Jump Start # 3234

Luke 1:30 “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.’”

Mary was chosen by God to carry Jesus into the world. We are not told much about Mary. Why her? Our verse tells us enough. She found favor with God. Most tend to think that Mary was young, possibly even a teenager.  And, like young David, generations before, out in the fields tending sheep, God saw something in him. His faith. His choices. His heart. Those are the things that God noticed.

Have you ever thought about the parallels with David and Mary?

First, both were so young. Today, we’d think that they both needed more experience. What God was putting in their hands was incredible. The fate of the nation was going to be placed upon the shoulders of David. Raising the Christ child would rest with Mary. And, when we think about those two, neither had much knowledge nor experience in what God called them to do. It’s one thing to lead and protect sheep, but people are so different. People have attitudes and opinions and most do not like to be told what to do, especially from someone younger than they are. And, Mary, what did she know about babies? What did she know about being a parent?

However, our Great God had confidence in both of them. God believed in them. Perfect they were not. But they manifested a heart of trust and faith, which is so incredible to the Lord.

Second, it seems that both David and Mary had a healthy environment to know the Lord and to exercise their faith. God didn’t just roll the divine dice and pick those two without any consideration. He never does that. He saw in both of them the right elements of faith, courage, and trust. Those things just do not drop out of the skies. Parents who loved the Lord must have established the foundation of trust and truth in the Lord. But from there, they took those principles to a higher and deeper level. Heaven noticed them. Heaven chose them.

Third, both knew the bitter taste of disappointment, failure and pain. Mary must have heard what people were saying about her son. Mary saw the death of her son, the beloved Jesus. For David, there was King Saul who tried to kill him. Later, there was his own son who tried to kill him. Being chosen by God did not put them on a golden sidewalk in which nothing bad ever happened. David had his mistakes. But what better people to walk through those valleys than those who stand out because of their faith and trust in the Lord.

Fourth, what a bridge for us to think about our young people today. Don’t give them a pass because they are young. Don’t discount a lack of faith, interest or zeal because they are young. Don’t think that they are not capable of doing great things in the kingdom. Young, powerful, faithful, that’s how David and Mary are introduced to us.

Sometimes we waste those young years and find ourselves behind because we weren’t diligent. Faith didn’t grow. Opportunities passed by unnoticed. Little good to talk about during those teen years. For way too many of us, that’s our story. It was my story. I sat on the backrow of the church, goofing around too much. How many powerful sermons did I miss? How many great opportunities I never saw because at the time I wasn’t interested?

I’m thankful for the great teens that I see where I preach. Interested. Excited. Engaged. And, I expect Heaven notices. What a great advantage those young people will have. Their faith will take them far. They will help so many people.

David and Mary—young and chosen by God. Sure is something to think about…

Roger

Jump Start # 1003

Luke 1:30 “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”

  The Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Because the shepherds were in the field and Caesar called for a census, it seems more likely to have been in the spring and not December. More than that, the Bible doesn’t show the early church celebrating the birth of Jesus. His birth is important. Born of a virgin fulfilled prophecies that were centuries old. God coming as a baby, not with trumpets blowing, upon a white horse as most might expect was completely a surprise. Born in a manger, not a palace. Born to a common woman, not a queen. Everything about the birth of Jesus was not the way man would have scripted it.

Our verse today tells us why Mary. Why was Mary chosen? She had found favor with God. That is something we’d expect. God would send Jesus to a believer. It is commonly thought, based upon traditions and customs from the times, that Mary was a teenager, possibly 15 years old. Maybe 17 years old. A pregnant unwed teenager doesn’t make the news around here. It did back then. What impresses me is the fact that a teenager found favor with God.

Too often we discount teenagers. We hear of the horror stories from so many. The drugs, the rebellion, the prodigals, the lack of interest in all things spiritual—is far too common among teenagers in many churches. Some have done all kinds of things to help the kids stay together inside and out. Churches have developed youth ministers and special activities to keep the young people interested. A sad tale is being reported  after a generation of youth ministers, youth activities, youth programs, and churches who have geared things toward the youth. It didn’t help. The stats indicate with all the youth stuff, young people are still dropping out and disengaging from the Lord in great numbers. The youth stuff didn’t change things. All the hype was just that, hype. Food, fun, and activities didn’t generate a spiritual spark that the experts thought would happen.

And here is Mary, a teenager that found favor with the Lord. I doubt that she had youth ministers or Friday night youth activities at the Temple. And there is Mary, a teenager that the Lord saw something in her heart. There is Mary, who most likely never traveled very far, didn’t write any great story, whose life was just beginning to blossom and the Lord found favor with her. She was common to man, but special to God.

The Bible doesn’t tell us what the Lord saw, but we know what the Lord saw in others. There was young David, years before, also a teenager, out watching his father’s sheep. God saw his heart and sent Samuel to anoint him as the next king of Israel. Alone in the fields, God heard those hymns he sang to the sheep. God was aware of his observations about spiritual matters. God saw what no one else saw, even his family. I expect Mary was much like that. Too often we judge spirituality based upon accomplishments and success and not the heart. Having a spiritual heart, Mary would have been kind and caring to others. Mary would have prayed for others. Mary would have had a grateful heart. Mary was obedient. As a teenager, she was a virgin. Pure.  It is this atmosphere that Jesus would have been influenced, taught and raised. God chose someone He could count on. God chose someone who would be responsible, dependable and spiritual. Mary found favor with the Lord.

I know teenagers all across this country who are like Mary. They come to services and worship. They have their Bibles opened, as well as their eyes. They sing out. They stick around and talk with older folks. They are kind to preachers, like me. Years ago, I was preaching in a college town for a few days. A group of college students invited me over to their apartment for pizza. They were fun and engaged and very excited about the Lord. I have known teenagers who have gone overseas to help share the message about Jesus. I have seen teenagers show up on a Saturday morning at the church building to help clean up. Someone in the congregation needs help moving, you can be sure that a teenager or two will show up.

Finding favor with the Lord begins with that sweet heart that loves God and wants to honor the Lord. Finding favor with the Lord involves the things that mean a lot to the Lord. Worship does. Helping others does. Doing good does. Purity does. Obedience does.

Mary wasn’t the last young person who found favor with the Lord. God is pleased with so many today, who are busy doing what they can for the Lord.

Now a few thoughts based upon this:

First, sometimes we older folks can be sour to the young people. Sure they need direction and a little guidance but don’t shut the door to everything that they want to do. Could it be the reason that so many drop off the map spiritually is because all they see is a bunch of grumpy older Christians who judge each other and are against doing anything differently? Shame on us. We can learn things from these young people that God favors.

Second, there are many teenagers who need help. It’s not Friday night basketball that they need, it’s connecting to God and having serious questions answered. Don’t be afraid of questions. Not all of us were like Mary when we were teenagers. I wasn’t. Most of my teen years were spent in the back row of the church goofing off. I doubt the Lord found much favor with me back then. I’m thankful He was patient. I’m thankful He finally got something kick started in my heart and brain. Today, I preach. I’ve been preaching all of my adult life. Don’t give up on teenagers. Some who disappoint you today, may be preaching tomorrow.

Third, compliment those who are trying. Every congregation has some teenagers who are serious about the Lord. Let them know that you notice and you are impressed. Do something for them. A little attention goes a long way.

Mary found favor with the Lord. Shouldn’t we all?

Roger