Luke 2 ~ His Mother marveled at what was said about Him

 

Luke 2

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”


39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.




41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

The Real Mary, 
you started to tally up what you think and know of the Biblical Mary. You find a real person with personality. With doubts and hardship. Some one we can identify with as human.

Well. Then. Let's talk about the Sadduceen Council records still available today during the time of Jesus' Ministry. 

And then again, based upon the scandalous things said about Mary, let's not. Jews judged by the mother - quite a Bit. And the one nice thing they said of Mary - she was of the line of David - her father's name was Heli.  







 Different from Joseph's Matthew 1.


Luke 3:22-24

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, 
24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph.

Mary was quite the gal. 

The Sadduceen Council said she was of the Line of David, and they took the time to think about her a few times. Yet evidently, people thought well of the little lady who was hoisted fat and pregnant on an 80 mile donkey ride to a barn.

Jesus Meek and Mild? Where?

Mary Meek and Mild? Where?

Evidently Mary was suitably spoken and well of heart.

 

The Annunciation, Tanner

Isaiah 7 tells of of Roman Occupation and the Economic Climate - Mary could anticipate -

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”

(Syria was the Provence the country of Judah was assigned to be the suburb for - no one Wanted to go to the Kingdom of Judah to rule - this was considered the sticks.)

Flight Egypt Holy Family, Edwin Longsden

18 In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. 19 They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes.

            (Hosea 11:1
             11 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

             Matthew 2:15
             And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which   was spoken of the Lord  
by the prophet, saying, 
Out of Egypt have I called my son.)


20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and private parts, and to cut off your beard also.

(Alexander the Great ordered his soldiers to be clean - shaven - fearing beards would serve as handles for their enemies to grab and kill. "The beard does not make the sage." In Ancient Rome, Pliny wrote in "Kings of Rome and the Early Republic"- P. Ticinius was the first who brought a barber to Rome around 299 B.C.)

(On to the economic forecast ... )

21 In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and two goats. 22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, there will be only briers and thorns. 24 Hunters will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. 25 As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run.

Now is a Great time to add in the historically accurate picture of Bethelem from the 19th Century -

And - This is a great time to add historical records of Herod killing infant boys in Nazareth say the slaughter was 20 babies. A small place. And Mary - "The Pregnant Out of Wedlock One" gets to return to the scene  - Where two Gospels record saying the blended family looked seamless. The Nazareth people say - perfectly blended.

Matthew 13:56
"Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?"

Mary is recorded speaking to the Economic Environment - Purely "Politically Correctly"?

6 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.

Mary is told a sword is going to pierce here soul - but the young woman here is speaking of Fame.

And Blessings. This isn't Meek. Yet what teenager, in a rural city, engaged to a very poor son of David isn't going to think this??? She is Honest. Scriptures are Real. We can Trust God's Word.

How does Mary really, really feel about being occupied by Romans bring this incredible wealth with them?

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”


Mary has a few opinions.
And Oops - she left a young Jesus - Behind.

And when Jesus started creating a dangerous fuss...

Mary goes with James, Joseph, Simon and Judas and his sisters - to "Speak" with Jesus - Causing Jesus to say "Do God's Will!"

Mary isn't that much of a put-off - 

Jesus did stay for a few days with His Disciples in Nazareth - at the house Joseph would have been building when Gabriel did announce the arrival of Emmanuel.  Jesus stayed with Mary, with His Disciples, for the Wedding in Canaan.

Jesus, of course, found a permanent home for Mary with John. Jesus, knew, of course, His Brothers would travel to proclaim the Gospel. (You can look that one up!)

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.


God did not choose a perfect - all knowing - never make a mistake - Demi Goddess. 

~ God chose the first Shepherd to Jesus to be Shepherded as He left.  
~ He had proven even His Mother needed a Savior.
~ God chose Mary who would push Jesus to make a Wedding right. 
~ Wanted to haul Him home. 
~ Distracted enough to loose Him on a Vacation. 
~Opinionated in class and opportunity.  
~ Rejoicing in an opportunity to leave the every day - to Fame. 
= A Real Human Being.


Mary - the Mother of Jesus Christ - Son of God, rejoining His Mothers and Brothers - Doing the Will of God. 



Father God, 

The prayer life of David was real and messy. And very personal to the Heart of You, Father God. Let us pray for life to draw us closer to Love and to Your Heart. 

I lift up my mother, Edward, Opah's family and husband, Wayne, Matthew.  

 And ask Your blessings of joy, guidance and protection to do Your Will with Love.

Mary was never a little bit Pregnant. Nor was Mary a little bit doing God's Call and Charge for her life. Jesus the Lord, our Heavenly Abba and the Powerful Holy Spirit empower us all to live and do the Good Will of our Heavenly Father.

Let us feel the Mercy of God renew each day, by looking for the blessings God provides each day to sustain us in Joy. God tells us to be Salt in life - to bring out the good flavors found around us. To see the good.   

We Bless You Father God for the Light of the World, Jesus. 

And ask in Mercy ~ We ask for rain in the areas of Texas needing rain. Blessings upon our loved ones. For this State and our Nation.  In Jesus. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †