Since the first Sunday of Advent, we at the MUMC (and many others) have been traveling together on a spiritual journey that has been taking us from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We have been reading Scripture in conjunction with the study entitled "The Journey" by Adam Hamilton from the Church of the Resurrection, that challenges us to take a fresh look at Joseph and Mary and the circumstances that they faced as they were chosen by God to be the earthly parents of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. As we have taken a closer look at the culture and the context of the day, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the material. It has been enlightening, challenging, convicting, and reassuring to say the least. I don't know about you, but this has probably been one of the best Advent studies and sermon series I've ever been a part of. For those of you who have been on the same journey, I hope you can say the same. Take a moment to ponder upon the following questions or thoughts:
- How many people would be upset if we held an"historically correct" Christmas pageant?
- Did you grow up in a town more like Nazareth or Sepphoris? What difference did that make with regards to the way you relate to Mary and/or Joseph?
- Did Mary really want to be Mary?
- Did Joseph really want to be Joseph?
- Do you think they had a choice?
- Coincidence that the root meaning for Nazereth means branch? That Mary would have drawn living water from the well in Nazareth and Jesus offered "living water"? That Bethlehem means "house of bread" and Jesus was known as the bread of life?
- Can anything good come from Nazareth? Bethlehem?
- Dreams, dreams, dreams - ask Mary, ask Joseph! What about your dreams? Does God speak to you in dreams?
- What do you think Jesus learned from Mary and Joseph while he was growing up in their home?
- Do you really believe "Emmanuel", God is with us? Especially when you find yourself on a most difficult journey? Sometimes we can just get mad or blame God and forget that God really "is with us".
- Contrast King Herod with Joseph - "Here I am God, notice me" as opposed to "Here I am Lord, use me".
- Mary needed Elizabeth just as much as Elizabeth needed Mary. Think about that.
- Can you imagine the stories that were shared when the pregnant Mary and Elizabeth sat down the first night after Mary arrived?
- A huge difference between having joy and being happy!
- No room in the "inn"? Do a word study on "inn" and see what you find.
- Do you suppose Mary wanted to take the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem knowing she was soon to give birth? We all take unwanted journeys. Let us not forget "Emmanuel"!!!!!
Keep moving forward. We're in this thing together!
3 comments:
I grew up in a town more like Nazareth. Several people had earned enough money to live comfortably, but nobody was "rich". Everyone worked. Adversity of all kinds were known, but most folks were determined to get through them, mostly with God's help. There were few secrets. When someone needed help, there was usually a lot of quiet activity in the neighborhood. when I moved to the "big city" I encountered people with the attitude that adversity should not happen "here" as if money or fame should insulate them from that. I think the Pharisees thought somewhat like that.
If God told us most or all of the details in His plans for us, would we still "sign up" for God's plan? I'm thankful it is revealed a little at a time! Otherwise, I would have done the "Adam thing" and tried to find someplace to hide!
The Zondervan Bible dictionary says that Beth-hakkerem, believed to be an older name for Ein Karem, means "house of the vineyard". So we have Beth-lehem "house of bread" and the house of the vineyard, Elizabeth's hometown. Bread and wine ... where have we heard about that before ...?!
I did feel compelled to make the admonsihment in Sunday School that we should not (I believe) equate the Magnificat with Karl M's false utopia (fatal to millions and nearly kills Christianity). I think Joseph and Mary would more likely have looked at Herod, the Romans and some bad people in the temple as examples of those who should be brought down. True, Jesus told about some very bad rich people, but he never said being rich was a sin; it just made faith in God more difficult. As Rec. Hamilton wrote, most of we Americans are in the world's top 5%!
I like Rec. Hamilton's "thirds" by age range to promote mentoring.
One more:
I really should save my responses and let them simmer for 24 hrs before posting! Most of this one simmered a day.
Another “ponderable” that hit me (Ouch!) in last week’s lesson was Elizabeth’s reaction to Mary’s surprise visit in stark contrast with what was not mentioned. Jesus might have been barely 2 weeks in Mary’s womb, but Elizabeth, by the Holy Spirit, KNEW that Mary was pregnant and that the baby was the LORD. Thirty or so years later, the Holy Spirit would reveal that to Peter.
What was not mentioned? The reaction, if any, of others in the groups Mary travelled with to Ein Karem, and three months later, back to Nazareth. No mention that anyone in either group noticed the presence of the LORD! We need to be careful because that might not have fit Luke’s narrative. Also, God might have concealed his presence so nobody would notice until the right time, person and circumstance.
A third possibility is that NOBODY in either group was open to recognize the presence of the Living God right there with them! How awful is that? Luke goes on to tell us of many who refused Jesus and His Good News, so we know there was a goodly supply of such people. There still are! I have talked with a few over the years that refused to consider that Jesus is either Savior or Lord. All I can do is pray that they will recognize God, turn around and be saved.
Other comments on points you mentioned:
Mary & Elizabeth sharing stories. Poor old Zechariah would not have been able to get a word in “edgewise”! He could not speak!
Here is my count of Mary’s unwanted journeys, most of them shared with Joseph (and no frequent donkey miles vouchers!):
1. Nazareth to Ein Karem to visit Elizabeth
2. Return to Nazareth for the formal wedding
3. Back to Bethlehem (at 8.5 months!) to give birth
4. The Flight to Egypt
5. The return to Nazareth
6. To Jerusalem some time during Jesus’ ministry, perhaps as people abandoned Him
7. Following her favorite son to Golgotha to see Him crucified
No, there is no way that Mary would have wanted to “be Mary”! And yet, after the Resurrection and Pentecost, I do not think she would have missed “being Mary” for all of the world.
This week I have been thinking about the relationships in Joseph's family. there are many details we do not know, so we have to be careful about making assumptions because they could be incorrect.
We are journeying together, so I decided it would be good to "personalize" my thoughts so that the reader is in the story.
Something beyond your control happened, and an impromptu family reunion is happening. Among the family members arriving is your son and his wife, who is about to deliver a grandchild! This sounds like a joyous occasion, but there are some questions about the child's father and they had a "hurry up" wedding. they finally arrive, perhaps being the last ones to show up, given the travel challenges of your daughter-in-law. The house is full! Really full!
Do you...
a) Welcome them because they are still family, and God knows, every family has some problems. It is "late:30" so they will have to sleep in the basement tonight.
b) Respond like, "Yes, your are family, technically, but you know you are the 'black sheep'. besides, it is really late and we have relatives bedded down everywhere someone can possibly sleep! I'm sorry, but you can sleep in the barn or try the neighbors."
c) Some worse reply like "You?! You really think ...?" (door slams shut)
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