I’ve tried to find whatever I can in scripture with regard to Mary. I cannot find where Jesus exalted her, nor his disciples. This is what I find: Aside from the encounter with the angels who told Mary that she was with child. ***** While still a boy, at the age of twelve, the following dialogue occurred between Jesus and Mary: When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” BUT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING TO THEM (Luke 2:48-50) Jesus gave many rebukes in his lifetime. The Pharisees, Peter, the disciples in general, etc., were frequently rebuked- but it was Mary who heard his first recorded rebuke. Again, Jesus said to Mary to correct her of her error, “Didn’t you KNOW I had to be in my Father’s house?” ****** While Mary was unquestionably blessed among women, Scripture does not say she was blessed above women. Furthermore, she being blessed in this manner is not unique to her alone. Jael is described in a similar fashion. Notice the following: Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. (Judg 5:24) There are also many others that are described as blessed. Just one such example is shown in James: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12) ****** According to Jesus himself John the Baptist was greater than Mary: I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist .... (Mat 11:11) Jesus told us who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, but did not say it was his mother Mary: Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 18:4) ****** Jesus did what his mother requested at Cana, BUT it is also true that the Lord equally obeyed the requests of others at times, which also resulted in the miraculous: While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples ... After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. (Mat 9:18,19, 25) In light of this passage, the miracle at Cana has been misused and distorted to teach we can go to Mary to get her to uniquely move the hand of the Lord in our behalf—meaning that she has a special ability and closeness to the Lord to do this. The truth is: Mary doesn’t have a unique influence on the Lord Jesus to affect his actions. ****** The Lord denied Mary’s request to talk to him: While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mat 12:46-50) ****** Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his FAMILY heard about this, they went to TAKE CHARGE OF HIM, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20, 21) Who is included in the family will be revealed in verse 31~ And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.” Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. (Mark 3:22-31) ~ ~ ~ ~ That passage reveals who the natural family members were who wrongly thought Jesus was insane and states they arrived at this point. They left to take charge of Jesus in verse 21 and arrived here at verse 31. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” (Mark 3:32)
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:39:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015