Mary the Faithful Servant
Sermon: Mary the Lord’s Servant
(Luke 1:38) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said
The Lord’s servant is a recipient of God’s grace (Luke 1:26-30)
Key words: __________ __________ __________
The Lord’s servant has faith even when he doesn’t understand God’s plan (Luke 1:29-34)
Key words: ___________ __________
Compare 1:34 with 1:18
The Lord’s servant is graciously strengthened by God (Luke 1:35-37)
Key words: __________ __________ __________
The Lord’s servant sees himself as God sees him (Luke 1:38a)
Key words: __________ ___________
The Lord’s servant submits to God’s revealed will (Luke 1:38b)
The hardships of being the Lord’s servant (Luke 2:34-35; John 19:25)
The blessings of being the Lord’s servant (Luke 1:42,45)
The Lord’s servant is totally surrendered to God (Luke 1:31,46;47)
Key words: __________ __________ __________
The Lord’s servant praises God (Luke 1:46-55)
For _____________ For ______________
Sermón: María, la sierva del Señor
Lucas 1:38 (VP) Entonces María dijo:—Yo soy esclava del Señor; que Dios haga conmigo como me has dicho. (NBLH) “Aquí tienes a la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra
La sierva del Señor recibe la gracia de Dios (Lucas 1:26-30)
Palabras claves: __________ __________ __________
La sierva del Señor demuestra fe aun cuando no entiende el plan de Dios (Lucas 1:29-34)
Palabras claves: ___________ __________
Compara 1:34 con 1:18
La sierva del Señor es fortalecida por Dios (Lucas 1:35-37)
Palabras claves: __________ __________ __________
La sierva del Señor se ve como Dios la ve (Lucas 1:38a)
Palabras claves: __________ ___________
La sierva del Señor se somete a la voluntad de Dios (Lucas 1:38b)
Las pruebas dificiles de ser sierva del Señor (Lucas 2:34-35; Juan 19:25)
Las bendiciones de ser sierva del Señor (Lucas 1:42,45)
La sierva del Señor se rinde totalmente a Dios (Lucas 1:31,46;47)
Palabras claves: __________ __________ __________
La sierva del Señor alaba a Dios (Lucas 1:46-55)
Lo alaba por _____________ Lo alaba por ______________
Sermon: Sermon: Mary the Lord’s Servant (Luke 1:38)
*the most famous Teenager in the Bible
Mary = Gr Mariam; i.e. Heb Miriam, so throughout Luke
Mary is portrayed as favored of God (v. 30), deeply thoughtful (v. 29; 2:19, 51), obedient (v. 38), believing (v. 45), worshipful (v. 46), and devoted to Jewish law and piety (2:22-51). It is little wonder that Luke names her in the company of believers when the church began (Acts 1:14).
She was a daughter of the royal family, lineally descended from David, and she herself and all her friends knew it, for she went under the title and character of the house of David, though she was poor and low in the world
THE LORD’S SERVANT IS A RECIPIENT OF GOD’S GRACE….and…..responder to God’s grace (Luke 1:26-30)
Lk.1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. 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.
RVR Al sexto mes el ángel Gabriel fue enviado por Dios a una ciudad de Galilea, llamada Nazaret, 27a una virgen desposada con un varón que se llamaba José, de la casa de David; y el nombre de la virgen era María. 28Y entrando el ángel en donde ella estaba, dijo: ¡Salve, muy favorecida! El Señor es contigo; bendita tú entre las mujeres. 29Mas ella, cuando le vio, se turbó por sus palabras, y pensaba qué salutación sería esta. 30Entonces el ángel le dijo: María, no temas, porque has hallado gracia delante de Dios
*Jn.1:46 Dijo Natanael: ¿Acaso de Nazaret puede salir algo bueno?
*marriage in early teens
*charitoo. from cháris (5485), grace. to endow with charis. To grace, highly honor or greatly favor. In the NT spoken only of the divine favor, as to the virgin Mary in Luke 1:28, kecharitōménē, the perf. pass. part. sing. fem. The verb charitóō declares the virgin Mary to be highly favored, approved of God to conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. The only other use of charitóō is in Eph. 1:6 where believers are said to be “accepted in the beloved,” i.e., objects of grace.
