Rev. David Holwick ZP
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
December 15, 1991
Luke 1:28-38,46-55
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I. Mary as an issue of dispute.
A. Discussion with Baptist and Catholic youth groups.
"How do you emphasize the Virgin Mary?"
"We don't put much emphasis on her at all."
(Catholic priest visibly shaken by answer.)
B. Feast or famine.
1) Catholics build churches to Mary, parade her down streets,
put concrete statues of her in their gardens, and even
pray to her.
a) A Catholic sect in Rome has put her on a cross, and
teaches her sufferings in some sense save us.
2) Protestants give her so little mention you might think they
erased her from the Bible.
C. Mary is a very significant person in the New Testament.
1) She was a simple person, like us. Very poor.
2) She was a woman of great faith.
a) Even when she didn't understand everything.
3) She never gave up on her Son.
4) It is proper to honor and imitate her, but not worship her.
II. Mary's faith was genuine.
A. God chose a humble vessel.
1) "Hail, Mary, full of grace!" Luke 1:28
a) Catholic dogma - a specific amount of grace is necessary
to get to heaven, and Mary has extra to pass out.
b) Original meaning - Mary received a blessing from God by
being chosen at his initiative.
1> There is no suggestion of any particular worthiness
on the part of Mary herself.
2> Mary doesn't have grace to bestow on others.
3> She is blessed because she believed God. 1:45
2) Mary says "yes" instantly. 1:38
a) She portrays herself as a servant of God.
b) God's will is her only concern.
3) Mary responds with a song of praise (the Magnificat). 1:46-55
a) Her personal praise to God.
1> Total focus on what God has done.
2> Note reference to "Savior." 1:47
b) God's larger purposes in shaping human history & Israel.
B. Reality check: Mary faced humiliation of irregular birth.
1) Jewish attitudes toward engagement.
a) Engagement lasted about one year.
b) If fianc died, you were considered a widow.
c) Could only be broken by divorce.
d) Any sexual relationship during engagement was considered
adultery, and could be punished by death.
2) It is difficult in a sexually casual age to realize what
depth of trust Mary displayed.
a) Her pregnancy would have exposed her to great
embarrassment, suspicion and misunderstanding.
b) This was a threat to everything she held dear on earth -
her honor and respect in the community, and her
betrothed husband.
c) (Joseph's immediate reaction was to divorce her.)
III. Mary's faith was tested.
A. Simeon prophesied her soul would be pierced with a sword. Lk 2:35
B. Wedding at Cana reveals her motherly concern. John 2:1
1) Jesus seems to distance himself from her concern and from her.
"Why involve me?" he asks, and it sounds like a rebuke. 2:4
2) Jesus repudiated any special, motherly right for her to put
demands on him.
3) Nevertheless, she tells servants to obey his every
command, then shifts to background.
C. Her "rescue" of Jesus when he was overwhelmed by crowds.
Mark 3:20f; 3:31-35
1) She was concerned about his health.
a) Jesus seems to say she is not concerned about God's will.
2) Physical relationship to Jesus does not confer blessing,
but obedience to God's message.
3) To Protestants, this is clear warning against any veneration
of Mary based upon her physical motherhood of Jesus.
IV. Mary's faith endured to the end.
A. Mary was at the cross. John 19:25
1) Mary was never driven away from her son.
a) In the end, he had to give her away (to John).
2) She watched him die for her sins.
B. Mary participated in Pentecost. Acts 1:14
1) Her other sons were now believers.
2) They received the gift of the Holy Spirit, as do all
Christians.
V. How much faith do you have in God?
A. Your faith is revealed by your response to his Word.
B. Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to save you?
C. Are you willing to let him direct your life, no matter where
it leads?
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