Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us



What did Mary think this would look like?

Probably not like this...

Sent to see the cousin for 3 months. We will never know what the voyage 70 miles looked like.

Did Mary see this as sent as a "Betrothed" to Bethlehem. Where no room was found at the inn. (Would Jesus think of His Parents and the donkey on Palm Sunday) - No one would ask a woman about to give birth to walk 70 miles.

Luke 2

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Joseph might not have been used to bringing a child into the world - any more than Mary. I really did not realize Mary was not Joseph's wife. Joseph had decided the Child was from God and wanted this to be remembered as God's Child. Joseph marries Mary after Jesus is born. Matthew 1:25

Surely this did not seem to them as a Holy Adventure now. Probably fairly scary. Where were the beaming grandparents? God Himself had given these young people an adventure many, many, many people could relate to through the millenniums. A very ordinary story of responsibility and worry and physical anguish.

God would provide. More abundantly than all they could ask or think.

Suddenly more than Joseph, more than Elizabeth and silent Zechariah - suddenly more people understood what Mary had been telling people about Emmanuel and Gabriel and God.

Suddenly many, many people had shared in what Mary knew of God as Jesus' Father. And as Mary understood how important this was - they knew how vast and impressive and stunning Jesus - a baby - Son of God is to the Salvation of the entire World. Light of Light. God of God.


Luke 2

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 


20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

In true belief of a real. merciful God of Love - Mary and Joseph boldly and with confidence take Jesus and their betrothed status to the Temple. Where every boy born is seen to be Holy to God and in the Temple of God - Mary and Joseph encounter more people - who fully - understand - Jesus is God.

Simeon cradles the baby Jesus in his arms and proclaims with confidence his eyes have seen Salvation.

Anna began to speak of Jesus within the Temple for the rest of her life. This is, after all, this is, of course, God's Temple.

And this did not stop. Mary had journeyed for 9 months. Sometimes alone. Sometimes far. And suddenly the Wise Men arrived. Bringing gifts. An echo and a repeat of God the Father bringing the Children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt - with the gold and silver - to be used so support God's Temple.



Exodus 11:2
Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.

God had not forgotten speaking to Moses. He had not forgotten His Great Signs. God had not forgotten His Promise of the Messiah. God had not forgotten borders cease and Egypt was His Country as well. Jesus would go to Egypt.

Luke 2

Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


Father God,

Vast God, Creator of all things, with Whom are You Pleased with?

Those who do their best to keep the commandments and understand the true freedom in Jesus Christ. Those who Do the Will of God. Without faith it is impossible to please You, Father God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek God.

Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

By the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

To love God with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength.

To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

I delight to do your will, O my God.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

To know the Word of God is Authoritative. Say the word, and let my servant be healed. When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends.

Blessed be God to Cover Me in The Tender Mercy of Jesus. Blessed be the Lord Jesus to dwell within me. Jesus forgive me of all my wrong doing and Live within me always. I thank You always for Your Salvation. And lift all of my Loved ones and people You have given me into Your reliable Tender Love.

Covering us all in the Name of Jesus in Faith. Son of God. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †