The Insiders: Mary’s Heart

24 Dec

Throughout the Bible, when we see people being chosen by God for big tasks, we see them hide away and come up with outlandish excuses as to why they cannot do what God calls them to do. Think of Moses and the burning bush, with Moses telling God he has a speech impediment and so cannot do what God calls him to do. Or Saul hiding in the supplies on the day of his anointing. Or Gideon hiding in the threshing floor. The list goes on. When Mary is given the largest task known to man, her response shows something that we have not seen in the Bible until now - an incredible heart. Today we will look at aspects of Mary’s life and learn what about her makes her an insider - someone we can learn from by their interactions and relationship with God.

Scripture

Luke 2:16-20 ESV And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Bible Study Questions

God sees the heart

When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, he tells her, that she has found favour in God’s sight. What does this tell us about Mary?

Luke 1:30-31 ESV And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Samuel 1: 16-17 ESV But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

Favour justified

When we see Mary’s response to the angel, we see why she finds favour with the Lord. How does her response differ from so many people who had been commissioned by God before her?

Luke 1:38 ESV And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Exodus 4:10 ESV But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

1 Samuel 10:21-22 ESV He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. (22) So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

Powered by the Spirit of God

Gabrial told Mary that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, in the hill country, we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in her already. How is this power seen in Mary?

Luke 1:46-55 ESV And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, (47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (48) for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (49) for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (50) And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (51) He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; (52) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; (53) he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, (55) as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 24:45 ESV Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

Divine hardship

With the knowledge and responsibility of carrying the son of God in your womb, you would reason that there would be a life of privilege associated with it. But from her conception, Mary had a life of difficulty. What does this tell us about God?

Luke 2:4-6 ESV And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (6) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Mathew 2:13-15 ESV Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (14) And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt (15) and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Mary’s heart

God chose Mary no doubt because she was righteous and had an incredible heart for God. In the scriptures, we see that Mary had a special heart and she, with the help of the Holy Spirit nurtured her heart. What can we learn from this?

Luke 2:16-19 ESV And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:49-51 ESV And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (50) And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (51) And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The start of the new world

At the wedding feast in Cana, we see Jesus perform His first miracle by turning water into wine. This started His public ministry which turned the world upside down! What does this tell you about God and what does it tell you about Mary?

John 2:1-5 ESV On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. (2) Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. (3) When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” (4) And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (5) His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 14:13-14 ESV Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Exodus 34:6 ESV The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

The full heart copes

As we have seen, Mary had a huge heart for God and having Jesus as her son, she stored up many treasures in her heart. Her heart was so full of love and the Holy Spirit, she was equipped for great calamity. Watching her son being murdered in front of her must have felt like that heart gushing out onto the ground. What does this tell us about Mary and God?

John 19:25-27 ESV but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” (27) Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.