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Discussion Forum : Articles and Sermons : Good from Nazareth!

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shibu
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Joined: 2003/9/13
Posts: 230
Goa, India

 Good from Nazareth!

Reading: Luke 1:26-38
"Behold, I am the maidservant of God; let it be to me according to Your Word" (Lk 1:38)

Mary's was an obedience par excellence. She would face overwhelming social pressures because she would be pregnant with Jesus before marrying Joseph. But her humble willingness is a model of trust and obedience for all of us. The virginal conception was not easy for her to understand. But she accepted it. How could she do it? First, she realised her position before the Lord. She said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord!" (Lk 1:38). There can be no place for "no" or "why" if Christ is accepted as Lord in our lives.

Next, she reckoned the power of God's Word. She declared, "Let it be to me according to Your Word" (v38). Her knowledge of the Scriptures is astounding. There are fifteen discernible quotations from the Old Testament in her song (vv 46-55). The stories of how God created the world, delivered His people from Egypt, saved them from their enemies, performed signs and wonders, dethroned kings, established kingdoms, preserved His people in captivity, etc, had had a profound impact in the heart and mind of this village girl. Now she was called to an experiential knowledge of what she had read. The moment the angel said, "For with God nothing will be impossible," she confessed her wholehearted surrender to Him. The message of the Old Testament Scriptures came alive before her. Here is a lesson of practical importance. Saturating ourselves with the Word of God is a prerequisite for a life of consistent obedience (Col 3:16,17).

Mary and her husband meticulously followed the Law of God. Her purification was "according to" the Law of Moses; their offering was "according to" what is said in the Law of the Lord; and the presentation of the Baby was "as it is written" in the Law of the Lord (Lk 2:22-24,27). Her poverty made her offer two young pigeons only instead of a lamb (Lev 12:7,8). Thus for Baby Jesus everything was done in accordance with the Law.

We spend too much time with audio and video tapes, but too little time with the reading and personal meditation of the Bible. We do not closet ourselves with an open Bible and bent knees. We have become Biblical illiterates. We are ignorant of God's ways and how to please Him. God honours faith and rewards obedience. The angel greeted Mary saying, "Blessed are you among women!" (Lk 1:28).

- R.stanley, Blessing Youth Mission, India


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Shibu Clement

 2005/12/27 1:10Profile





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