THE LORD’S SERVANT HAS FAITH EVEN WHEN HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND OR KNOW THE DETAILS OF GOD’S PLAN (Luke 1:29-34)
Lk.1:29 Mary was greatly troubled [diatarasso, To stir up throughout, greatly, completely, Confundir, desconcertar] at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid [phobeo], Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name 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 the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
(RVR) 29Mas ella, cuando le vio, se turbó por sus palabras, y pensaba qué salutación sería esta. 30Entonces el ángel le dijo: María, no temas, porque has hallado gracia delante de Dios. 31Y ahora, concebirás en tu vientre, y darás a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESÚS. 32Este será grande, y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo; y el Señor Dios le dará el trono de David su padre; 33y reinará sobre la casa de Jacob para siempre, y su reino no tendrá fin. 34Entonces María dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo será esto? pues no conozco varón.
COMPARE WITH ZECHARIAH’S QUESTION
Lk.1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
(RVR) 18Dijo Zacarías al ángel: ¿En qué conoceré esto? Porque yo soy viejo, y mi mujer es de edad avanzada. 19Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy delante de Dios; y he sido enviado a hablarte, y darte estas buenas nuevas. 20Y ahora quedarás mudo y no podrás hablar, hasta el día en que esto se haga, por cuanto no creíste mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su tiempo.
THE LORD’S SERVANT IS GRACIOUSLY STRENGTHENED BY GOD (an unsolicited sign (Luke 1:35-37)
Lk.1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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 barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
El ángel alentó la fe de María
(RVR) 35Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra; por lo cual también el Santo Ser que nacerá, será llamado Hijo de Dios. 36Y he aquí tu parienta Elisabet, ella también ha concebido hijo en su vejez; y este es el sexto mes para ella, la que llamaban estéril; 37porque nada hay imposible para Dios. 38Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra. Y el ángel se fue de su presencia
*He is able to do whatever he wishes to do (Gen. 18:14; Ps. 115:3; Jer. 32:17; Dan. 4:35; Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27; Eph. 1:19; 3:20). Therefore he was able to give a child to Zechariah and Elizabeth though both had long given up hope of ever having one. Therefore he was also able to fulfil his promise to Mary, without any help from Joseph.
The statement is a quotation from the LXX (Grk translation) of Genesis 18:14, where the angel of the Lord reminds Abraham that Sarah will indeed have a son. She had laughed in unbelief at the possibility of giving birth at 90.
* Basic premise of our faith: “nothing is impossible for God”
* Mary did not ask for a sign, (not like the Pharisees: Mk.8:11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”] but it seems that Gabriel gave her one by explaining that Mary’s relative Elizabeth was also pregnant as the result of God’s grace. Gabriel gave Mary a person to whom she could go for support during what could prove to be a difficult time for Mary as she humbly fulfilled God’s will. This also illustrated for Mary the fact that nothing is impossible with God. God took a barren woman who was past childbearing age and caused her to become pregnant. God took a virgin and caused a child to grow in her womb. With God, nothing is impossible (18:27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God; Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 17:20; 19:26; Mark 10:27).
The angel helps the Virgin Mary’s faith by telling her about something that will assist her to receive his message. This is how God deals with us. He knows our weakness.
God keeps His promises regardless of how difficult the circumstances may seem. Gabriel’s statement about God should be our statement of faith: Nothing is impossible with God.
THE LORD’S SERVANT SEES HIMSELF AS GOD SEES HIM (Luke 1:38)
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered (RVR) Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor;
* I am the Lord’s servant
Not a servant to myself (doing what I want)
Not primarily a servant of others (doing their will before God’s)
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered (RVR) Entonces María dijo: He aquí la sierva del Señor;
Doulos = A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other. Syn.: diákonos (1249), a deacon, servant, minister; país (3816), literally “a child,” but also an attendant, servant; oikétēs (3610), a house servant; hupērétēs (5257), a servant; therápōn (2324), a healer who also cares, an attendant servant; místhios (3407) and misthōtós (3411), a hired servant.
From deō, to bind, a slave, originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude,
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin
Acts 4:29 Peter & the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men
Matt.6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money
* I am an Adopted Child of God (Jn.1:12,13; Eph.1:4b-5
In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will)
THE LORD’S SERVANT SUBMITS TO GOD’S REVEALED WILL (Luke 1:38)
….“May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (RVR) …hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra.
Lord’s Servant = 1 word definitions (Submission, Surrender, Giver (not taker)
Luke 2:22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
Luke 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
* Surrender to God is an absolute essential both for salvation and service.
