Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #17 Mary and Her Son, Jesus

 

Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King
#17 Mary and Her Son, Jesus

Introduction:

As I was considering what to preach for Mother’s day and also keep with our theme for the year, which is Jesus, creator, savior, Lord and King. I thought it would be interesting to examine Jesus and his relationship with His mother Mary. Especially, I wanted to look for the love, affection of a mother to her son, but also the love and affection of Jesus, both the son of Mary and the Son of God. How would that dynamic affect the mother and son relation.

Now we all know that Mary was just a young Jewish girl chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world. She had no immaculate conception, she had no special holiness and in fact she had to be saved in the very same way that all sinners must be saved, by faith in Jesus the Christ. Mary the Jewish mother would be appalled at what some people today believe about her, taken from the son and savior she loved what could only His and applying it instead to her. She would pronounce them blasphemers and pagans and she would be right.

And yet there is something special about Mary the mother of Jesus. Lets begin this journey through the life of Mary and Jesus in Luke chapter 1 with what is called the magnificent of Mary, her praise to God when she is with her cousin Elizebeth.

Mary, the Mother of The Baby Jesus - Luke 1:46

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things;

Luke 2:16-19  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Mary and The Mircle of Jesus’ Birth

Luke 1:46-66 is called the Magnificat of Mary, it is Mary magnifying or gloryify God for the miracle of birth. And of course in Mary’s case a miracle above and beyond any birth every birth before it. Her child, who would be name Jesus, Yeshua, Joshua, the Lord is Salvation, would be born through her who had never known a man.

Her prayer resembles Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God by in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. This psalm of praise from Mary shows she is well acquainted with the Law and the prophets, the OT and it also shows here close fellowship with the the God of Israel.

Luke may have had special access with Mary for he is the only Gospel writer who records many of this early events in Joseph, Mary and Jesus life.

Look at another of these Luke only events in Luke 2:22-35 (At eight days Jesus was circumcised and for seven days after the birth the mother was considered unclean and she would be isolated with her child. For 33 more days she would be ceremonially unclean and then would take a sacrifice to the temple and be ceremonially purified. At that time they also afford a sacrifice for the firstborn child. This was a called a redeeming the firstborn, a buying back from God and a thanksgiving for the birth. )

Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (This was the sacrifice that poor people gave those who could not afford a lamb.) 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

We don’t have time to spend here but I want you to notice Lukes comments on Mary when it comes to the miracle of her little baby.

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

And in Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Mary like any other mother loved her child, but her child was named by the angel Gabriel. Her child caused the babe in her cousin Elizabeth’s womb to jump, when he, John the future Baptist recognized his messiah. Her child’s birth was announced by angels and greeted by shepherds. Her child was identified by Simeon and Anna as the Messiah and savior of all mankind. And most of all, her child according to Simeon would cause her mother’s soul to be pierced through as by a sword.

All of this Mary “kept in her heart and reflected upon for the early life of Jesus.

The next event we find with Mary and Jesus is about 12 years later and again only Luke gives us this story. It is in Luke 2:46

Mary, Mother of the Teen Jesus - Luke 2:46-52

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Mary and the Maturing of Jesus

Joseph, Mary and Jesus now 12 years old travel to Jerusalem from Nazareth where they have been living for 10 years since fleeing to Egypt after Jesus birth. Passover was one of 3 feasts where all the males were required to come to Jerusalem and offer a sacrifice to the Lord. It is a 7-day festival and at the end of it they begin their journey home in a company of family and friends who had traveled with them to the Passover. They begin the trip, but Jesus stayed behind, they thought he was with others in the group and at the end of the day, begin to look for him and he can’t be found. They immediately turn back and for 3 days, they search for their son. 3 days can you imagine what that must have been like for them. Their son lost among a million Passover pilgrims.

Finally, “they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” When Mary asks, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Jesus’ reply is as amazing as the answers and questions he had been engaged in. “How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” In the Greek, it is literally, I must be about my Father’s. The word business is not there. Jesus this 12 yr old child isn’t being mean or rude, he is asking his parents, “Why didn’t you come here to the Temple and search right away? Didn’t you know that I must be doing my Father’s business, or I must be in my Father’s house. Where else would I have gone.”

And notice once again in Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus the baby in the manger, Jesus the baby of prophecy was becoming the young man who would be the Messiah. His mother Mary sees what is happening but cannot understand it completely, how could she? Nothing in her upbringing or knowledge could prepare her to be the mother of the promised Messiah of Israel. There was no road map laid out for here and here when Jesus the boy begins to show that future man who would completely fulfill all the prophecies of the OT.

To Mothers of one Miracle Babies

If you are a mother, or a parent your child is still a miracle of God, just one miracle though rather multiple miracles of Mary’s son Jesus, but can’t you relate on some level to what Mary and Joseph are going through? What happened to that little boy or girl that you used to know so well. That child that saw me as the center of their world and now their world suddenly expands and I am not the center of their world anymore.

