When Chaos Hits Home, Go Home! – Luke 1:26-50
When Chaos Hits Home, Go Home! – Luke 1:26-50
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 30, 2008 AM
What do you do when you hear news that will change your life? When the chaos of life hits home? Most of us immediately turn to those who love us, our family. For many of us when we are going through a tough time in life, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home!” I can remember being far from home in California and wanting more than anything to be home for the holidays. That is the way family should work, when times get chaotic you immediately think of heading home because those are the folks who understand you and love you the most. For the believer our home and family is not just with our biologic loved ones but also with our Heavenly Father as well. We discover that no matter what happens in life or where we are, God is right there and we can head for His loving arms anytime we desire.
We discover that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was no different. When she was faced with the realization that she was not only pregnant out of wedlock, and that her birth was going to be miraculous, she needed advice and comfort that not many would be able to give. While the townspeople, even others in her synagogue, would have disdained her, she knew of two places she would be accepted as this chaos hit home. Mary knew what to do when chaos hits home, she went home. Let’s discover what that means for us this morning…
READ: Luke 1:26-50
Mary did not seem surprised that the Messiah was to come. Rather, she was surprised that she would be His mother since she was a virgin (literally, “since I do not know a man”). But the angel did not rebuke Mary, as he had rebuked Zechariah (Luke 1:20). Instead He tries to comfort her. This indicates that Mary did not doubt the angel’s words but merely wanted to know how such a miraculous event would be accomplished. The answer was that the Holy Spirit would creatively bring about the physical conception of Jesus. Can you imagine what went through this young girl’s mind? When chaos hit home for Mary…
I. She goes home to those who can relate to her condition (vv. 36-40)!
1. Families are not just biological, they are soteriological! They are relevant to our personal salvation in times of crisis! Mary was given a sign: “Elizabeth… is going to have a child.” Mary affirmed her part in her own son’s birth by submitting to the plan of God: “May it be to me as You have said.” She willingly accepts God’s plan, calling herself the “Lord’s servant” (doule, “slave”). She was at the will of her God, but notice what she does: “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.” She heads home to the one person at the time who could completely understand her condition, Elizabeth. Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah lived in a town in the hill country. Possibly the hills surrounding Jerusalem. As Mary arrived, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (More about that in a moment.) I believe that the Lord in His infinite wisdom knew that this young girl would need the comfort and assistance of her family. She would need to know that God was working all around her and she graciously found security in her miraculously pregnant relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth would fully understand what Mary was going through. She was also submitting to the plan of God. When others would have mocked Mary, Elizabeth would have hugged her. In a beautiful poignant way Mary finds her comfort with her family. When chaos hits home, Mary goes home to those who can relate to her condition.
EXAMPLE: Whether it is a biological family or a church family, God’s children need to find comfort with those who understand them best. I believe that is why God has given us our families and our church. This is why the church is often referred to as “family.” Paul writes, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10) I must confess that while my biological family means more than anything to me, my church family does as well. It is a sin and shame when God’s children cannot find the love, acceptance, and forgiveness they need from their physical families, but they must always find it in their church home. These few verses should give us pause to remember that we need to make sure our own familial home is always full of love, acceptance and forgiveness, but that also our church family is a place where we can go when chaos hits home.
I cannot fathom being a teenager, living in an environment where your strict religious adherence dictated every action and thought of your life. We may falsely conclude that our Christianity does as well, but folks, Christians enjoy a wonderful freedom in Christ that those of Mary and Joseph’s day would not have known. Believers now live in the grace of God. That’s why Paul says we are free in Christ, but we are not to use our freedom for ungodliness. This is why these verses relate such a gracious picture of God’s mercy. What do I mean? We discover that when chaos hits home for Mary...
