PODCAST
Highly Favored?
December 3rd, 2012
Luke 1:26-38
“Highly favored,” the angel said to Mary.
Really?
Mary would have to tell her parents that she was pregnant and that God was the cause! What could she say to her fiancé, Joseph? He was of a mind to start the legal action to “put her away.” And what of the sly snickers of her friends? She would bear a child out of wedlock, punishable by death in Bible times. And, three decades later she would weep as she watched her “Savior Son” tortured and murdered.
Highly favored? Most teenage girls would run away screaming. Gabriel’s announcement was amazing. Even more amazing was Mary’s acceptance. Without Mary’s amazing acceptance would we have ever known of the salvation her crucified and risen Son has brought to us?
Mary was and is highly favored. Christians everywhere adore her, some venerate her. All celebrate her Son, “King of Kings, yet born of Mary” (4th-century Liturgy of St. James).
Highly favored, indeed! Sometimes God’s call may mean trial, misunderstanding, and grief, but like Mary, you will find that “the Lord is with you.” And in the end, it will be worth it all.
Author: Wesley Tracy
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:12 am
Social criticism has to be one of the biggest social downfalls of human society. It is’s not just today. It has been written about since man started recording events. What had to be even more humiliating for Mary is her husband’s & family’s critism. The people we look toward for unconditional love & understanding did not understand or believe her, except Elizabeth. Mary’s decision to follow God’s plan had huge impacts both in her day and everyday since then. While she may have not known the complete picture of her decisionshe was able to look outside of the box and realize the importance of following God’ plan.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:29 am
Often times the trials and tribulations in our life can seem like a road construction. During the time of construction we often gripe and complain because of the detours we have to take to get where we are going. Once the construction is through though we say oh what a difference and can’t belive how much better that road is; or that it’s the same road we use to take. So lets endure what God has planned for us and praise him no matter what.
December 3rd, 2012 at 10:14 am
“And in the end, it will be worth it all.”
Someday, hopefully, we will hear similar words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . .” (Matthew 24:45-51 & Luke 12:42-48)
The master in these parables is “symbolic” to Jesus; and, the servants are symbolic to those claiming to know Jesus. Instead of serving Him (thru the service and witness to others), they eat & drink (swallow) the wrong spirit of the world. They beat (abuse) their co-workers (other servants) with criticism rather than words of encouragement.
*In Luke 8:10, the knowledge (to the secrets of the Kingdom of God) is in the parables.
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Pam, road construction is a great analogy.