When Mary First Met Jesus
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Luke 2:18-19, 33-35And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart….33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against. 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
In our daily devotionals, please join me occasionally in a study of how Jesus impacted people around Him. I can’t think of a better place to start with that theme than with Jesus’ mother, Mary.
I have often wondered how difficult and frightening it would be for this young woman to face the challenges that would come with being the mother of the Messiah. Can you imagine the faith it would take for her to tell the angel who said that she would become the mother of the Son of God?
Luke 1:38-Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Oh, Mary knew that it would be difficult. She would be pregnant after being legally married (Matthew 1:20, 24; Luke 2:5), but before she and Joseph consummated their marriage (Matthew 1:24-25). In other words, people would generally assume that she had committed adultery (which was usually punishable by death-Deuteronomy 22:22), or that she and Joseph had become pregnant when tradition said they shouldn’t have been together until after they began living together in the second phase of their marriage (see https://marktabata.com/2024/12/27/lessons-from-the-journey-to-bethlehem/). She was in for a hard road! She could expect people saying lies about her, slandering her. She would be the one that would be whispered about by the ladies and village members who gathered together, when disapproving and judgmental looks would be cast her way. It reminds me of what the Prophet Simeon said to her, that a sword would pierce her own soul as well. Interestingly, Luke says that she also “marveled” at the things which were spoken by the shepherds.
Three things I pick up from all of this.
First, God comes into the world (and more powerfully into our lives if we have become Christians-see Acts 2:38) during some of the most difficult and trying times. The world was hopeless and bleak when the Lord came into it. Yet He brings hope. In the same way, He brings comfort to us in some of the most difficult times we face. Not necessarily by taking us from them, but by joining Himself to us in those times. He is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) or, more literally translated, “God with YOU.” Turn to Him, trust Him, and thank Him for His strength during the times when life is the darkest.
Second, we will not always understand everything that is going on or that will happen. That is part of the definition of that word “marveled.” It is adoring worship wrapped up in the knowledge that we don’t know everything of what is happening, but we trust Who is with us (i.e., the Lord). Who could fully understand what happened with the shepherds and the vision that they beheld? Surely Mary and Joseph knew that the sign of the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:8-12) was especially significant for the shepherds: for they were used to wrapping newborn lambs that were destined to be sacrificed for sin in swaddling clothes. Can you imagine how frightening and ominous that must have been for Mary? Having her newborn Child compared with a Lamb that was to be sacrificed for sin? Who could understand how things would play out! Sometimes in our Christian walk, we won’t fully understand why things happen, or how they will work out.
Psalm 131:1-3-A Song of Ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. 2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.
Third, in the same way, following Jesus will be a reminder to us that while there will be pain in the pathway of Christ, it will work together for good. Mary was able to face the promise of difficult times because of the certainty that God would work things together for good.
Genesis 50:20-But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Deuteronomy 8:16-who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—
Psalm 46:1-God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Zephaniah 3:17-The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Thank You Lord Jesus for coming to be with us in our doubt, our ignorance, our wonder, our struggles, our pains, our temptations, our sins, and in our triumphs. It is only because of You and Your faithfulness that we have confidence and victory. Please guide us today through whatever difficulties that we will face. You will be with us through them all, and we thank You. Amen.