her life.

These scriptures were given in response to the reflection

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Lamentations 3:22-25

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:26-28

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.