Godly Character: Mary part 2

Open your Bibles to Luke 2 that is our text today and I hope that it will be a text that you will read more than once this week even though it may be the chapter of the Bible that you know the best.

The government was upsetting Mary’s plans.

Luke 2:1–3 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.

I don’t think that it entered Mary’s mind that Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem. The Bible doesn’t say that she did. She probably began making plans about the baby after she talked to Gabriel and all the fallout with what happened with Joseph was over she began nesting. You know that thing that women do that us men don’t understand. The planning and preparing for a baby. Well guess what the government through all that into a chaotic mess. We always picture Silent Night Holy Night. But nothing about this pregnancy seemed to be going Mary’s way. Not her time not her plan not her place, not even her man of choice.

God had a better plan, called Bethlehem.

Luke 2:4 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,

You see God had been planning the incarnation of Jesus for thousands of years. Dropping bread crumbs for the world to see that this was His plan from the very beginning. Last week I spoke about Protoengelium. Do you remember what that was the first hint of the gospel in the Old Testament. I believe that God’s plan includes bread crumbs all through the scripture do you know what Jesus did, He came to this earth to defeat the big bad evil one. Mary was a part of that and her character was a huge part of that in Genesis God said to the serpent Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.

I struggle with that verse until I learn the lesson of Bethlehem.

God’s plan is to restore peace.

Micah 5:2–5 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; And this One shall be peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land, And when he treads in our palaces, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight princely men.

There is something that I just can’t get over. Do you remember Assyria in the Old Testament they were the big bad guys completely evil. Remember Jonah ran from Ninevah the capitol city of Ninevah. Sennacherib Assyria. They were the opposite of peace. They were evil. I always say that the Assyrian is always opposite of anti every single clear prophecy of Bethlehem. Hosea 11 Isaiah 7 and Micah 5 go check it out later. They brought the opposite of peace to this world and I don’t believe God is done with these prophecies yet. The Assyria brings war and chaos. Bethlehem has to names house of bread house of war. Jesus used sweet Mary to bring peace on earth good will to men. By him the OT prophets embodiement of evil will face it’s crushing blow by the Christ child who would bring us peace. Bread crumbs leading to Bethlehem to the cross and to Jesus Christ finally delivering complete victory and eternal peace when Satan’s reign of terror is no more. It all passes through the pregnancy of Mary in jerusalem. I think we miss out on a lot when we don’t look at the entire context of the Bible.

Mary was engaged and pregnant.

Luke 2:5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

We know that Mary wasn’t perfect, no person is. Did Mary do anything wrong to get her in this predicament? We know the answer to that question is a big fat NO! She was pure but pregnant. This goes to my point of Mary’s Godly Character in this story. It is what God thinks about you not what the world thinks about you. She was pure before God. She must have been in chaos. Being pregnant is hard enough. I don’t know from experience. I can’t know from experience. No matter how hard I try that won’t happem. As Art E used to say to me I don’t pass the physical. Now the counter very good arguement to that is. It would be impossible for Mary to get pregnant. I get what I am asking of you… If you aren’t a person of faith. The virgin birth is a big leap. I am not asking you to put your trust in the mixed up thinking of man, but I am asking you to put your faith a creator God that is able to do the impossible.

One birth changed the world.

Luke 2:6–7 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.

There are only two people that know the entire set of events that happened on that first Christmas. We assume a lot of details, but only Joseph Mary and God knew the truth. Mary was an eye witness to the greatest story ever told. How long was the labor? Was Jesus born at night Now I know the Shepherd are going to come at night but did God give the couple the courtesy of some time alone with their baby. Was there an inn keeper? Did she ride a donkey? Was Jesus born in a barn? There just isn’t a lot we know. People of Character keep these things the problems the miracles a lot of what happened was private. We know enough about Jesus birth to get excited about the miracle but there is so much we don’t know.

Little did Mary know, but God was stirring up shepherds.

Luke 2:8–9 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.

Mary I am sure had no idea what God was up to. I have to tell you a story. When my son was born. I was so excited. I sent a picture to Pastor Dan of my wife and new born child. Pastor Dan put it up on the screen. Congratulations to Scott and Michelle on the birth of there.... I was in trouble. I am not saying God did anything wrong here. I just want you to consider the gracious hospitality that Mary had on the night of the birth of our Savior. There was a reason.

Joy to the world, the LORD is come.

Luke 2:10–11 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.

Remember what I said the world has had a problem since the garden of eden. That serpent of old the deciever, Jesus said He was a liar and a murderer from the beginning. Man alive. I rejoice! Christmas is wonderful. Not because we are going to get fat. Have a bunch of gifts and get together with family. It is because Jesus came to defeat the devil sin and his cronnies. Christmas can be the most joyous day of the year or it should be the saddest. I think about this. If you don’t know Jesus as your Savour your father is the devil and Christmas is nothing to celebrate. It’s like hurray my side lost the battle and I am in big trouble. But you want to know the best part of Christ, Jesus came to save you from that. Come over here. Join us! Find salvation from that cruel evil dictator the devil.

A humble mother, presents her humble child.

Luke 2:12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

Godly character is humble, just like Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5–7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Mary is so humble. Mothers dream of showing off their baby. Fancy crib, new nursery, brand new clothes. Everything is new new new. How humble Mary must have been to show him off in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

Rejoice, Peace has come!

Luke 2:13–14 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!”

This humble mother had something to celebrate, PEACE!

Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Mary could celebrate the peace that God had placed in her arms. Would she experience worldy peace in her life. Let me list something things she faced

Herod tried to kill her son

The first thing this family experiences is running across the border to Egypt

She loses Jesus as a young man

Jesus leaves home on a religious experience

Her other sons reject Jesus

He makes a lot of enemies in the religious and political communities

She has to watch Him die on the cross

Mary held the peace of God in her hands temporarily and in her heart eternally.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Mary entertained Shepherds unaware.

Luke 2:15–16 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.

I used a little play on words there but you understand the hospitality of Mary on that Christmas night. Showing her Godly Character. I think Mary eventually found out that night the reason and purpose for the shepherds intruding on her special night and she was so gracious to let them in but when you have Jesus you have to share him.

Jesus and Mary’s story affected the world.

Luke 2:17–18 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.

Mary’s testimony of her relationship with Jesus was amazing. You have a testimony of what Jesus did to you. Are you the same person you once were before Jesus came into your heart? If not the world needs to know your story. Reach out and tell others who will tell others. If Jesus has changed your life people of Godly Character have a story to tell.

Godly Character: MARY!

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Man that verse has always kind of bothered me. But when I was writing this. It was the theme of the entire thing. Look all of what Mary went through. but we don’t hear any complaining. She was a Godly woman. She doesn’t say this baby ruined my wedding plans. This baby ruined my family plans. Ceasar ruined my birth. That inn couldn’t make room for me. Why wouldn’t those shepherds leave me alone. Why does my baby have to have swaddling clothes and a manger. NO she was a woman of character. She humbly and peacefully held the humble God who left His Father’s throne the prince of peace who would defeat sin and the devil in her arms. This Christmas may get chaotic. Our world may get chaotic learn a lesson from Mary about having Godly character and relationship with Jesus. He is the reason for the season. Be humble enjoy His peace!