Wishing all who read this blog a blessed Mother's Day! May you enjoy this repost from the archives and find inspiration from the faith of Mary, mother of Our Lord.
God’s plan for Mary, mother of Jesus, allowed His Son to fulfill details of the Messianic prophecy through Mary’s genealogy, residence, and betrothal. Man looks on the outward appearance, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Mary’s community may have perceived her as adulterous (Matthew 1:18-19), simple (John 1:42), and weak, but God knew her purity, Godly wisdom, and strength in Him.
God’s plan for Mary, mother of Jesus, allowed His Son to fulfill details of the Messianic prophecy through Mary’s genealogy, residence, and betrothal. Man looks on the outward appearance, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Mary’s community may have perceived her as adulterous (Matthew 1:18-19), simple (John 1:42), and weak, but God knew her purity, Godly wisdom, and strength in Him.
One of the most miraculous prophecies concerning Jesus
Christ, and proving His divinity, was His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:27). Mary herself said she was a
virgin (Luke 1:34); the angel of the Lord told Joseph that Mary was
a virgin (Matthew 1: 20),
and Joseph protected Mary’s virginity
by not consummating their marriage until after Jesus was born (Matthew 1: 25)
The prophet Isaiah had foretold that a virgin would conceive, and bear a son, and call his
name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
In the New Testament, the angel of the Lord repeated the three parts of this prophecy, adding the three-word meaning of Emmanuel: God with us (Matthew 1:23).
The third pronouncement of this prophecy
was by the angel Gabriel, who explained to Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her, that the power of the Highest would overshadow her, and that the holy thing which would be born of her
would be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
Mary was to call her son Jesus (Yeshua; God saves), Who would be great, and be called the Son
of the Highest. The Lord God would give
Him the throne of His father David, and He would reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom would never end (Luke
1:31-33).
How did Mary react to this astounding news, and to Gabriel
telling her not to fear, for she had found favor with God and was blessed among women? With humility (Luke 1:28-33), obedience
(Luke 1:38-39), and faith (Luke 1:45). Her Godly wisdom was therefore profound, for she
knew her utter dependence on Almighty
God (Luke 1:48-49); she followed His Word (Luke 1:38); and she believed
that He would keep His promises (Luke
1:45).
Like Mary, may we always remember that we are nothing without Him (Psalm
8:3-4: John 15:5), that His
Word will guide us if we obey it (Psalm
119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6), and that without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).
As the handmaiden of the Lord, Mary submitted to His perfect plan; immediately sought out her cousin Elisabeth (Luke 1:38-40), whom the angel had told her was blessed by
God to be pregnant in her very old age (Luke
1:36-37); and sang God’s praises
as soon as she arrived (Luke 1:46-55).
Mary’s song of praise to her Lord, God, and Saviour (Luke 1:46-47), often referred to as the Magnificat, echoes
several elements of Isaiah’s prophecies concerning Jesus Christ. The Magnificat
also resembles Hannah’s song of praise to God for granting her a son (1 Samuel 2:1-10), so that there
are three recorded praise testimonies
glorifying God’s gift of a Saviour: those of Isaiah, Hannah, and Mary.
Mary’s hymn praised God, for He would raise up the people of Israel over their enemies (Isaiah 49:6; 1 Samuel 2:1,10; Luke
1:54); give strength to the weak
(Isaiah 49:4-5; 1 Samuel 2:7-8; Luke 1:48-49),
and fill the hungry (Isaiah 49:9-10; Luke 1:53), for He is the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy
One (Isaiah 49:7; 1 Samuel
2:1-2,10).
Through Holy Spirit inspiration, Isaiah had foretold that
the Messiah would be the servant of God
even from the womb (Isaiah 49:5),
the Light (salvation) of the Gentiles
(Isaiah 42:6), and Salvation for Israel (Isaiah 49:6). The angel repeated
to Mary that Jesus would be conceived by the Holy Spirit in her womb, and it is
fitting that the mother of God’s servant
would herself have a servant’s heart
(Luke 1:38), as should all who follow Him (Philippians 2:5-8).
Mary may have known these prophesies of Isaiah from hearing
them in the temple, but we are also told that she was reminded of them by
Simeon, who told Mary and Joseph that the young Child was salvation to all people, a light
for the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel,
God’s people (Luke 2:30-33).
Even before Jesus is born, Scripture gives us three glimpses into Mary’s life: when
the angel Gabriel appears to her (Luke 1:26-38); when she visits Elizabeth for three months (Luke 1:56); and when she travels with Joseph to Bethlehem, only
to learn that there is no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).
Do you have room for Jesus Christ in your life today? Have
you placed your faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1
Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way (John 14:6) to Heaven? If you are born again (John 3:3-8),
are you willing to submit your will to
His and let Him be Lord of your
whole life? May we follow Mary’s example of submission, praise and faith in His perfect plan!
© 2016 Laurie Collett
6 comments:
Hi, I really like your blog. I have been reading it for a long time. I have added your blog to my blogroll. If you have a moment, have a look at my blog and if you like it, please add it your blog roll! Won't be offended if you don't, though!
Dear Controversial Christian,
Thank you so much for reading Saved by Grace and adding it to your blog roll! I don't have a blog roll on my site -- just a list of blog hops where I link up sometimes, but I'm now following you by email.
May God bless you for your ministry to speak His Word through your blog,
Laurie
Dear Laurie,
As you have pointed out so well, Jesus came to be the Saviour of Israel and to be Israel's future glory. There was also a promise that he would come to reign over the House of Jacob - as well a being a light to the Gentiles.
Looking back at history, it was the Jews themselves who called for Jesus to be crucified, and the apostles, after Pentecost, were persecuted more by the Jews rather than by the Romans.
Then for much of the past two millennia, Israel refused to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, while he was generally accepted by the Gentiles, many of whom began to teach that God is finished with Israel and only the Church is the true people of God, replacing Israel in his affairs.
Yet the promise that the Lord will be the King of Israel, its Saviour and its Glory reveals that far from God having finished with Israel, he had merely set it aside so that non-Jews - you and I - may have the chance of salvation and become part of God's family.
Too bad that the Replacement Theory is taught far and wide by many, including the Elders of our own church.
A brilliant triune post about Mary and the prophecies about Jesus. I just love the name "Immanuel" - God with us, or more accurately, "With us, God".
God bless.
Dear Frank,
It is unfortunate that replacement theology is widely taught, for it stems from not rightly dividing the Word of truth. Many errors result from not discerning whether a particular verse speaks to Jews, Gentiles, saved or unsaved, the Church or Israel. God has a distinct plan for each, and He will no way forget about the apple of His eye. Rather, most conversions among Jews will take place during the tribulation.
Thanks as always for your encouragement and insights. God bless,
Laurie
Sadly, many have rejected the virgin birth, not realizing that unless it is true, they have no hope foir the future. Only if it is true can Jesus be the Son of God who is able to take away our sin. Great post.
So true, Donald -- to deny the virgin birth is to deny God's infinite power. Only Jesus, Who has fulfilled or will fulfill all the Messianic prophecies at staggering odds, can be the Christ Who can redeem us. Doubting the virgin birth starts down a slippery slope of not believing God's Word. Thanks for your comment and God bless,
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