Title: Obedience (Acts 05:29)
Description Mary, the mother of Jesus, conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In a society of that time, under the strict Jewish law, it was not usually condemned for an unmarried woman to have a child. It may be possible these days when it is open to the public, but it was impossible at the time. Innocent Mary, who had never slept with a man, had great fear. Then the angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God; behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, and he will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. He will give me his throne, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.
After hearing the angel's words, Mary said, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" Then the angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Then Mary said without saying a word, “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.
Mary's words seem simple obedience to us at first glance. But there is a decision of obedience risking his life. Mary expressed a ferocious determination to do the Lord's will, no matter what kind of persecution, even if people throw a stone of murder because it is an immoral phenomenon.
Mary's husband, Joseph, was also a man of obedience. Like Mary, Joseph had the potential to be criticized and ridiculed. Moreover, from a human point of view, he was very perplexed. Because he had never slept with Mary, and she was pregnant. In Matthew 1:19, we see how much Joseph struggled with this problem, and it says that he wanted to cut off his relationship with Mary. But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for she is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and she will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ] said. In Matthew 1:24, we see that Joseph awoke and did as the Lord commanded, and brought Mary.
They were such obedient people. They obeyed God's Word without any objection. God chose Mary and Joseph not because they were superior in learning, wealth, or noble social status, but because they were people of obedience. God chose them with an obedient heart and sent the Messiah to save the world through their obedience.
Even today, God still works great through people of obedience. Do you want to become a precious vessel used by God? If it is God's word, be prepared to obey it no matter what persecution and suffering it may face. Only obedient people can become precious saints who glorify God.
Prayer: Praise God who is always with us. May our family become obedient people and live for you. If it is the word of the Lord, no matter what persecution, hardship, or pain comes, let me live obediently and give me the strength to obey. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Holistic Prayer: The Lord's Prayer to Become an Obedient Families