What did Mary do? What should you do even if your baby is only one miracle rather than the miracle upon miracle that was Mary’s child? What you do is what Mary did. You trust your child to God. You trust your training that child in the things of God. And you trust your prayers are being heard and will be heard and answered by God.

This time of maturing comes to all parents and the only way you can prepare for it is to love your children, train up you children and pray for your children. You must trust them to God. This is what the Word of God tells us as parents.

There was never a fear of Jesus rebelling or turning away from his parents, but your one-miracle child has no such guarantee. The Bible gives us our best hope.

Proverbs 22:6 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Not a guarantee but a strong hope and plan for saving and keeping your children in your love and in His love.

In Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is your best hope for them and for you family. In this world, truly, it is your only hope.

Go with me to John chapter 2 and we will see the next phase of Mary and Jesus’ mother and son relationship.

Mary, Mother of the Miracle Worker Jesus - John 2:1-8

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

Mary and the Messiah’s First Miracle

What a interesting, insightful story and it centers on Mary and Jesus, now a grown man, probably in his 30s, which was the time when a man could be a priest under Jewish law. Cana is just north of Nazareth and the hometown of Nathaniel. It seems that Mary knew this family and was invited to the wedding and perhaps she encouraged the family to also invite Jesus and his disciples. At his point Jesus only has 6 disciples and that meant that perhaps in this scenario 7 extra people came to the wedding.

During the wedding Mary, who may have been helping the family comes to Jesus and simply informs him. They have run out of wine. Literally, she said, The wine has failed. This would have been a seriously embarrassing failure. The wedding feast ran for 7 days and it was the responsibility of the brides family to supply all the guests during that time. They would be seen as failures because the wine had failed. In some instances the family could even be fined for not taking care of their guest.

Mary comes to Jesus, and she doesn’t ask him to do anything. Did you notice that. He just informs him what has happened but the implication of doing something is there. Notice Jesus response, “John 2:4 Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” There is something more there than just a faux pas at a wedding. Jesus reply is “What does this have to do with me and you? This isn’t our concern. But there is also this statement, “Mine hour is not yet come.”

Mary had been treasuring and pondering in her heart the miracles and events of her son and his life. From his birth to Jerusalem at her purification and later at the Passover. More recently, Jesus’ cousin John had been preaching “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John the Baptist was the forerunner, Recently John had baptized Jesus and gave this testimony Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” Her son had also begun to call his first disciples. Was it time, was her boy ready to begin in fully his work as the Messiah of Israel? And so, she as his mother, dares to propose to her miracle child, the first miracle ever Jesus did.

It may have sounded like a rebuke but it was not. Jesus used the word woman a term of endearment, that he also used while on the cross. He was not rebuking her just reminding her that it was His and the Father’s timetable not his mothers. And yet what does Mary do when she leaves Jesus? She turns to the servants and says, “Whatever he tells you to do, do it.” She knew her son, she shared a wonderful bond of love and affection with him and she also shared the reality of who He truly was. He was not just her son, but he was the Messiah, the Savior sent from God through her to save Israel .

Mary, Mother of the Missional Jesus - Mark 3:14-22

 Mark 3:31-35 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Mary And the Mission of Jesus

I just want to touch on this quickly. Jesus now has all twelve of his apostles they are named in vs. 14-19. They go into a house and at this point perhaps the second year, the year of popularity, when Jesus teaches, he is thronged by those who want to hear him and his now public miracles are drawing opposition from the Pharisees and scribes.

His friends and family are concerned about his welfare, about what he is doing, about what is going to happen and so they come and try to take him away. The phrase, “he is beside himself” in Greek is “He is out of his mind.” Then later his mother and family show up, they can’t get near him the house if full and the crowd outside is too thick. They somehow pass the word through the crowed that they are outside and wanting to see him, wanting to draw him away, to retreat from this dangerous situation.

Jesus’ reply shows a change in his relationship with Mary. “Who is my mother, or my brethren?  And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

Jesus is now fully on his mission given him before the world began, the mission to save the world. A mission that at the cost of his own life, would make all those who believe in Him part of the family of God. They would be brought into the family not by a bond of blood but by the shedding of His blood.

Mary is now on the outside, not because Jesus didn’t love her or deny his relationship with her but because his mission from God the father must and would take priority over all earthly relationships.

Mothers know that God must come first.

If you truly wish to love your children then put God first in your life and teach your children that He must be first in their life. Nothing must come before God. Mary’s mission was to bring the Messiah into the world, care, protect and raise him. Jesus mission was to give his life at Calvary as a sacrifice for our sin. Mother’s and father’s your mission is to raise, protect and guide your children so that they make God and His love the priority of their life.

