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Women in the Bible
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Lesson Thirty-Three: by turtle30c
As we continue are study on women we will continue looking at the mother of Jesus. How she long to spend time with her son, but there was always a crowd around. How hard it is for any parent to give up that time with a child. A child grows up. A child spends time with friends. A child spends more time at work then with family. It is a normal course of things. How many times when one is working that family comes in and you don’t have time for them. Some jobs allow you to take time to talk to your family and others there is no time in which to talk to your family. In the next several passages we will look at Christ not taking time to talk to his immediately family. It is not a rejection of his family, but stating of fact of who his family is in the spiritual sense. This is actually one of the few times Mary the mother of Jesus is mentioned in the the New Testament.
Matthew 12:46-50 KJV (46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. (48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Mark 3:31-35 KJV (31) 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.
Luke 8:19-21 KJV (19) Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. (20) And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. (21) And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all seem to have the same wording for this blessed event. Mary the mother of Jesus and Jesus’ brothers came to see Him. Yet when people look at this event you might think Jesus was shunning his family. No he was declaring something to those listening. He was paying honor to his mother and siblings. We must remember Mary words when the angel spoke to her.
Luke 1:38 KJV (38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary fully yielded to the word of God spoken by the angel, before Jesus was ever born. Her purpose was to have the only begotten Son of God and to raise Him up. She completely surrender to God and her purpose for her life. Christ point is that we to need to be willing to surrender our life to Him. A total commitment of service. Mary task would be a task that would lead to a painful time for her. Yet her pain was short lived. No doubt at the cross Mary grief would be great.
John 19:25-27 KJV (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.
On the cross Jesus will tell John his disciple that Mary is now his mother and Mary is to take John the disciple as her son. True they were not blood kin by birth. Yet John duty to Mary would be to care for her through out her remaining years. Mary would care for John as a son.
Have you missed the point of both passage illustrations. It is easy to miss. The church, the bride of Christ, is the family of God. When we care for one another in the church world to lay our own life down for our brethren. To love so much to care for the needs of one another. Then we are truly blessed. Christ desired us to be one as He and the Father was one.
John 17:11 KJV (11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
God the Father would send a comforter for you and me to dwell in us so we are never alone in this life.
John 14:16-20 KJV (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
God gave us a Christian family, the family of God who the Holy Spirit indwells in us. Yes if you are born again you are special to God and to his family. Some might not think so, but you are. It is the one place you should belong. Yet often we find the church world not so, why because like every family there is always some bickering, some arguing, and even some disagreement. That is life. But it does not change who you are in Christ and that is part of the family of God, joint heirs with Jesus.
Galatians 4:1-7 KJV (1) Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; (2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. (3) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
I really feel like eating my own words I am about to say. Why because I have nto always been in fellowship. We need fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to love. We need to show our love to one another. Understand the church world at times seems hypocritical. It is true. We often are better at preaching then living it. Yet we are after all striving to be all that God wants us to be. That all God ask from us. To be all that He desires us to be, allowing Him to change and move in our life. Not trying so much to do the changing on our own, but yielding to God and allowing Him to change our hearts. Find you a group you can meet with that you can grow in Christ. Its hard, but if you love God you will love the church people.
Does Mary story in there. No for God’s son raises from the dead. He rose so we could have victory over the grave. We will see Mary one last time in scripture and this will be in the upper room waiting for the Holy Spirit to come.
Acts 1:13-14 KJV (13) And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. (14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Will you at least try to be part of a local church, can’t get out. Some churches have a shut in ministry. You will have to look for one in your area through the phone book. If the church you call does not have a program ask if their is a church they know of with a program. Most churches that reach out do have visitation they will do. If you have family or friends that attends church ask them to send their pastor to see you. Many pastor will know of someone that will help with a home Bible study. Some churches if you are able to leave the home will provide a ride for you. Do not be discouraged if someone tells you no, pray that God will send you to the right people.
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