
LLLV13 12-17-13
Don’t let the title fool you, this is a practical message. Joseph and Mary were very much alike in one aspect of life temporal and spiritual. Most of us fail to make the connection, but the connection is of enormous import for you and me.
Notice Matthew 1:24, “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”
Joseph has just been visited by the angel of the Lord, given information concerning Mary, and the child yet unborn. Joseph is told he should go against the cultural norm and marry Mary. This was a big deal for him, but His response lets us know that doing God’s will is more important that having the smile of the culture. Peer pressure was not on the table, only God’s known will.
Catch this in Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Mary receives the message from Gabriel and after listening, attests to her full surrender to God’s known will. The handmaid establishes that she took her place as one who gladly takes orders from God, for handmaids live in an “at will” relationship with their master.
How beautiful the Nativity narrative puts forth the importance of joyfully following instructions from God. The common ground is surrender. Husbands and wives can learn from this.
Copyright © 2013 Larry Lilly
For really good IT services check out My Guru:
http://development-resources.com/index.html
Don’t let the title fool you, this is a practical message. Joseph and Mary were very much alike in one aspect of life temporal and spiritual. Most of us fail to make the connection, but the connection is of enormous import for you and me.
Notice Matthew 1:24, “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”
Joseph has just been visited by the angel of the Lord, given information concerning Mary, and the child yet unborn. Joseph is told he should go against the cultural norm and marry Mary. This was a big deal for him, but His response lets us know that doing God’s will is more important that having the smile of the culture. Peer pressure was not on the table, only God’s known will.
Catch this in Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Mary receives the message from Gabriel and after listening, attests to her full surrender to God’s known will. The handmaid establishes that she took her place as one who gladly takes orders from God, for handmaids live in an “at will” relationship with their master.
How beautiful the Nativity narrative puts forth the importance of joyfully following instructions from God. The common ground is surrender. Husbands and wives can learn from this.
Copyright © 2013 Larry Lilly
For really good IT services check out My Guru:
http://development-resources.com/index.html