Mary learned that even though she had a unique and special relationship with Jesus, her place in his kingdom was made possible in the same way it was going to be made possible for everyone else. Mary teaches us that while we might all have a uniquely defined relationship with Jesus, what he expects from all of us is the same.

Mark 3:35 35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Like most mothers, Mary undoubtedly loved her son passionately and without condition. However, as we read about Mary and her relationship with Jesus, we see that she, at times, struggled with separating the boy she raised and nurtured from the man who was her Savior.

What we see in the scripture is an unfolding of who Jesus really is, a revealing of his true nature, as Mary walked the journey of faith God had placed her on.

Luke 2:49-50 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Without Mary the depth and context of much of Jesus’ ministry, especially in relationship to the temple, is lost.

In a way, Mary does what every disciple should, she points us to Jesus and has us go on an unexpectedly deep journey with him.

A journey where, in the end, we come into the presence of our Lord.

Luke 2:48-49 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

Today we are going to be looking at what the Gospel of Matthew has to say about Mary.

Most of what we know about Joseph is from Matthew’s Gospel.

Let’s look!

Matthew 1:20 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

In Luke, Mary is portrayed as a kind of proto disciple. She displays the characteristics of someone who will be given the title of “disciple” before any of “the twelve” were ever chosen. So, what can we learn about discipleship from Mary?

Luke 2:34-35 "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Today we are looking at the life of Mary. We are only looking at what is said about her in the Bible, which is plenty. Mary is often thought of as passive but the way she is presented in the Bible is not as a passive person, but rather an obedient person. This obedience required Mary to be brave, to have faith, and be willing to walk a difficult road for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Luke 1:38 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

We are soon going to have a sermon series on the life of Mary. Today we are going to look into a story which is only found in Luke which concerns a cousin of Mary’s, and that is Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah.

The book of Joel ends with God’s judgment. In the ‘valley of decision’, God will pay back each person what they deserve based on their life. The only way that we can protect ourselves from that is to seek refuge in God’s stronghold through trusting in Jesus Christ.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

Last week we looked at the fact God will do what it takes to get our attention when sin is in our lives.

Today we are going to look at what God wants us to do – repent.

Joel 2:13 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Do you think it is outside the loving, parental, character of God to inflict pain on a “child” who is being disobedient? How you answer this question will say a lot about being able to see affliction as judgement and God trying to get your attention when there is unrepentant sin in your life. What does the Bible say?

Joel 1:13 13 Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.