The Holly chieftain., 1923-07-05
LESSON FOR July 8
MARY. THE MOTHER OF JESUS

LESSON rExT-Luke i:1s-38. $3.50:
9:l-7o. 41-52: John lS:25-z7.
GOLDEN TExT-''Thou shalt call His
aams Jesus; for He shall save His peo-
pie from their sins."-Matt. l:2l.
1:ls-2:12; John i:1-11: John ls:a5-27.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Mary and the
Baby. Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPrc-Mary and the Boy.
Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
Ic-Notabls Incidents In the Life Of
Mary.
Mary. the Mother of Jesus.
!. Mary At Nazareth tLuke / 1:2e-3S.
1850.
Mary was a Jewish maid Of the
town Of Nazareth. The first informa-
tion we have of her Is that she was
engaged to be married to Joseph. a
carpenter of the same village. It
seems that the custom among the
Jews was for betrothal to take place
year before marriage. During this
interval the woman remained with her
parents.
/. Gabriel Sent from God to Mary
wv. 28-38). 1t was during this interval
Of betrothal before Joseph and Mary
were married that God sent the angel
Gabriel to announce unto Mary that
she was to be the mother of Jesus.
Isaiah. more than 100 years before,
prophesied that . virgin should give
birth to q son whose name should bs
called Immanuel Elsa. 7:14). Though
at FIRST perplsxed, .she accepted the
annhnciation with remarkable courage
and devotion. To be told that she was
to be mother was nothing startling.
for this was the normal desire Of
every married Jewish woman. Under
the circumstances she accepted moth
erhood at tremendous cost. She was
conscious of her virgin purity. She
knew that to become a mother under
such circumstances would expose her
to unutterabls suspicion and shame
This was the view that certain Jews
took Of the matter. for they insinu-
ated to Jesus that He was born Of
fornication (John s:41). Her faith
was such that she responded with
noble courage. She said, Behold the
handmade Of the Lord; be 1t unto ms
according to thy word" (Luke 1880.
2. Her Wonderful Song wv. 1856
In her embarrassment she set out on
visit to an elderly kinswoman named
Elizabeth. Having sought the sympa-
thy and encouragement Of this friend,
her triumphant faith carried her be-
yond the misunderstanding. the scorn
and shame which awaited her. and
caused her soul to burst out In this
most wonderful song Of praise.
u. Mary at Bethlehem Luke 2 :1-20).
What Gabriel announced to Mary
was now being fulfilled. Caesars de-
cree concerning taxation brought Jos
eph and Mary to Bethlehem at the
opportune time for the fulfillment Of
Micah So. Because of the crowded
condition Of the inn. the birth Of the
worlds Saviour took place In a cave
stable.
III. Mary Ia Jsrusalsm and oaiIiss
(Luke 2 2:41-52).
jesus, now at the age OF twelve,
was a child Of the law. for at this age
the child took his responsibility az q
worshiper.
1. Failure in Vigilant Care ". 4S).
They had left the city and gone a
whole days journey without knowing
where the child was.
2. Failure to Understand Fully
Jesus Action and Words ". SOY. No
particular censure should attach to
this. as 1t is beyond our ability even
now to understand all these things.
9. Failure to Properly sympathize
with. Jesus Deepest Longings and
Emotions "How is 1t that ys sought
me? Wist ye not that must be about
my Fathers businessr
4. Failure to Perceive Her Limit OF
Masterfulness. The time comes when
duty to God takes precedence over
duty to parents. All these limitations
should be viewed with the background
of her deep devotion to God. Her
whole life was lived in spiritual at
mosphere. She was just the kind OF
woman to whom God would trust the
uphringlng Of His Son. Jesus went
back with them to Nazareth Qnd was
subject unto them.
w. Mary at the Cross tJohD 1925
27).
This was great trial. For any
mother to see her son die is trial.
but what must 1t have been for this
mother in the face of all the sacred
memories that chung to her soul, II
is beautiful to note the tender care
which Jesus in His dying hour mani.
tested for His mother He committed
her to the care Of John. John &C.
cepted the responsibility of . SOD and
took her to his home.