The hardships of being the Lord’s servant (Luke 2:34-35; John 19:25) La pruebas de ser sierva del Señor
· By her fiancé/husband…… her parents…… her friends…….her church, etc)
Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Luke 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Col.1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church
Phil.3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
THE LORD’S SERVANT SUBMITS TO GOD’S REVEALED WILL (Luke 1:38)
….“May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (RVR) …hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra
The blessings of being the Lord’s servant (Luke 1:39-45) Las bendiciones de ser sierva del Señor
Luke 1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed [eulogeo] are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
(RVR) 39En aquellos días, levantándose María, fue de prisa a la montaña, a una ciudad de Judá; 40y entró en casa de Zacarías, y saludó a Elisabet. 41Y aconteció que cuando oyó Elisabet la salutación de María, la criatura saltó en su vientre; y Elisabet fue llena del Espíritu Santo, 42y exclamó a gran voz, y dijo: Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre. 43¿Por qué se me concede esto a mí, que la madre de mi Señor venga a mí? 44Porque tan pronto como llegó la voz de tu salutación a mis oídos, la criatura saltó de alegría en mi vientre. 45Y bienaventurada la que creyó, porque se cumplirá lo que le fue dicho de parte del Señor
* from eú (2095), good, well, and lógos (3056), word. To bless, speak well of
Matt 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Matt.25:21 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! / hiciste bien, buen siervo y fiel
THE LORD’S SERVANT IS TOTALLY SURRENDERED TO GOD……….body, soul, spirit (Luke 1:31,46;47; 22:42)
Lk.1:31 [body] You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus (RVR) 31Y ahora, concebirás en tu vientre, y darás a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre JESÚS
Lk.1:46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (RVR) 46Entonces María dijo: Engrandece mi alma al Señor; 47Y mi espíritu se regocija en Dios mi Salvador.
Lk.1:38b….“May it be to me as you have said.” (RVR) …hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra. (will)
Lk.22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (RVR)
Rom. 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
INCLUDES: Dreams…. Plans.…Goals….Time….$..... Friendships….Possessions,
THE LORD’S SERVANT PRAISES GOD (Luke 1:46-55) La sierva de Dios alaba a Dios
for who He is and what He has done
por lo que es y por lo que ha hecho
Lk.1:46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful [took notice] of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
(RVR) 46Entonces María dijo: Engrandece mi alma al Señor; 47 Y mi espíritu se regocija en Dios mi Salvador. 48 Porque ha mirado la bajeza de su sierva; Pues he aquí, desde ahora me dirán bienaventurada todas las generaciones. 49 Porque me ha hecho grandes cosas el Poderoso; Santo es su nombre, 50 Y su misericordia es de generación en generación A los que le temen. 51 Hizo proezas con su brazo; Esparció a los soberbios en el pensamiento de sus corazones. 52 Quitó de los tronos a los poderosos, Y exaltó a los humildes. 53 A los hambrientos colmó de bienes, Y a los ricos envió vacíos. 54 Socorrió a Israel su siervo, Acordándose de la misericordia 55 De la cual habló a nuestros padres, Para con Abraham y su descendencia para siempre
“I am the Lord’s servant”
Ps.40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart` (NBLH) Me deleito en hacer Tu voluntad, Dios mío
* Even when you are treated like a servant
· Luke 17:7-10 “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’
(VP) 7“Si uno de ustedes tiene un criado que regresa del campo después de haber estado arando o cuidando el ganado, ¿acaso le dice: ‘Pasa y siéntate a comer’? 8No, sino que le dice: ‘Prepárame la cena, y dispónte a atenderme mientras yo como y bebo. Después podrás tú comer y beber.’ 9Y tampoco le da las gracias al criado por haber hecho lo que le mandó. 10Así también ustedes, cuando ya hayan cumplido todo lo que Dios les manda, deberán decir: ‘Somos servidores inútiles, porque no hemos hecho más que cumplir con nuestra obligación.
· Jesus washed 24 feet (Jn.13)
Examples of other servants
Jesus (Phil.2:7; Mark 10:45; Isa.42:1; 52:13)
Moses (2Kg.18:12; 1Chron.6:49; 2 Chron.1:3; 24:6,9; Neh.10:29; Dan.9:11; Rev.15:3)
Joshua (Josh.24:29; Judges 2:8)
David (Ps.18:1; 36:1)
Paul (Rom. 1:1; Gal.1:10; Phil.1:1; Titus 1:1)
James (1:1)
Timothy (Phil.1:1)
Epaphras (Col.4:12)
Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1)
Jude (1:1)
SERVANTS OF GOD
1 Chronicles 6:49 But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
2 Chronicles 24:9 A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert.
Nehemiah 10:29 all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.