II. She goes “home” to her Father’s arms (vv. 41-50)!
1. “Whatever challenge or opportunity we face, there is security and peace in His everlasting arms!” - David C. McCasland. Elizabeth’s loudly spoken words, “Blessed (eulogemene, literally, “well spoken of”) are you among women,” carry the idea that Mary is the most honored of all women. Mary carried within her young body the Messiah. The hope of the entire world! Elizabeth called her the “mother of my Lord.” In Luke the term “Lord” (kyrios) often describes Jesus. It has a double meaning. “Lord” would be more important for a Gentile, non-Hebrew, reader than would the term “Christ” (meaning “Messiah”), for the Gentiles had not been anxiously awaiting the Messiah. On the other hand the Hebrew into Greek Septuagint often used the word “Lord” (kyrios) to translate Yahweh. Elizabeth said Mary was blessed (makaria, “happy”) because Mary believed what God had told her. This suggests that Mary visited Elizabeth not with a skeptical attitude but rather joyously knowing God was with her. God confirmed through Elizabeth what had been announced to Mary! And notice Mary’s response! She sings a wonderful song which praised God’s favor on her and her people. “The Magnificat,” as the song is often called, consists almost entirely of Old Testament references. Mary saw herself as part of the grand scheme and plan of God for His people. She called God my Savior (soteri mou) showing an intimate acquaintance with Him. She spoke of His faithfulness (v. 48), power (v. 49), holiness (v. 49), and mercy (v. 50). Mary knew where to go when chaos hit home for her, she ran to the arms of her Heavenly Father who was faithful, powerful, holy, and full of mercy for her! WOW! And this is certainly true for anyone who faces difficult times in life. For Mary, when chaos hit home, she goes home to her Father’s arms.
EXAMPLE: Where do you go when chaos hits home? Do you seek out the Lord who loves you or do you head for the world and its spiritual blindness? Far too often believers can find solace in sin rather than comfort in God’s guidance. The story is told that after a pre-concert rehearsal in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Randall Atcheson sat on stage alone. He had successfully navigated the intricate piano compositions of Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt for the evening program, and with only minutes remaining before the doors opened, he wanted to play one more piece for himself. What came from his heart and his hands was an old hymn by Elisha Hoffman:
What have I to dread,
what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace
with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Those words echo the truth in the final blessing of Moses: “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.(Deuteronomy 33:26-27).” Mary discovered this for herself as well. Have you? While our strength is limited, God’s boundless power on our behalf is expressed in His might and gentle care. For Mary, when chaos hit home, she goes home to her Father’s arms.
Conclusion:
When chaos hit home for Mary: She goes home to those who can relate to her condition, and she goes “home” to her Father’s arms. Do you?
----
This article is copyrighted © 2008 by Lee Hemen and if you reprint it, reproduce it, or want to use it in any way, you must do so in its entirety or get the written permission of its author.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 30, 2008 AM
What do you do when you hear news that will change your life? When the chaos of life hits home? Most of us immediately turn to those who love us, our family. For many of us when we are going through a tough time in life, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home!” I can remember being far from home in California and wanting more than anything to be home for the holidays. That is the way family should work, when times get chaotic you immediately think of heading home because those are the folks who understand you and love you the most. For the believer our home and family is not just with our biologic loved ones but also with our Heavenly Father as well. We discover that no matter what happens in life or where we are, God is right there and we can head for His loving arms anytime we desire.
We discover that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was no different. When she was faced with the realization that she was not only pregnant out of wedlock, and that her birth was going to be miraculous, she needed advice and comfort that not many would be able to give. While the townspeople, even others in her synagogue, would have disdained her, she knew of two places she would be accepted as this chaos hit home. Mary knew what to do when chaos hits home, she went home. Let’s discover what that means for us this morning…
READ: Luke 1:26-50
Mary did not seem surprised that the Messiah was to come. Rather, she was surprised that she would be His mother since she was a virgin (literally, “since I do not know a man”). But the angel did not rebuke Mary, as he had rebuked Zechariah (Luke 1:20). Instead He tries to comfort her. This indicates that Mary did not doubt the angel’s words but merely wanted to know how such a miraculous event would be accomplished. The answer was that the Holy Spirit would creatively bring about the physical conception of Jesus. Can you imagine what went through this young girl’s mind? When chaos hit home for Mary…
I. She goes home to those who can relate to her condition (vv. 36-40)!
1. Families are not just biological, they are soteriological! They are relevant to our personal salvation in times of crisis! Mary was given a sign: “Elizabeth… is going to have a child.” Mary affirmed her part in her own son’s birth by submitting to the plan of God: “May it be to me as You have said.” She willingly accepts God’s plan, calling herself the “Lord’s servant” (doule, “slave”). She was at the will of her God, but notice what she does: “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.” She heads home to the one person at the time who could completely understand her condition, Elizabeth. Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah lived in a town in the hill country. Possibly the hills surrounding Jerusalem. As Mary arrived, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (More about that in a moment.) I believe that the Lord in His infinite wisdom knew that this young girl would need the comfort and assistance of her family. She would need to know that God was working all around her and she graciously found security in her miraculously pregnant relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth would fully understand what Mary was going through. She was also submitting to the plan of God. When others would have mocked Mary, Elizabeth would have hugged her. In a beautiful poignant way Mary finds her comfort with her family. When chaos hits home, Mary goes home to those who can relate to her condition.
