Dec.
08, 2014 Monday Message:
Last
week we talked about John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry,
and the value of advance preparation.
Mary
too had been prepared for what was about to take place. The angel Gabriel told
her that she would have a son named Jesus who will be called, “Son of the Most
High, and like David he will reign as King of Israel, and his kingdom will
never end.” Wow! from
Luke 1:31-33 CEV
Mary
was somewhat confused: “How can this happen? I am not married!”
Gabriel
explained God’s power, the power of the Holy Spirit, and told her that her
child will be called the Holy Son of God!
Mary
agreed, saying, “I am here to serve the Lord.” She was now prepared for all
that would happen, and therefore played her role perfectly when it was time.
This
is a great story, but I have to ask: What if she had NOT been properly
prepared? What if she just turned up pregnant one day?
An
unwed pregnant woman would be an embarrassment to her family, estranged from
her fiancé, and could be stoned by her community.
But
Mary had been prepared – she knew the inside story of what was about to happen.
It took another angel to bring Joseph around. But then Mary and Joseph in turn prepared
their close family and friends for what was about to take place, as the
prophesy of Isaiah was being fulfilled: “The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel – God is with us!” Isaiah 7:14b NIV
“Jesus”
means “The Lord saves!”
Norton
Lawellin
Every
Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end
(gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This
week, Dec. 14, we welcome all as Pastor Michael Pilla continues our Advent
journey.
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