Daniel 9:11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.
Revelation 15:3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Genesis 50:17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
2 Corinthians 6:4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Revelation 7:3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Ezra 5:11 This is the answer they gave us: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, one that a great king of Israel built and finished.
SERVANTS OF THE LORD (Deut.34:5; Josh.1:1,13,15; 8:31,33; 11:12; 12:6; 13:8; 14:7; 18:7; 22:2,4,5;
Deut 34:5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said.
Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:
Joshua 1:13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.’
Joshua 1:15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Joshua 8:31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.
Joshua 8:33 All Israel, aliens and citizens alike, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing those who carried it—the priests, who were Levites. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.
Joshua 11:12 Joshua took all these royal cities and their kings and put them to the sword. He totally destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded.
Joshua 12:6 Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelites conquered them. And Moses the servant of the Lord gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be their possession.
Joshua 13:8 The other half of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadites had received the inheritance that Moses had given them east of the Jordan, as he[Moses],the servant of the Lord had assigned it to them.
Joshua 14:7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions,
Joshua 18:7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the Lord is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses the servant of the Lord gave it to them.”
Joshua 22:2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.
Joshua 22:4 Now that the Lord your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
Joshua 22:5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Joshua 24:29 After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
Judges 2:8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
2 Kings 10:23 Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Recab went into the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the ministers of Baal, “Look around and see that no servants of the Lord are here with you—only ministers of Baal.”
2 Kings 18:12 This happened because they had not obeyed the Lord their God, but had violated his covenant—all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out.
2 Chronicles 24:6 Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, “Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?”
Psalm 18:1 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, O Lord, my strength.
Psalm 36:1 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psalm 113:1 Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Psalm 134:1 A song of ascents. Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
Psalm 135:1 Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord,
Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord?
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
LORD’S SERVANT
2 Chronicles 1:3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert.
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Kings 9:7 You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel.
BONDSERVANT
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant [bond-servant / doulos 1401] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Ephesians 6:6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Philippians 2:7 but [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Colossians 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
1 Timothy 6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
Titus 2:9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Jude 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:
LORD’S SERVANT
2 Kings 9:7 You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel.
2 Chronicles 1:3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert.
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
BKC - 1:34-38. Mary did not seem surprised that the Messiah was to come. Rather, she was surprised that she would be His mother since she was a virgin (lit., “since I do not know a man”). But the angel did not rebuke Mary, as he had rebuked Zechariah (v. 20). This indicates that Mary did not doubt the angel’s words but merely wanted to know how such an event would be accomplished. The answer was that the Holy Spirit would creatively bring about the physical conception of Jesus (v. 35). This miraculous conception and Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ was necessary because of His deity and preexistence (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Gal. 4:4). Like Zechariah, Mary was given a sign: Elizabeth . . . is going to have a child. Mary affirmed her part in her Son’s subsequent birth by assenting to the plan of God: May it be to me as You have said. She willingly submitted to God’s plan, calling herself the Lord’s servant (doulē, “slave”; Lk 1:48)
He aquí la sierva del Señor. Estas palabras de María expresan su humildad y su decisión de rendirse completamente a la voluntad de Dios * Una joven soltera encinta se arriesgaba al desastre. A menos que el padre de la criatura aceptara casarse con ella, había la posibilidad de que quedara sola para toda la vida. Si su padre la rechazaba, podría verse forzada a mendigar o prostituirse a fin de sobrevivir. Y María, con su historia de estar encinta por obra del Espíritu Santo, se arriesgaba también a que la consideraran demente. Con todo y a pesar de los posibles riesgos, María dice: «Hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra». Cuando María lo afirmó, no se imaginaba la tremenda bendición que recibiría. Solo sabía que Dios le pedía que le sirviera y estaba deseosa de hacerlo. No espere ver qué bendición tendrá antes de ofrecerle su vida a Dios. Ofrézcase de buena gana, aun cuando los resultados de hacerlo parezcan desastrosos.* A través de las Escrituras vemos que el anuncio del nacimiento de una criatura provocaba diferentes reacciones. Sara, la esposa de Abraham, se rió (Génesis 18.9–15). Zacarías dudó (Lucas 1.18). Por contraste, María se sometió. Creyó las palabras del ángel y estuvo de acuerdo en tener al bebé, aunque fuera en circunstancias humanamente imposibles. Dios está dispuesto a hacer lo imposible. Nuestra respuesta a sus demandas no debiera motivar risa, temor ni duda, sino aceptación de buena voluntad.
