While John The Baptist, certainly, had a definitive, and, imperative role, we must also revere the role of Mary, the Mother of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, and, *GOD*...
Mary, the BLESSED Mother, was an Israelite Jewish Woman from Nazareth of Galilee, and, lived in the late first century BC, and, the late first century AD. According to Scholars, she was roughly 12 years old, when she was visited by the Angel Gabriel, and, 13 when CHRIST, our LORD was born; this in accord with Jewish customs; although, some claim she was around 15. According to varying Doctrines, and Dogmas, there are various stories of her role; Christians maintain CHRIST was born of IMMACULATE birth, others believe she gave birth by COMMAND of *GOD*! She was already betrothed to Joseph and was awaiting the concluding rite of marriage, the formal home-taking ceremony...
Her Parents were Saints; Joachim, and, Anne, and she was Cousin to Elizabeth, with direct lineage to Aaron. Joseph was in direct lineage with Jacob. Elizabeth, and, the Priest Zechariah, were the Parents of John The Baptist. The Gospel of LUKE mentions her by name the most, a total of 12 times. Let us take a look into the HOLY, DIVINE, SACRED, and BLESSED event...
MATTHEW 1: 18-25...
18/ Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.
19/ Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
20/ Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
21/ She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22/ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23/ "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us."
24/ When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
25/ He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
LUKE 1: 26-56...
26/ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
27/ to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
28/ And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
29/ But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
30/ Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31/ Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
32/ He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33/ and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34/ But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
35/ And the angel said to her in reply, "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.
36/ And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
37/ for nothing will be impossible for God."
38/ Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
39/ During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
40/ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41/ When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
42/ cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43/ And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44/ For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45/ Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
46/ And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47/ my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48/ For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
49/ The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50/ His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51/ He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52/ He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53/ The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54/ He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55/ according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
56/ Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Zechariah, John The Baptist's Father, did not receive THE WORD of *GOD* from the Angel, because of his advanced age, and so, because of his disbelief, was muted, until after John was born. Mary on the other hand, though she had questions, never doubted the POWER of *GOD*, and accepted, HIS WILL...
More to come...
1 comment:
At this time of the year, there ALWAYS arises discussions, even arguments concerning JESUS, and, HIS Brothers, and, Sisters...
According to Hebrew tradition, people who are related, even those close to particular Families, are called Brothers & Sisters. There is no evidence that HE did, or, did not have Siblings, & why does it matter???
As HE was on the Cross, HE told HIS Beloved Disciple, "Here is your Mother", & to her, HE said, "Here is your son.", SO, this COULD indicate that she had NO ONE to care for her, because, according to this verse, she lived with that Beloved Disciple from then on...
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