Lessons
For Christian Ladies
This
Series Of Lessons Was Taught By
Mrs.
James Modlish
Wanted:
A Mother For The Saviour Of The World
Introduction:
All of
us have looked over the classifieds in regard to
employment notices; we have seen job descriptions at the
workplace. What if a job description was written for the
position of "mother of the Saviour of the world?"
Obviously,
the most well-known qualification was that she be a
virgin, but further inspection shows us there was much
more involved. If God had wanted just a virgin, I am
certain there were plenty available. However, He wanted
more for the mother of His Son. Let's examine what that
was.
I. Must be
ready for unexpected company - (Lk. 1:26-29)
A.
Are you prepared for a visit for a visit from an angel of
God?
B.
Mary is troubled not by his presence but by his saying.
She surely must have wondered what this was leading up
to, but she said nothing. What a refreshing change for a
woman!
II. Must
believe the unbelievable - (Lk. 1:30-38)
A.
The first question Mary raises is in regard to the
conception of this child,
but she
doesn't question the explanation.
B.
Furthermore, in (vs. 35), this "holy thing" will be
called, unbelievably,
the Son
of God.
III. Must be
willing to give God the glory - (Lk. 1:46-55)
A.
In all generations this has been difficult to do.
Professor S. F. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, gave
credit for his ingenious invention to
God. The
first phrase sent over the telegraph: "What hath God
wrought!"
B.
Mary very wisely doesn't beat her own drum or applaud
herself. God
receives
all the glory in this event.
IV. Must be
capable of keeping private things to herself - (Lk.
2:19)
A. Foreign concept in today's "tell-all" society. Mary
didn't appear on
"Oprah"
and tell her whole life's story! (Prov. 11:22) says, "As
a jewel of
gold in
a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without
discretion."
B.
Mary - the ultimate example of discretion.
V. Must have
a realistic opinion of herself - (Lk. 1:48)
"Be
yourself"
is about the
worst
advise you can give to some people.
A.
She readily recognized her position in relation to God
and the great honor
He was
bestowing on her.
B.
Never does Mary indicate she expects to be an object of
worship - just
a tool of service in God's plan.
VI. Must be
willing to take a subordinate role when it is time -
(Matt. 12:46-48)
A.
All mothers reach a point in their children's lives when
they have to retreat and allow their children to become
responsible adults.
B.
This was even more accentuated in Mary's life since her
Son was preparing to begin a public ministry and
preparing for the cross.
VII. Must be
willing to give Son up to die for the sins of the mankind
- (Jn. 19:25-27)
A.
All that Mary had experienced from the beginning of
Gabriel's message
through
the next 33 years had led her on an unalterable path to
this end.
B. He
wasn't born to be a joy to her, which I am sure He was.
He wasn't born
to give
her pride at His accomplishments, which He did. He wasn't
born to
care for her in her old age... he relegated that
responsibility to John. He
was born
to die for her sins... and ours.
Conclusion:
If it
was difficult to fulfill this "job description" 2000
years ago, how much more impossible would it be today?
How many of these criteria could any of us meet? What a
woman Mary was!
Mary, did
you know that your baby boy was God's precious gift to
mankind? I think she did.
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