JM - Let it be to me according to your word. Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she faced the stigma of unwed motherhood. Joseph would obviously have known that the child was not his. She knew she would be accused of adultery—an offense punishable by stoning (Deut. 22:13–21; John 8:3–5). Yet she willingly and graciously submitted to the will of God
Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord. May it be with me according to your word! Instead of “handmaid” some insist on the translation “slave.” Most translators and commentators have concluded that in the present context that rendering would not be felicitous.This conclusion is based upon the fact that with the word slave we generally associate the ideas of forced subjection, involuntary service, and (frequently) harsh treatment. On the other hand, Mary’s final reaction was the very opposite. “May it be with me according to your word” reminds one of the humble and fully surrendered attitude of the “Servant” in Isaiah’s great “Servant” passages (42:1–9; 49:1–9a; 50:4–11; and 52:13–53:12). She is and is eager to be “the handmaid of the Lord,” ready to do his will and to be used for carrying out his purpose. In view of the story recorded in Matt. 1:18, 19 this was not easy. Mary knew that becoming pregnant at this particular time, before her marriage to Joseph had been consummated, would expose her to painful criticism and ridicule; perhaps to something even worse (Deut. 22:23 f.). But she made a complete surrender. She placed herself, body and soul, at the disposal of the God who loved her and who, by means of this promised pregnancy and childbirth, was bestowing upon her an inestimable blessing.Gabriel’s mission had been fully accomplished. So we are not surprised to read: Then the angel left her.
Though Mary did not fully comprehend, she believed! Faith means committing one’s way to the Lord, trusting him, knowing that he will do whatever is best (Ps. 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: ) even when you don’t understand God’s plan]
δούλη, servant girl, handmaid. See also 1:48 and Acts 2:18
Faith (Luke 1:26–38) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel brought a second birth announcement, this time to a young virgin in Nazareth named Mary. At least there was variety in his assignments: an old man, a young woman; a priest, a descendent of David, the king; the temple, a common home; Jerusalem, Nazareth; unbelief, faith. The people in Judah disdained the Jews in Galilee and claimed they were not “kosher” because of their contacts with the Gentiles there (Matt. 4:15). They especially despised the people from Nazareth (John 1:45–46). But God in His grace chose a girl from Nazareth in Galilee to be the mother of the promised Messiah! When it comes to Mary, people tend to go to one of two extremes. They either magnify her so much that Jesus takes second place (Luke 1:32), or they ignore her and fail to give her the esteem she deserves (Luke 1:48). Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, called her “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43); and that is reason enough to honor her. What do we know about Mary? She was a Jewess of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David, and a virgin (Isa. 7:14). She was engaged to a carpenter in Nazareth named Joseph (Matt. 13:55), and apparently both of them were poor (Lev. 12:8; Luke 2:24). Among the Jews at that time, engagement was almost as binding as marriage and could be broken only by divorce. In fact, the man and the woman were called “husband” and “wife” even before the marriage took place (compare Matt. 1:19 and Luke 2:5). Since Jewish girls married young, it is likely that Mary was a teenager when the angel appeared to her. Mary’s surprise (vv. 26–33). When you consider Gabriel’s greeting, you can well understand why Mary was perplexed and afraid: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!” (The phrase Blessed art thou among women is not found here in many Greek manuscripts. You find it in Luke 1:42.) Why would an angel come to greet her? In what way was she “highly favored” (“greatly graced”) by God? How was God with her? Mary’s response reveals her humility and honesty before God. She certainly never expected to see an angel and receive special favors from heaven. There was nothing unique about her that such things should happen. If she had been different from other Jewish girls, as some theologians claim she was, then she might have said, “Well, it’s about time! I’ve been expecting you!” No, all of this was a surprise to her. Gabriel then gave her the good news: she would become the mother of the promised Messiah whom she would name Jesus (“Jehovah is salvation”; Matt. 1:21). Note that Gabriel affirmed both the deity and the humanity of Jesus. As Mary’s son, He would be human; as Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32), He would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). “For unto us a Child is born [His humanity], unto us a Son is given [His deity]” (Isa. 9:6). The emphasis is on the greatness of the Son (Luke 1:15), not the greatness of the mother. But He would also be a King, inherit