Luke

46 "My soul glorifies the Lord47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

      holy is his name.

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

I was a woman who did what God wanted.

My husband thought I was unfaithful.

In all that happened, my husband stayed with me.

God sent me a messenger.

My pregnancy was called a wonder.

I felt blessed by God.

The things said about my son really touched me.

I was foretold tragedy.

I experienced tragedy.

You Know My NameIn English:

Mary

In Hebrew:

Miryam

Meaning:

“Rebellion”

Luke 2.22-24, 39I was a woman who did what God wanted.

22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"[Ex. 13.2,12]), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."[Le. 12.8]

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

Matthew 1.18-19My husband thought I was unfaithful.

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1.20, 24-25In all that happened, my husband stayed with me.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because

what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 1.26-28God sent me a messenger.

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Luke 1.30-31, 34-35, 37My pregnancy was called a wonder.

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. … 37For nothing is impossible with God."

Luke 1.46-49I felt blessed by God.

46 And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

      holy is his name.

Blessed:

Esteemed as Fortunate; Happy (Strong’s)

Luke 2.17-19I was amazed at things people said about my son.

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Consider:

That nine months earlier an Angel visited her

She had nine months to contemplate

And has not yet heard Simeon’s statement

Luke 2.28-33I was amazed at things people said about my son.

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised

you now dismiss your servant in peace.30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and

for glory to your people Israel."

33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Mary WasGod-Fearing

Upright and MoralA Virgin at Conception

A Faithful WifeAn Excellent Mother

Mindful about Her Son

Blessed by God

Experienced with Tragedy

Luke 2.33-35I was foretold tragedy.

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

John 19.25-27I experienced tragedy.

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."

From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Luke 1.46-49I felt blessed by God.

46 And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

      holy is his name.

Blessed: Esteemed as Fortunate; Happy

Mary (Miryam): Rebellion

Motherhood

The mother loves her child most divinely,

not when she surrounds him

with comfort and anticipates his wants,

but when she resolutely

holds him to the highest standards and

is content with nothing less than his best.

Endnotes

Lesson: Who Am I? I’m Mary.

Series: 2 of 3 Presentations keeping with the spirit of the season

Presented: December 13, 2009

Author: Raymond Harris www.raymondharris.com

All Scripture Quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version; used from www.biblegateway.com.

Mary’s (Miryam’s) name means “Rebellion” Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions, Strong’s Number H4813, e-Sword version 8.0.6.

Blessed, “Esteemed as fortunate; happy.” Strong’s Number G3106; Strong’s Greek Definitions, e-Sword version 8.0.6.

“Motherhood” an untitled poem by Hamilton Wright Mabie (American writer, 1845-1916).