Something About Mary
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You because You are just in all Your ways. I come now to learn more of Your ways.
Read LUKE 1:39-45
[39]
Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
A wonderful picture: two humble women meet and the power of the Holy Spirit is upon them. Mary is overwhelmed by what she knows about the child she is carrying; Elizabeth is overwhelmed by what she discovers about the child Mary is carrying.
Think Further
Women are important in Luke’s story. With Anna, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Tabitha, Priscilla and others, these two women, Mary and Elizabeth, at the turning point of salvation history, are wonderful examples of Christian discipleship–righteousness, faithfulness, service, prayerfulness, courage and unhesitating obedience. They are also fabulous examples of motherhood–raising their children in the Lord with great love. While some Christian traditions have arguably elevated Mary’s status too much, it is only right that she is highly honored alongside Peter and Paul as a role model for authentic discipleship. We should give thanks each Christmas to God for her faithfulness.
Luke’s account of John and Jesus in their mothers’ wombs speaks of the importance of the unborn child. In God’s Word, personhood begins at conception. While in the womb, John is filled with the Spirit and moves in response to the presence of Mary and Jesus. David sings, “From my mother’s womb you have been my God” (Psa. 22:10). Again he sings that God has “knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psa. 139:13, ESV; cf. Eccl. 11:5; Hos. 12:3). God forms prophets, his Servant and apostles–and you and me–in the womb.
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth speaks powerfully into two great tragedies of our time. First, the subjugation of women: Christians are called to stand against male domination. Second, violence against children: Christians stand for children. We stand for the unborn child. We do so with the grace and love that this unborn child Jesus will do as he grows to full manhood and cries, “Let the little children come to me” (Luke 18:16). We offer God’s grace to women who have been through the pain of termination. We offer support for those facing unwanted pregnancies, journeying with them. We open our homes to adoption as an alternative. In grace, we pray for change.
Apply
Give thanks for Mary and great women of Scripture and history. Pray for an end to the abuse of women and the denigration of mothers, and for unborn children everywhere.
Closing prayer
Father, thank You for these two wonderful women. May their example of trust and godliness spur me on to greater devotion to You.
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