David’s throne, and reign over Israel forever! If we interpret literally what Gabriel said in Luke 1:30–31, then we should also interpret literally what he said in Luke 1:32–33. He was referring to God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7) and His kingdom promises to the people of Israel (Isa. 9:1–7; 11–12; 61; 66; Jer. 33). Jesus came to earth to be the Saviour of the world, but He also came to fulfill the promises God made to the Jewish fathers (Rom. 15:14). Today, Jesus is enthroned in heaven (Acts 2:29–36), but it is not on David’s throne. One day Jesus will return and establish His righteous kingdom on earth, and then these promises will be fulfilled. Mary’s surrender (vv. 34–48). Mary knew what would happen, but she did not know how it would happen. Her question in Luke 1:34 was not an evidence of unbelief (Luke 1:18); rather, it was an expression of faith. She believed the promise, but she did not understand the performance. How could a virgin give birth to a child? First, Gabriel explained that this would be a miracle, the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Joseph, her betrothed, would not be the father of the child (Matt. 1:18–25), even though Jesus would be legally identified as the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 1:45; 6:42). It’s possible that some people thought Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph and that Jesus was “born of fornication” (John 8:41). This was a part of the pain that Mary had to bear all her life (Luke 2:35). Gabriel was careful to point out that the Baby would be a “holy thing” and would not share the sinful human nature of man. Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21), He did no sin (1 Peter 2:22), and He had no sin (1 John 3:5). His body was prepared for Him by the Spirit of God (Heb. 10:5) who “overshadowed” Mary. That word is applied to the presence of God in the holy of holies in the Jewish tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:35). Mary’s womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God! The angel ended his message by giving Mary a word of encouragement: her aged relative Elizabeth was with child, proving that “with God nothing shall be impossible.” God gave a similar word to Abraham when He announced the birth of Isaac (Gen. 18:14). That our God can do anything is the witness of many, including Job (Job 42:2), Jeremiah (Jer. 32:17), and even our Lord Jesus (Matt. 19:26). I personally like the translation of this verse found in the 1901 American Standard Version: “For no word of God shall be void of power.” God accomplishes His purposes through the power of His Word (Ps. 33:9). Mary’s believing response was to surrender herself to God as His willing servant. She experienced the grace of God (Luke 1:30) and believed the Word of God, and therefore she could be used by the Spirit to accomplish the will of God. A “handmaid” was the lowest kind of female servant, which shows how much Mary trusted God. She belonged totally to the Lord, body (Luke 1:38), soul (Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord ), and spirit (Luke 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior). What an example for us to follow! (Rom. 12:1–2). * Mary’s marvelous response, “I am the Lord’s servant ... May it be to me as you have said,” is surely one of the great examples of submission in all of Scripture. The reader can scarcely keep from recalling it when Jesus later echoes it in Gethsemane: “Yet not my will but yours be done” (22:42). Mary will function as one of Luke’s model characters, being full of the Holy Spirit, Law-abiding, submissive, humble, poor, and thoughtful. Luke’s Gentile readers would be familiar with the stories of great people whose origin was linked to the initiative of one of the gods. However, unlike many such accounts, Luke has placed his story within a historical setting and has provided no graphic details, such as those present in the pagan stories of gods mating with women. Luke’s story obviously owes more to biblical stories announcing God’s activity in raising up leaders for Israel among those who were not expected to have children. Among other purposes, Luke here shows that Jesus “was already Son of God, Christ, and King before His birth
*Vv. 26—38. Aquí tenemos un relato de la madre de nuestro Señor; aunque no debemos orar a ella, de todos modos debemos alabar a Dios por ella. Cristo debía nacer milagrosamente. El discurso del ángel sólo significa: “Salve, tú que eres la escogida y favorecida especial del Altísimo para tener el honor que las madres judías han deseado por tanto tiempo”. —Esta aparición y saludo prodigiosos turbaron a María. El ángel le aseguró entonces que ella había hallado favor con Dios y que sería la madre de un hijo cuyo nombre ella debía llamar Jesús, el Hijo del Altísimo, uno en naturaleza y perfección con el Señor Dios. ¡JESÚS! El nombre que refresca los espíritus desfallecientes de los pecadores humillados; dulce para pronunciar y dulce de oír, Jesús, el Salvador. No conocemos su riqueza y nuestra pobreza, por tanto, no corremos a Él; no nos damos cuenta que estamos perdidos y pereciendo, en consecuencia, Salvador es