EXAMPLE: Whether it is a biological family or a church family, God’s children need to find comfort with those who understand them best. I believe that is why God has given us our families and our church. This is why the church is often referred to as “family.” Paul writes, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10) I must confess that while my biological family means more than anything to me, my church family does as well. It is a sin and shame when God’s children cannot find the love, acceptance, and forgiveness they need from their physical families, but they must always find it in their church home. These few verses should give us pause to remember that we need to make sure our own familial home is always full of love, acceptance and forgiveness, but that also our church family is a place where we can go when chaos hits home.
I cannot fathom being a teenager, living in an environment where your strict religious adherence dictated every action and thought of your life. We may falsely conclude that our Christianity does as well, but folks, Christians enjoy a wonderful freedom in Christ that those of Mary and Joseph’s day would not have known. Believers now live in the grace of God. That’s why Paul says we are free in Christ, but we are not to use our freedom for ungodliness. This is why these verses relate such a gracious picture of God’s mercy. What do I mean? We discover that when chaos hits home for Mary...
II. She goes “home” to her Father’s arms (vv. 41-50)!
1. “Whatever challenge or opportunity we face, there is security and peace in His everlasting arms!” - David C. McCasland. Elizabeth’s loudly spoken words, “Blessed (eulogemene, literally, “well spoken of”) are you among women,” carry the idea that Mary is the most honored of all women. Mary carried within her young body the Messiah. The hope of the entire world! Elizabeth called her the “mother of my Lord.” In Luke the term “Lord” (kyrios) often describes Jesus. It has a double meaning. “Lord” would be more important for a Gentile, non-Hebrew, reader than would the term “Christ” (meaning “Messiah”), for the Gentiles had not been anxiously awaiting the Messiah. On the other hand the Hebrew into Greek Septuagint often used the word “Lord” (kyrios) to translate Yahweh. Elizabeth said Mary was blessed (makaria, “happy”) because Mary believed what God had told her. This suggests that Mary visited Elizabeth not with a skeptical attitude but rather joyously knowing God was with her. God confirmed through Elizabeth what had been announced to Mary! And notice Mary’s response! She sings a wonderful song which praised God’s favor on her and her people. “The Magnificat,” as the song is often called, consists almost entirely of Old Testament references. Mary saw herself as part of the grand scheme and plan of God for His people. She called God my Savior (soteri mou) showing an intimate acquaintance with Him. She spoke of His faithfulness (v. 48), power (v. 49), holiness (v. 49), and mercy (v. 50). Mary knew where to go when chaos hit home for her, she ran to the arms of her Heavenly Father who was faithful, powerful, holy, and full of mercy for her! WOW! And this is certainly true for anyone who faces difficult times in life. For Mary, when chaos hit home, she goes home to her Father’s arms.
EXAMPLE: Where do you go when chaos hits home? Do you seek out the Lord who loves you or do you head for the world and its spiritual blindness? Far too often believers can find solace in sin rather than comfort in God’s guidance. The story is told that after a pre-concert rehearsal in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Randall Atcheson sat on stage alone. He had successfully navigated the intricate piano compositions of Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt for the evening program, and with only minutes remaining before the doors opened, he wanted to play one more piece for himself. What came from his heart and his hands was an old hymn by Elisha Hoffman:
What have I to dread,
what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace
with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Those words echo the truth in the final blessing of Moses: “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.(Deuteronomy 33:26-27).” Mary discovered this for herself as well. Have you? While our strength is limited, God’s boundless power on our behalf is expressed in His might and gentle care. For Mary, when chaos hit home, she goes home to her Father’s arms.
Conclusion:
When chaos hit home for Mary: She goes home to those who can relate to her condition, and she goes “home” to her Father’s arms. Do you?
----
This article is copyrighted © 2008 by Lee Hemen and if you reprint it, reproduce it, or want to use it in any way, you must do so in its entirety or get the written permission of its author.
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