Her Story is Always His Story: 2nd part in the Advent Series.

Every story we read about Mary in God's Holy Word--every story includes Jesus.  He was always a part of her story.  In her heart. In Her womb. In His birth. His childhood--His adulthood--His Holy Work. His death. His resurrection. She was there and her story can’t be told without His story.  And isn’t that the way our stories should be written too?

This is part two of Her Story is always His Story. A four-part Bible study into Mary, mother of Jesus' life. This series is more of a Bible study than a devotional reading and I hope you will read along in your Bible. Take notes. Pray. Ask questions. And as we read and study together over the next few weeks, let us pray God will be glorified first and foremost, and our time in this study will prepare our hearts more deeply for the coming of our greatest gift, Jesus.

The second part in the Advent series of Her Story is always His Story takes us to Bethlehem to a familiar story often referred to as The Christmas Story–Jesus’ Birth. We will learn more about Joseph. And then we will travel to the temple in Jerusalem to present baby Jesus to the Lord–where we will meet Simeon and Anna.  

Joseph

Scripture readings: Matthew 1:16, 18-25. Deuteronomy 22:20-21. 

Here we are, Mary is back from her three month stay at her cousin Elisabeth’s home and Joseph and her are together–and we can’t go any further in the story until we talk about Joseph.  

Joseph’s voice was never recorded in God’s Holy Word–in Jesus’ story.  But his strong presence in the life of the Messiah was undeniable. He was chosen by God as much as Mary to have this important role in God’s Son’s life here on earth. 

In the book of Matthew, Matthew the writer introduces Joseph in Jesus’ family tree–Joseph the husband of Mary, of who was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:16)

Mary was “espoused” to Joseph when she became pregnant with Jesus.  An espousal during this time was a legal binding contract–a formal engagement and according to Biblical scholars, this time period could be years before the marriage would be considered as husband and wife.  If the contract was broken–it would have been a divorcement.  

In the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 22, verses 20-21–under the law Joseph could have chosen to have Mary in the streets. But he chose not to make her a public spectacle–his plan was to put her away privily. (Matthew 1:19). The same verse describe Joseph as a “just man”--a morally right, honorable, righteous, virtuous man. He loved her. 

And then an angel appeared to Joseph.  Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20) 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Matthew 1:24-25)

JESUS’ Birth 

Scripture Readings: Luke 2:1-20. Genesis 29:9. Exodus 2:15–22.

Nine months have passed since the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and Joseph and we find Mary and Joseph traveling together leaving Nazareth. This journey was not a choice–a decree from Ceasar Augustus–a demand–everyone must go back to their own city to pay their taxes.  And that city for Joseph–the little town of Bethlehem. 

And it’s time for Jesus to be born–and we wonder–did either of them have any experience in childbirth? Had they witnessed any of their younger siblings being born in their own homes?  

How in awe were Mary and Joseph seeing the miracle of childbirth–maybe for the first time? God’s child? Hearing His first cry? Holding Him close?  

Imagine giving childbirth in a lowly cave–a barn filled with dampness–animal smells and your baby’s first bed–a feeding trough–a manger.  And His first blanket–swaddling clothes–dirty rags.  

Did Joseph and Mary apologize to God for not having better for His Son? Or were they so amazed and taken back by the miracle itself–the material things were not important–it was the Christ child that was most important–not their lack of–but their abundance!  He was all they needed.  

The shepherds’ visit—this was another miracle in itself!  How God chose the lowliest of  society as Jesus’ first visitors. God sees everyone. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:20)

And just a thought–we know from reading the Old Testament–Moses’ wife Zipporah was a shepherdess–Rachel was a shepherdess–could some of Jesus’ first visitors have been shepherdesses’ too?  Could they have helped Mary after giving childbirth?  

Have you ever had such a wonderful, most blessed day–you say within your heart, ‘I don’t want to forget one minute of this!'

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

And Mary held her thoughts close to her heart–not wanting to forget–remember it always.  We’ll see this again at the temple. 

Presenting Jesus to the Lord at the Temple

Scripture Readings: Luke 2:21-24.

Verse 22, And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; 

Joseph and Mary–they were just a poor young couple with a baby carrying their pigeons–an atonement offer.  And in the temple, this was a common sight. They didn’t stand out–they were unnoticed by those around them. But there were two people worshiping at the temple who took notice! Simeon and Anna.

Baby Jesus was most likely a month old, according to the customs of the law. A woman’s days of purification is referenced in the book of Leviticus 12:1-8

33 days for a male child

36 days for a female child 

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. (Leviticus 12:2-5) 

And the two young pigeons–they were an atonement offering for Mary–Leviticus 12:6-8 and Leviticus 14:21-22. 

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:

Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.

And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.  (Leviticus 12:6-8)

Meeting Simeon

Scripture Readings: Luke 2:25-40.

Simeon was an old man–he was described as Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father–a just man and devout. He was waiting for death. He was waiting for the Messiah.  

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

(Luke 2:25-32).

Picture this–Mary and Joseph’s eyes–their minds.  Here’s this old man–a stranger and he comes to you and takes your newborn out of your arms and begins talking with God and then offers a blessing and words of wisdom, prophecy, and sorrows to come–God gave Mary the greatest of gifts--but the gift didn’t come without sorrow, worry, or pain for a mother’s heart. 

And in verse 33, the writer Luke calls Mary, “His mother”--Jesus’ mother.  Scriptures tell us Joseph and His mother marvelled at what Simeon said–all they were witnessing. Marvel meaning “filled with wonder, in awe, in astonishment”. 

And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 33-35)

Meeting Anna

Scripture Readings: Luke 2:36-40.

Then we meet Anna–she was a widow–she lived in the temple–serving, worshiping–praying day and night.  And the Bible doesn’t give us much details on whether Anna held baby Jesus, but what we do know is this–she came in “an instant”--in a hurry and gave thanks and then went out and told His story of redemption to all who would listen in Jerusalem.  Her story was much like the shepherds–they came "with haste" and left telling everyone “abroad” about the Christ child. (Luke 2:16-18)

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 36-40)

Meeting Jesus will change our lives.  Sharing Jesus will change others lives. 

---

Part three of the Advent series--Her Story is Always His Story, we will study the stories of the Wise Men’s visit, Jesus, as a young boy teaching in the temple and His First Public Miracle–Water into Wine. 

All scripture is from the Kings James Version–a public domain. 

---

And a special note of thanks and a free hand-out for you on the story of Mary! Over the past year, graphic designer Jordan Cheek, owner of High Meadows Marketing has created some beautiful Bible Study Note sheets for my church's Women's Bible study group. Attached below is the PDF worksheet on the study of Mary. It can be downloaded and printed for note-taking. 

mary.pdf

Download PDF • 960KB