Mary, Mary

By Jesus’ time, Mary was the single most popular female name among Jews (borne by about one in four women in Judaea). There are seven Mary’s in the New Testament. Today, we will study 3 of their lives. They have different backgrounds, different personalities, different assignments. Yet they have something important in common they each had a unique relationship with Jesus…and that relationship changed their lives forever. And just like the Marys –

“QUOTE”: Relationship with Jesus has the potential to transform your life.

Mary, Mother of Jesus – In Jesus, Mary found purpose

Mary lived (and was likely born and raised) in a town called Nazareth, roughly 55 miles north of Jerusalem. Living in Nazareth carried a negative stigma among her fellow Jews – perhaps similar to how some view a trailer park or public housing. Mary & Joseph started off poor – they couldn’t even afford to buy a lamb for the required offering at Jesus’ baby dedication.

It seems instinctual to overlook people that don’t have what we consider a winning profile. But that instinct is very often wrong.

Example- Aaron Rogers is a 4-time NFL MVP and multi-Super Bowl champion QB. You would think that he started his college career on a full-ride athletic scholarship at a D1 school, but not so. Rogers was discovered by mistake at Butte Community College in California by a UC coach that went to a game to scout a different player. The night his Green the Super Bowl, he told reporters, “God has always had a plan for my life… God doesn’t care who wins this game, He only cares who gets the glory and He got the glory tonight.”

What is God’s plan for you?

So, let’s look at Luke 1:26 when this seemingly unremarkable teenage girl receives the most remarkable calling of any woman before or since:

Luke 1:28 NLT – “Gabriel to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.”

[Translation] “Favored how? I’m a poor little no one from nowhere”

Luke 1:30-35 NLT – “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:38 NLT – “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary had already “found favor” with God. But when she stopped asking questions and said “yes” to God, she found purpose.
Most of us want God to explain His plan before we obey it. Mary teaches us to obey before we understand.

“QUOTE” – “Whatever God’s purpose is for your life, it is good and it is grand—that is, if you are willing to surrender to Him.”

This act of surrender led to Mary becoming the most celebrated woman in the world.

“QUOTE” – “Just because some have thought too much of Mary does not mean that God is pleased when we think too little of her.”

Mary Magdalene – In Jesus, Mary found freedom

Luke 8:1-3 NLT – “Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were
contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

Mary Magdalene’s story begins in direct contrast to our first Mary. The mother of Jesus was a poor Nazarene, while Mary Magdalene was quite the opposite. Mary’s hometown, Magdala, was a popular & prosperous economic hub. The scriptures suggest she had more than enough to support herself.

Note – Many people erroneously assume that all their problems would be solved if they only had more money

And yet Mary Magdalene was miserable. Tormented. Demon-possessed. By not one or two, but SEVEN demons. Scripture doesn’t describe what her experience was like, but demon possession in all cases is a horrific experience. (Scripture speaks of possession as physically, mentally, socially & emotionally
destructive) We don’t know the details but we know Mary Magdalene found freedom.

Mary of Bethany – In Jesus, Mary found communion with God

Mary of Bethany appears in three separate events in the gospels. In all three occasions her primary position is at Jesus’ feet.

In Luke 10 she is contrasted with her sister, Martha. Martha is working. Mary is worshipping. Martha is distracted. Mary is focused. And Jesus says:

Luke 10:41-42 MSG – “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

“QUOTE” – “Jesus values our activity, but not as much as He values our attention.”

Mary decided that communing with God was more important than anything else she could be doing. And Jesus said she made the right choice.

The next time Mary of Bethany appears in the Gospels, her brother Lazarus has died, and she is devastated, but as soon as she hears that Jesus is there, she stops everything and runs to kneel at His feet.

John 11:31-36 AMP – “So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her, saw how quickly Mary got up and left, they followed her, assuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came [to the place] where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “LORD, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her sobbing, and the Jews who had come with her also sobbing, He was deeply moved in spirit [to the point of anger at the sorrow caused by death] and was troubled, 34and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him [as a close friend]!”

Even though she is heartbroken and probably angry – again Mary makes the right choice. She decides that it’s better to be in the presence of God, even in mourning, than to be anywhere else.

In response Jesus didn’t watch her weep; He wept WITH her. This is another amazing thing about worship:

“QUOTE” – “Worship is an intimate, interactive experience where we pour our heart out to God and He pours His heart into us.”

Our vision as a church is for you to get to know God like Mary of Bethany, find freedom like Mary Magdalene, discover purpose like Mary, the mother of Jesus – and ultimately to make a difference like Mary, Mary and Mary!

So… Which Mary are you?