Mary

Mary’s Treasure

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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Luke 2:19 NIV

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I fumed in frustration as we sat on the tarmac awaiting clearance for take-off. I could see from my window two mechanics working on the jet engine hanging from the wing on my side of the plane. It wasn’t just the forty-five minutes of waiting that bothered me but also the worry of missing our connecting flight and the feeling of things being out of control in my life.

As Mary pulled the blankets up around her hoping to get some sleep while Jesus dozed in the manger on that first Christmas night, we would certainly have understood if she had felt that way too. After all, she had just traveled 90 miles by donkey while being nine months pregnant. Then, after they arrived in Bethlehem no one had any room for them to stay, so she was forced to give birth in a stable. Finally, just as her newborn baby had settled down and to sleep, a crowd of shepherds stampeded in and began singing and shouting something about angels. Wow what a night! Maybe some of us would have just simply broken down in tears at that point. But the Bible tells us that instead, Mary took time to think about all those things which, were entirely beyond her control. Then instead of complaining, she treasured them in her heart. Mary remembered that everything that had happened that night was because God had promised her a miracle child and on that day she had said, “May it be according to your word.” She knew that even though she wasn’t in control: God was. She knew that regardless of what things looked like from the outside; God was working everything for good. By the way, we had a safe flight; our plane still landed right on time and God taught me that every day is a treasure when we trust in His control.

Mary’s Treasure by Peter Caligiuri 2020 All rights reserved

Mary’s Assurance

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Though most of us are still trying to figure out what to do with all that turkey, tomorrow is officially the first day of Advent. I’ve been holding back on those Christmas stories and carols until now but today I offer to you my first Christmas devotional of 2020. God bless you and if you are interested you can find the entire collection over on Amazon under the title – Whatever Happened to Christmas? by Peter Caligiuri.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called Holy – the Son of God. Luke 1:35 ESV

Often, we hesitate to ask God questions because we’re afraid, He’ll be angry. But if anyone had a right to question God about His plans, Mary certainly tops that list. When Gabriel announced to her that she was going to have a baby Mary didn’t jump up and down for joy. Instead she questioned, “How can this happen?” and then she filled God in on some intimate details by adding; “I have not known a man.” (God I’ve been good!).

But instead of God shooting off some thunderbolts or refusing to answer He gladly shared exactly how things would go down. That gives the rest of us great hope as we wrestle with our own worries. Whether our questions are about social justice, the spread of Corona virus or our own physical ailments God invites us to ask them. He is not upset when we come to Him with our doubts; instead, He delights to show us His answers. He knows our fears and He is saying, “I’ve got this! Life is uncertain, but My promises are not!” So, this Christmas if we will just trust Him as Mary did then we can know that whatever God sends us comes from Heaven, and just like Mary we will one day see the face of Jesus Christ.

Listening or Hearing?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus. John 12:1-3

Many years ago as we sat through an average Sunday service our pastor began to preach about the cross. First he described the terrible beating that Jesus received and then how the crown of thorns was pressed down on his head. “Next they took the nails” pastor went on, “And they drove them through His hands.” While we adults who had heard this message many times sat quietly; suddenly the stillness in the sanctuary was pierced by a tiny voice. “EEEW!” a little girl in the back cried out. The rest of us had heard the message. But in God’s eyes she was the only person actually listening to the message!

In our scripture passage today it seems that just like that little girl; only Mary seemed to be listening. Only she understood that Jesus would not be with them much longer. Jesus had told them many times that He was going to Jerusalem to die. But Mary who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet listening did something to give Jesus her best blessing while she still had time. Others people were celebrating and relaxing at the supper but Mary poured out her alabaster box of perfumed oil on the Master’s feet. Everybody listens to someone. Who you are listening to today? Filling the room we are in with the fragrance of the presence of Christ all depends on listening and then acting on the words of Jesus Christ!