We are looking at what Mary taught Jesus; and we are basing our thoughts on the Magnificat where Mary speaks freely about her passions and her beliefs. It would be reasonable to assume that God would have picked someone to be the mother of His Son; someone whose heart, soul, mind, and spirit, were compatible with His own. In fact, the contents of her song are reflected in the overall message in Luke’s entire gospel. E. Stanley Jones, the great Methodist missionary to India in the first half of the 20th century has called the Magnificat “the most revolutionary document in the world.”
The first
thing we saw was that she taught Jesus, to obey whatever God said to Him
without question, and whatever the outcome to praise Him (vv. 46-49). In v. 51,
she taught Jesus to be passionate about…
Moral
Justice
Like the
entire Jewish community, Mary was aware of the Pharisees and how proud they
were of their adherence to their system of rules and regulations. She knew how
they would parade around town in their expensive clothes and condemn those who
did not rise to their standard of piety. She saw how they aimed their vilest
vitriol at the alcoholics, the prostitutes, and the traitorous tax collectors.
She saw their pride, and knew that pride was sin.
Mary expressed
in the Magnificat that God will oppose and scatter the proud. As Jesus was
growing up, I can imagine her saying to Jesus, “remember son, men look on the
outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. Whenever you see someone who is
seeking to live a godly life, be kind to them and teach them of Jahweh. And
remember, Jesus, no matter how popular you become, or if people may want to
make you king, keep a humble spirit, and let God lift you up.”
During His
ministry, Jesus spent large chunks of time with those who were seekers of God. He
found them among the prostitutes, the drunks, the tax collectors, and various
other social outcasts. He patiently answered their questions, he ate and drank
with them, he laughed and cried with them, and they were transformed by Him.
They loved Him and followed Him. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were very
critical of Him.
Over the last
several decades, our society has been slipping away from a time when social
convention was defined by the Scriptures. As our culture becomes increasingly
secular and morally permissive, the Church has tended to express disapproval
and shun the offending segments of society.
Don’t get me
wrong. There are many things in our society that run counter to biblical
teaching. I am also certain, that Jesus disapproved of the lifestyles of His
audience – but He lived among them, loved them, and taught them a better way.
John the Apostle said it best, “God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Jesus
didn’t separate Himself from them and criticize them; He embraced them in order
to win them to Himself. He also told them, and us by extension, that just as
the Father had sent Him, He was sending us.
If Jesus were
here, what would He do?
If Jesus were
here, how would the Church react to His ministry?
How do we love
and embrace the lost in our communities without endorsing their way of life?
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