pondering these things.

I was reading in my devotions the other day about the crucifixion of Jesus, I read over the words in John 19 and these ones caught my eye…


25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

I began to think about that much younger woman, just a teenager, who had the angel of the Lord visit her and tell her that she would give birth to the Son of God:

Luke 1 The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

It made me think about, and begin to ponder a few things… Like who was this girl Mary and what characteristics and integrity did she display that caused God to choose her, and do I posess any of those things that would cause Him to choose me for amazing plans that He has in mind… Then I began to wonder about Mary, this young girl, who humbly and boldly (although perhaps shaking on the inside) said ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your words to me be fulfilled’, did she have any idea of the magnitude of the dream and the promise that had just been planted in her? Then I thought back to that scene at the cross and the heartbreak Mary, that obedient servant, must have been feeling, and I wonder if she had any idea when she said ‘yes’ to the angel, of the sacrifice that would be required from that promise as she saw her Jesus beaten, bruised, bloodied, hanging in absolute agony from that wooden cross…

The words I’m typing don’t really do justice to the thoughts in my mind and my heart, but I am convinced that God the Father has put many dreams and promises in each and every one of us, and that if we would choose, like Mary, to say ‘I am your servant, may your words to me be fulfilled’ that He would take us on the most incredible adventure. I have learnt though, that like Mary, the promise comes with the requirement of sacrifice, because it’s never actually about us, this sacrifice looks different for everyone, and sadly not everyone is willing to pay the price… but just imagine the joy, the overwhelming joy in Mary’s heart, when Jesus rose from the grave, defeated death, went up to heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father… I know that if we too, will pay the price, a price that Jesus completely understands-we are never alone in our pain, that we will see and experience the joy of His promise in our lives!

There’s a lot in this one, probably more of a sermon or maybe a 3 part series than a blog! Hope you’re still with me! Just wanted to try and share some of the awe in my heart at the amazingness of our God and His wonderful plans!

I pray you have a beautiful Christmas and that you remember the power of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that you can celebrate with loved ones and that next year is a year of you living out the promises of God, paying the price required, and seeing with joy a great harvest in your life!

Much love, Jodie. xx