23 December 2007—Advent 4—Mary, Did You Know?

focusPoints:

There is a Christmas song written in recent years that asks a poignant question, "Mary, Did You Know?" Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene have composed this beautiful, contemporary song that poses this question.What did Mary know and understand? What did she not understand about Jesus? Certainly there were some things that Mary knew. What were they?

1—Mary knew that God uses humble folks, humble people for mighty purposes. (Luke 1:26)
2—Mary knew that she was a virgin. (Luke 1:27, 34)
3—Mary knew that her son would be the promised Messiah. (Luke 1:31-33)
4—Mary knew that the name of her baby would be Jesus and He would save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

(Fookes: Stockwell UMC Worship Message, 23 December 2007)

forwardPoints:

There were some things Mary did not understand or know? What were they?

1—Mary did not know what Jesus' life would be like. (Mark 3:21)
2—Mary did not understand how He would have to die. (Luke 2:34-35)

(Fookes: Stockwell UMC Worship Message, 23 December 2007)

fellowshipPoints:

Above all, we see willingness in Mary's life to be obedient to God's call to her to be used for a special purpose. Her words are forever a model for us when she said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

findingPoints:

Robert Morris in Provocative Grace notes that how we react to the stranger - to someone alien to us - fundamentally tests our humanity. It's natural for the stranger - and for strange customs, cultures, and ideas - to evoke suspicion. Because the unknown may contain hidden danger, our urge to investigate the stranger is a necessity, not a flaw in our character. We rightly tell our children not to go off with strangers. But fear of the unknown may intensify beyond reason into the blind revulsion and rejection of xenophobia.

On the other hand, the very same strangeness may not only pique our interest but blossom into xenophilia - an intrigued fascinated love of that which is different. Both xenophobia and xenophilia are parts of our survival equipment. Xenophilia inspires fascination with the new and different. It invites us to encounter strangers with an initially positive, inquiring interest rather than knee-jerk suspicion. Intriguing strangers become doorways into new aspects of the human experience, valued expansions of our sense of the world.

Fookes illustrates how different Mary was—self actualized. Morris notes that our reaction to people who are different can take two very different paths fear (avoidance) and faith (curiosity). Considering those theses:

Do we risk the avoidance of others to live the mission to which God is calling us?





Do we know the impediments God will (need to) remove from us when we are in the center of His will?





Do we know the outcomes of our obedience? Or, is what we’re doing now (all the time) making disciples?





In what ways do/can we emulate Mary’s life of preparedness, inquisitiveness, and obedience?






faithPoints:

Saul/Paul was blinded before he was obedient. Jonah spent time in a fish before he was obedient. Mary simply asked “how can this be” and received the Holy Spirit’s assurance before she was obedient. In what ways can we move from Saul/Paul and Jonah follow Mary’s example when God asks something beyond that which we know how to do now?