palabra de poco deleite. Si estuviéramos convencidos de la inmensa masa de culpa que hay en nosotros, y la ira que pende sobre nosotros, lista para caer sobre nosotros, sería nuestro pensamiento continuo: ¿Es mío el Salvador? Para que podamos hallarlo, debemos pisotear todo lo que estorba nuestro camino a Él. La respuesta de María al ángel fue el lenguaje de la fe y humilde admiración, y ella no pidió señal para confirmar su fe. Sin controversia, grande fue el misterio de la santidad, Dios manifestado en carne, 1 Timoteo iii, 16. La naturaleza humana de Cristo debía producirse de esa manera, para que fuera adecuada para Aquel que iba a ser unido con la naturaleza divina. Debemos, como María aquí, guiar nuestros deseos por la palabra de Dios. En todos los conflictos tenemos que recordar que nada es imposible para Dios; y al leer y oír sus promesas, convirtámoslas en oraciones: He aquí la sierva del Señor; hágase conmigo conforme a tu palabra
*38. Marvellous faith in such circumstances!
*Naturally, the historicity of the virgin birth has been questioned. Some scholars have said that the story was borrowed from the pagan world where heroes were born from the union of gods and human women. These accounts, however, are different from the Lucan and Matthean accounts, for nothing in the latter texts suggests that actual intercourse took place between God and Mary. The words come upon and overshadow in verse 35 do not imply sexual relations, and Luke here describes with great delicacy an incomprehensible event. Others have questioned the veracity of the accounts because of the silence of the rest of the New Testament. The rest of the New Testament, however, does not contradict the present account
*Throughout the annunciation and infancy stories Mary is portrayed as favored of God (v. 30), deeply thoughtful (v. 29; 2:19, 51), obedient (v. 38), believing (v. 45), worshipful (v. 46), and devoted to Jewish law and piety (2:22-51). It is little wonder that Luke names her in the company of believers when the church began (Acts 1:14). Gabriel’s message to Mary is fourfold: she will have a son to be named Jesus (v. 31); the child will be the Son of God (Ps. 2:7) and will occupy forever the throne of David (2 Sam. 7:13-16; Luke 1:32-33); the conception of the child will be effected by the overshadowing descent of God’s Spirit (v. 35; Exod. 40:35; 1 Kings 8:10); as a sign of the truth of the message; and the angel informs Mary of the pregnancy of her kinswoman Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-37). Gabriel’s word concludes with the message to Abraham and Sarah when they doubted the news of the birth of a child: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14). Mary accepts in humble obedience the word from God.
*Mary has difficulty comprehending the announcement. She asks, “How will this be?” She knows she cannot yet have conceived a child, since she is a virgin. The answer comes in terms of God’s creative overshadowing power. Mary’s faith is put on the line at the start. Will she believe that God has the capacity to create life within her? God does not leave her alone in the decision. The angel notes the life that is stirring within the womb of an elderly woman, Elizabeth, Mary’s relative. Thus John serves as a pointer to Jesus not only in his preaching but also in his birth. The angel states the basic premise “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary simply responds in humble acceptance, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”We can only imagine what this announcement required of Mary, especially as her condition became obvious. A hint of the issue is raised in the story of Joseph’s dilemma in Matt 1:18–25. Is God’s power such that he can create life and exercise sovereignty over it? This is a question Jesus’ birth should raise. Would people believe the claims surrounding Jesus? The questions are profound. Wonderful things come in surprising packages, but they can come, because God has the power to deliver them.
*God’s announcement of a child to be born was met with various responses throughout Scripture. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, laughed (Genesis 18:9–15). Zechariah doubted (1:18). By contrast, Mary submitted, knowing that she was merely the servant of the Lord. She believed the angel’s words and agreed to bear the child, even under humanly impossible circumstances, even with difficult social consequences. A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living. She risked losing Joseph, her family, and her reputation. And her story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit risked her being considered crazy as well. Still Mary said, despite the risks, “Let it be with me according to your word.” When Mary said that, she didn’t know about the tremendous opportunity she would have. She took the risk of faith; she didn’t consult with anyone else; she didn’t take time to weigh the pros and cons. She only knew that God was asking her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. Believers need Mary’s kind of trust and responsiveness. Too many wait to see the bottom line before offering themselves to God. God wants willing servants.
