Have you ever had to explain yourself to someone who didn’t believe you? Though you were innocent of all accusations leveled at you, no one would believe your explanation. It is not difficult to understand the predicament Mary was in, once she consented to Gabriel’s announcement that she would bring Christ to the world. Can you visualize what Mary’s friends thought when she returned from her three-month stay with Elizabeth? What was her family’s reaction, and what about Joseph? The fact is Mary put everything on the line—her hopes for the future, her reputation—in fact all her relationships were affected by her choice to receive the life of Jesus within her.
This life was received not from any man through sexual intercourse; she didn’t receive Jesus through her own desire and determination to achieve as though it were her goal to work toward; nor did she receive Jesus’ life by the power of authority given to men, that is, it wasn’t through the decision of someone more powerful than Mary, such as her father, Joseph, a priest or a king. It was done by the power of God alone (John 1:13), and such a decision brings offense with it. Mary knew for a fact that she was obedient to God, yet all who knew her didn’t understand. Those who didn’t consider the Scriptures were offended in her. Why? It is simply because her pregnancy revealed the Life (Jesus) within, and this is an offense to the world. As it was with Mary, so it is with us, today. If Jesus is seen in our lives, the world is offended and would rather if we were more like they are. Peter addresses this offense in his first epistle:
1 Peter 2:7-8 KJV Unto you therefore which believe he (Jesus) is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. [parenthesis and emphasis—mine]
When we bring the Gospel of Jesus to the world, we need to learn to expect opposition. Why? It is because people are offended in us—or more properly, Jesus within us, the hope of the world. As Mary was commissioned to bring Christ into the world, so are we. The world cannot come to him through physical means, whether through the right of ancestry (honorable descent), the power of achievement or the might of great human authority. The world’s hope lies with us, our obedience to let Christ show in our lives—similar to how his life began to show in Mary’s pregnancy. As this brought offense to her, bringing Jesus to the world brings offense to us. There is a cost for obedience, and we need to realize that as Mary did. Yet, the responsibility of change lies not with us but with God. Mary depended upon God both for the change in her and the change in others. Eventually, God restored Joseph to her, and she was enabled to face the antagonism of the world. As with Mary, so it is with us. There is, indeed, a price to pay to bring Jesus to the world, and it all begins with: “Behold the bondservant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your (the Lord’s) word”?
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6 responses to “The Price of Obedience”
Have you ever asked yourself why you believe any of this is true? If you had been raised in India, you’d be Hindu and would not believe this at all. China? Perhaps a Buddhist and you wouldn’t believe this at all.
Consider on what basis you believe that the Creator of the Universe impregnanted a Jewish woman in the Middle East with ghost sperm. Because it was written on some parchment a few thousand years ago. No other proof at all. How did the men who wrote it know it happened? An angel told them. Think my friend, think.
Have you ever asked yourself why you believe any of this is true?
As a matter of fact I have.
If you had been raised in India, you’d be Hindu and would not believe this at all. China? Perhaps a Buddhist and you wouldn’t believe this at all.
This is mere supposition. There are Christians in India and in China. I’ve heard these arguments before. Have you ever considered the arguments you parrot off as the wisdom of this age?
Consider on what basis you believe that the Creator of the Universe impregnanted a Jewish woman in the Middle East with ghost sperm.
Actually, you have the Biblical account mixed up with pagan myths here. There was no sexual act between her and God before, during or after Mary’s impregnation.
Because it was written on some parchment a few thousand years ago. No other proof at all.
On the contrary, there is plenty of objective proof available for anyone who wishes to consider the Biblical record. On the other hand, all you have is subjective opinion for your understanding.
How did the men who wrote it know it happened? An angel told them. Think my friend, think.
I have thought it over—many times, for my own consideration and through challenges of people like yourself on various discussion boards. Do you honestly believe you are the first to doubt the Biblical narratives?
Thank you for stopping by to read and especially for taking the time to comment.
Kendrick, if I may butt in here.
For the first 22 years of my life I didn’t question anything and I didn’t know whether or not there was a God. However, my life changed completely when I was 22 and for the last 52 years I have known, loved and served the Creator God, my loving heavenly Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have I ever doubted Him? NEVER! Not for one moment. Why? Because He is just as real to me as is my husband, my five sons and anyone else I know. I EXPERIENCE the living reality of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in my life on a constant basis. How could I possibly doubt Someone who continues to do so much for me and undertakes for me in numerous ways each day? It would be easier to doubt my own being than to doubt Him.
I know I cannot convince you of the existence of God or the reality of Jesus Christ, but you cannot deny my experience. Jesus is alive.
I was a Roman Catholic, about to become a nun when I became a Christian. At first I shunned anything about Mary but it wasn’t long before I realised what a truly remarkable woman she was and what a difficult choice she made. She would have faced enormous problems and is a great example to us.
I like the way you compare her revelation of the life of Jesus and the way we present Him today – and the offence we can expect. Jesus is an offence and a stumblingblock for a number of reasons, but a prime one is that recognition of Who He is brings about an accountability – and people do not want to be accountable. People want to run their own lives.
While we EXPECT opposition we can also expect God to work because this is the way He has chosen to work. If we all allowed the life of Jesus to shone through us, reflecting a true image of Him, His work would be so much easier.
Thanks for the challenge.
Thank you for your short testimony and your kind remarks. It took awhile for me, as well, to see what a remarkable woman Mary truly was. I began to see this idea years ago after a sermon my pastor preached. From then on I have searched the Scriptures where she is mentioned for implications of how Christ is seen in and through us in this world. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to share a few thoughts of your own.
Lord bless,
Eddie