Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 210

July 28;   Matthew 1:18;   1/260(II);   ‘Mary’s Incredible Faith’

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:26-38 gives us the details concerning Mary and the angel Gabriel appearing to her and telling her the startling truth that she was chosen by God the Father to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Mary asked a reasonable question, “how could this happen since I have never been intimate with a man?”  Gabriel answered Mary by telling her that the power of the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive the Lord Jesus.  Once she understood, Mary declared the she was the servant of the Lord and she believed that what Gabriel told her would come to pass.  Mary was not divine, as some religious groups teach.  Once the Lord Jesus was born, Mary had several children with her husband Joseph (Mark 6:3).  Though Mary was not divine, the astounding truth about her was her faith.  How many would believe and accept what Gabriel shared with Mary?  God the Father saw that this dear teenage woman, had the great faith to believe and receive the miracle birth of the Lord Jesus.  Think about that, the Lord knows each of us intimately, even the degree of faith we have in Him.  Mary had to know the ridicule and persecution she would face concerning the unique circumstances of her pregnancy.  How many would know what happened or believe it?  When you choose to obey the Lord, regardless of what He tells you to do, some will not understand and come against you.  The Lord dealt with Joseph in a dream, explaining to him the truth about the miraculous pregnancy.  Joseph too would face scorn from religious and legalistic neighbors. Jesus’ parents had courage and faith.