Two Year Gospel Study Week 49

Luke 1:26-38; “Mary’s Story” 

The Christmas story is familiar to most of us, but Pastor Dodge gives us a fresh view of this well know story over the next few weeks beginning today with the story of Mary, Jesus’ mother.

Mary’s name means bitter.  She was born in an obscure village, raised in a difficult time when the children of Israel were in bondage to Roman master. BUT her Son would not only redeem Israel - He would redeem the world.

Very little is know about Mary. What we know is that she was a virgin born in the town of Nazareth, a town not even mentioned in the Old Testament. However, God chose an obscure little town and an unknown young woman to be the carriers of His promised Savior. Though Mary’s name means bitter, God changes things! He turns bitterness into joy! A unique birth, a unique mother and a unique child!  

Today, Christmas is under attack. Yet perhaps it’s more than that. The battle is larger than the attack on Christmas, it’s a battle that goes back to the garden of Eden. It’s not a war on Christmas, it’s a war on God.

The human race, since our fall, has been hostile to the things of God. But! The magnitude of God’s love is that He breaks into our world even when we are His enemies.

Let us pray that God would move in the lives of people to reveal His incredible goodness.

This well-known story shows us many things:
    ⁃    God breaks into the life of Mary and He still breaks into our lives today.
    ⁃    Mary willingly listened to God’s message to her through the angel Gabriel and His Word is still active and alive today!
    ⁃    Gabriel tells her what to name her son. She is to name Him Jesus, meaning “God saves” and God continues to save His people today through faith in Christ Jesus.
    ⁃    Mary asked “I am a virgin, how will this be?” Gabriel responded through the Holy Spirit and the angel goes on to say in Luke 1:37 “For no word from God will ever fail.” God’s promises are assured. He does the impossible!  He does what no human being can accomplish - our redemption! Jesus alone redeems and saves.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit using the Virgin Mary to conceive and bear a Son - God’s one and only Son - Jesus breaks into our world with His saving grace!

Today’s reading ends with Mary saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” and then the angel left her. Such a powerful example of trust - she hears the word of God, receives it, believes it and rejoices in it.

So much to learn from Mary. She’s not just our Savior’s mother, she is an amazing role model for any who desire to be servants of the Lord.  Things that stand out about Mary that we can apply in our own lives as well:
    1.    Devout Faith - trusted God even when what Gabriel told her seemed impossible.  We too are called to devout faith in God today.
    2.    Humility - humble individual who knew it wasn’t about her, but about God. A truth for us to internalize too.
    3.    Obedience - she listened, obeyed and followed God. Faith saves and when we have faith we will obey!  Faith shows itself in obedience.
    4.    Worship - sing praises- thank God for what He has done.

As we celebrate Christmas we’re not simply looking back to what happened long ago at Jesus’ first coming. We’re also looking forward to His final coming when He returns - when He reigns and rules forevermore!

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.