Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey
English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:38
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
Mary believed God. Mary, the teenage girl, a virgin, dragged around the country, heavily pregnant. For a census she probably did not care much about, by a new husband - who considered having her stoned to death. A quick marriage ceremony and learning to live with the 500 to 1,500 people in Nazareth. (Where the 3rd century Church reports the Romans asked his nephews to denounce Jesus & Jesus' great, great nephews were put to death in an attempt to kill off the spread of Christianity, for 400 years). After the holy family had flight to Egypt, they returned years later to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph had a seamless family; they were seen as good parents in the small town. A hard thing to do, not to favor or disfavor the Son of God.
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
Mary believed God. Mary, the teenage girl, a virgin, dragged around the country, heavily pregnant. For a census she probably did not care much about, by a new husband - who considered having her stoned to death. A quick marriage ceremony and learning to live with the 500 to 1,500 people in Nazareth. (Where the 3rd century Church reports the Romans asked his nephews to denounce Jesus & Jesus' great, great nephews were put to death in an attempt to kill off the spread of Christianity, for 400 years). After the holy family had flight to Egypt, they returned years later to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph had a seamless family; they were seen as good parents in the small town. A hard thing to do, not to favor or disfavor the Son of God.
Mary had a very difficult thing to do, returning to Nazareth to raise kids - the lady who was pregnant during the betrothal. Mary even had to live down the Sanhedrin Council gossip still available in the 1st Century Talmud, upon the Sanhedrin discovering to their discomfort the miracles of Jesus. The Talmud ponders the problem of a living Jesus and denounces his mother. The Sanhedrin later try to cover up the quick, night trial without all the council present and again denounce Mary. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Still she lived in peace. And her family is recorded as being a seamless family, although blended. Jesus would agree with their parenting in the Scriptures.
Mark 6:2-4
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Why would Jesus adopt John as his family. Perhaps partly, not to send Mary empty away even after she and His brothers had called for Him to leave with them.
Luke 8:21
And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:21
And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Acts 1:14
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
1 Corinthians 9:5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
We do Mary a disservice when we fail to recognize her role as a mother and a wife. A mother who tried to rescue her Son. A mother the Scriptures record as not repeating her mistake. Jesus honored Mary and He limited her role.
Luke 11:27
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
1 Corinthians 9:5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
We do Mary a disservice when we fail to recognize her role as a mother and a wife. A mother who tried to rescue her Son. A mother the Scriptures record as not repeating her mistake. Jesus honored Mary and He limited her role.
Luke 11:27
As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed! But he said, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
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