Bible Soundbites
Monday, 28 July 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. Luke 1:26-27
Of all the people God could have chosen to be Jesus’ mother, Mary seems like an unlikely candidate. Probably just 13 or 14 years old, she is unmarried, has no previous parenting experience and has no money to bring up a child...*
And yet, God chooses an ordinary person for an extraordinary purpose.
* Mary lives in one of the poorest regions of the Roman Empire; Galileans were taxed 70% of their income.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you! … Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God!” Luke 1:28 & 30
The Bible says Mary was confused by this greeting – no wonder, an angel of God was saying it, while calling her favoured! Her? Favoured?
Time and again the Bible reminds us that God favours the humble, the lovers of God, the carers of the poor, the fighters against injustice…. It’s not the rich, or the powerful, or the beautiful – it’s man that looks at those things; God looks at the heart.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
How will she tell her fiancé Joseph? Will Joseph abandon her? How will she explain things to her family? How will she escape being labelled an adulteress and being stoned to death?
Mary’s faith is an example to all of us – she doesn’t worry about any of these details. Instead, she humbly and joyfully accepts God’s unexpected direction for her life and trusts that he will cause it to happen just as he has said.
Thursday, 31 July 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour… For the mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.” Luke 1:46 & 49
Mary had a praising heart and she responds to God’s news in joyful song. One of the most remarkable things about Mary’s song is that she refers to 12 different Old Testament prayers within it! At 13 or 14 years old, Mary clearly knows the God of whom she sings.
Friday, 01 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4-5
Mary and Jesus are at a wedding when the wine runs out (a huge social faux pas!) Mary discerns that Jesus’ time has arrived, but that he might need a nudge!
How wisely she does this! Her comment to the servants empowers Jesus to step into his authority while still leaving the decision up to him. Her comment is also a nugget of truth we should take on board in our own lives.
Saturday, 02 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind,” … Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. Mark 3:20-21 & 31
Uh-oh! Jesus isn’t eating and his mum is not pleased! “Enough’s enough!” I can hear Mary saying before she sets off…
Over time Mary had to learn that her legitimate motherly concerns for her son’s health and safety could hinder him fulfilling his mission. She learnt to live with this tension well enough to not interfere when Jesus was eventually crucified.
Sunday, 03 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Mary
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14
What a rollercoaster three years Mary must have had as Jesus ministered, was unjustly crucified, rose from the dead and then ascended into heaven. Somewhere through it all, Mary must have realised with certainty that the angel Gabriel had been right; Jesus was indeed the saviour of the world. What an invaluable part of the early church I imagine Mary became…