This is what Jesus said  when asked what is the greatest, the most important commandment. Mark 12:29-30 The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Understand that priority of love to God does not limit your child’s love to you. Unlike this world’s so called love, the true love of God is always multiplied and never divided. It is an endless supply that flow from God to us and then to all we love. Mothers and Fathers if you want to love you children forever, love God first. If you want your children to love you forever, both figuratively and litearlly then love God first. Your love will run dry but love given to Him is restored to you a thousand fold so that you can then pass it on to others.

There is one last glimpse of Mary and her son’s relationship, it is spoken in words from the cross as Jesus life blood was being poured out for our salvation.

Mary, The Mother of Her Savior Jesus - John 19:25-27

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Mary and the Death of Jesus

There are 7 saying that Jesus uttered while dying on the cross. They are some of the most precious words ever spoken. “Father, forgive them.” “My God, my God why has though forsaken me?” “It is finished.” All these speak of our redemption, our salvation purchased with Jesus’ life. But before he cried out it is finished, he looked down from that throne of agony and there at the foot of the cross, he saw John and three women all named Mary, all that loved him and He loved them, Mary his mother, Mary the mother of John and James and Mary Magdelene.

Before his work on earth is done, Jesus must take care of the Mary who had brought him into this world, raised him, protected him, searched for him when he was lost, and who gently urged him to do his first miracle.

Jesus looks into her broken heart, and sees the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy so long ago. Yes, it was as if a sword was piercing her soul. She had known some of her son’s mission, but probably not this terrible, horrible end. Jesus suffering in agony, his breath being stolen from his lungs as he hangs from the cross, lifts himself up, draws a costly, painful breath and looking to Mary he says, John 19:26-27 Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, to John, Behold thy mother!  John records that from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus, the firstborn child, had the responsibility to taking care of his mother especially sin his earthly father Joseph was gone. He was dying and soon after his resurrection would return to His heavenly father. But his love for his mother and his duty toward her must be fulfilled as well. He gives his mother into the care of John, even while John’s own mother stands beside her. I believe John takes Mary away at that moment and she does not witness the final agonizing moments of her first born child’s death. He takes her home and then returns to record the rest Jesus’ death.

Jesus once again calls her “Woman, not a derogatory term but one of affection, one of honor. Perhaps it is to remind her of that day years ago when she so subtly asked him to help that family that had run out of wine. What they had failed to do, Mary knew Jesus could do. When their worldly wine ran out, Jesus’ miracle wine filled the empty pots.

The first miracle in Cana, gave way to so many other miracles, John says John 21:25 if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. But of all those miracles the greatest miracle was Jesus dying for the sin of all mankind. When Mary looked up at her son, suffering in agony upon the cross of Calvary, she looked up into the face of her own savior. Her blood had given him physical life, but His blood would give her and all who believe in Him eternal life.

Jesus loved his mother, Mary. And we should all our mothers. Love them, cherish them, care for them when they are older and pray for them. All children should do this and God will bless you. But Jesus love Mary in a way that none of us can love our Mother’s, Jesus love for Mary went beyond just providing for her through John, his apostle and cousin. His love for her meant he would die for her and that His death would save her pierced soul. His love for her was also his love for us.

1 John 4:10 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation, the payment, for our sins.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His son.”

Mothers, Fathers, would you know Eternal love?

Yesterday, LeeOra and I along with my sisters when to my mother’s grave in Cooper, Texas. She is there along with my grandparent, and my great-grandparents. She loved me, raised me, taught me, brought me to church and encouraged me to take my first steps as a preacher and pastor.

She put the Lord first in her life and she made sure I put Him first in my life. And what is her reward for all that she did? Is it cold, dark casket buried in the ground and sealed with a vault of concrete. Are flowers place on her grave enough of a reward for all the loves she gave to us and the love she had for her God and Savior? Oh no, that is not her reward. She has a home in heaven right now and one day I will join her there and that love that was nurtured in me as a baby, a child and then directed to my Lord will spring anew. The love she had on earth, the love Mary had on earth will be supplanted, succeeded and surpassed by the eternal love of God.

Conclusion

I’m so glad, I’m so glad, I will see her again. And not just her but all those who as Jesus said are mothers, brother and sisters in Christ. What joy, what happiness, what love awaits us because of Jesus’s love poured out for us on that terrible day as Mary looked on. But her sorrow and terror is gone and now only His unending, unfailing, unfaltering love remains.

Don’t you want that? Don’t we all need that hope, that assurance that this world is not the end of love, the end of family? I couldn’t make it today, if I didn’t believe I would see my mother and my loved ones tomorrow.

Praise God for our mothers and their love and then doubly praise Jesus Christ for the eternal love that awaits us. Are you ready? Are you? Then do what the Spirit of God’s love is moving you to do this morning