Mary’s Story
Have you ever spoken to an angel? Well, Mary did. If you or I have spoken with an angel, then I doubt either of us knew it, but Mary’s interaction is well documented and she was completely aware that she was talking with an angel.
The Virgin Mary
Now don’t tell me that you don’t believe in Mary. There is an entire faith built on the Virgin Mary, so we are going to assume for the sake of argument, that if you are reading this you probably believe that Mary truly existed.
After Mary finished speaking with the angel, she rushed to be with her relative Elizabeth who was pregnant in her old age. They spent 3 months together before Mary came home.
In time, Mary delivered her Son, and the story we all know so well. According to Hebrew law, Mary and her husband, Joseph, came to the temple to present Jesus to the Lord. During this visit they met a man named Simeon.
Behold, this Child
Simeon was an old man who knew he would not die before seeing God’s salvation. On the day that Mary came with her Son, Simeon was there and met the young family. He took Jesus in his arms and blessed Him before sharing a final word with Mary.
Simeon said, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35
God’s Mighty Gift
As we follow Mary through Jesus’ story, we find her at the very end, standing before the cross watching her firstborn Son die. You might wonder if Simeon’s words came back to her from all those years ago.
Surely, Mary must have felt her own soul pierced as she watched God’s Mighty Gift perish before her. When she was first pregnant, Mary exalted the Lord in His greatness and goodness for the mighty work He was doing in her life. How could she reconcile that blessing with what was happening now?
The Thoughts of Many Hearts
So then, what was the point of His death? Was it simply to wound His mother down to her soul? No.
Jesus Christ’s death happened to make you and I talk. 2,000 years later, Simeon’s words are still coming true. When Simeon said Mary’s Son would be a sign “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,” he was referring to you and I and everyone else.
God wants to know what is in our hearts. And while He knows what is in our hearts, He still wants us to profess the faith that resides there.
The apostle, Paul, said, “For with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:10
There Will be a Day
Jesus Christ’s death is our salvation, but how many people will take advantage of the great gift that Jesus Christ has offered through His death on the cross? And what happens to those who choose not to believe in Jesus Christ and what He has done?
There will be a day when all of the commotion of this life is over and every act of human will is finished. What happens then?
Do you want the bottom line? Here it is… The Book of Matthew says the righteous will go into eternal life. Can we finish right there? I wish.
Unfortunately, that is not the complete answer for when this life is over. Let us back up to the beginning of that verse in Matthew.
What Are Your Thoughts?
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:44-46
What are the thoughts of your heart about Jesus Christ? There is a very good chance you have already spoken your feelings about Him. If you believe in Him then that is amazing. But if you do not believe yet then let me tell you there is still time to believe!
ALL Who Believe
Mary’s story didn’t end with Jesus’ death. You see, Mary was a mother. Not only was Jesus her son but she did have other children. Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him when He was alive, but they came to believe that their brother, Jesus, was the Son of God and that He came to earth to offer up His life willingly so that ALL who believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.
My friend, God is real, Jesus Christ is real, angels are real, heaven is real, and eternity is real.
The gift of Jesus Christ is still available. I urge you to give your life to Christ today!
Resources
Just in case you are not aware of the virgin birth and Mary’s true story.
Behold the Maidservant of the Lord!
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38
Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory to God in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:1-20