*The Virgin Mary’s readiness to follow God’s will for her. Let us note, lastly, the meek and ready acquiescence of the Virgin Mary to God’s revealed will concerning her. She says to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said”. There is greater grace here than at first meets the eye. It was no light matter to become the mother of our Lord in this unheard of and mysterious way. It brought with it, later on, great honor; but for the present it put Mary’s reputation at stake and was a great test of Mary’s faith. All this danger and trial the holy Virgin Mary was willing to risk. She asks no additional questions. She raises no further objections. She accepts the honor placed on her. She says, “I am the Lord’s servant.” The angel helps the Virgin Mary’s faith by telling her about something that will assist her to receive his message. This is how God deals with us. He knows our weakness.
*1. Her name was Mary, the same name with Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron; the name signifies exalted, and a great elevation it was to her indeed to be thus favoured above all the daughters of the house of David. 2. She was a daughter of the royal family, lineally descended from David, and she herself and all her friends knew it, for she went under the title and character of the house of David, though she was poor and low in the world; and she was enabled by God’s providence, and the care of the Jews, to preserve their genealogies, to make it out, and as long as the promise of the Messiah was to be fulfilled it was worth keeping; but for those now, who are brought low in the world, to have descended from persons of honour, is not worth mentioning. 3. She was a virgin, a pure unspotted one, but espoused to one of the same royal stock, like her, however, of low estate; so that upon both accounts there was (as it was fit there should be) an equality between them; his name was Joseph; he also was of the house of David, Mt. 1:20. Christ’s mother was a virgin, because he was not to be born by ordinary generation, but miraculously; it was necessary that he should be so, that, though he must partake of the nature of man, yet not of the corruption of that nature: but he was born of a virgin espoused, made up to be married, and contracted, to put honour upon the married state, that that might not be brought into contempt (which was an ordinance in innocency) by the Redeemer’s being born of a virgin. 4. She lived in Nazareth, a city of Galilee, a remote corner of the country, and in no reputation for religion or learning, but which bordered upon the heathen, and therefore was called Galilee of the Gentiles. Christ’s having his relations resident there intimates favour in reserve for the Gentile world. Jonah was by birth a Galilean, and Elijah and Elisha very much conversant in Galilee, who were all famous prophets of the Gentiles. The angel was sent to her from Nazareth. Note, No distance or disadvantage of place shall be a prejudice to those for whom God has favours in store. The angel Gabriel carries his message as cheerfully to Mary and Nazareth in Galilee as to Zacharias in the temple at Jerusalem
*Maidservant suggests humility before the Lord and a readiness for faithful and obedient service, which should characterize every believer. Paul uses the masculine form of this word to describe himself (Rom. 1:1)
*According to your word is Mary’s commitment to God’s will. She faced overwhelming social pressures because she would be pregnant with Jesus before marrying Joseph. Her humble willingness is a model of trust for all of us. Her faith (v. 45) contrasts with the unbelief of Zacharias (vv. 18–20)
Great Titles: Children of God….Christian…..”the Lord’s servant”
*Mary's submission is a very lovely thing. —Barclay's Daily Study Bible
*Thought 1. There are two striking lessons in the purity of Mary.
1) God expects both women and men to be sexually pure, untouched by a man or woman until they are married.
2) God is looking for pure women and men to use in the ministry of the gospel and in meeting the desperate needs of the world.
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour....For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thes. 4:3-4, 7).
"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:1-2).
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints" (Ephes. 5:3).
"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22).
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness....that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:3-5).
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" (Rev. 14:4).
Thought 1. God expects us to believe Him and His power, regardless of circumstances and our feelings of insignificance.
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).
"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee" (Job 42:2).
"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3).
Thought 1. Surrender to God is an absolute essential both for salvation and service.
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50).
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:17).
"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8).
"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness" (Psalm 143:10).
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways" (Proverbs 23:26).
*38 Mary's exemplary attitude of servanthood recalls that of Hannah, when she was praying for a son (1Sam 1:11, where the LXX also has doule, "servant"). Nothing is said about the relation of Mary's submission to her consciousness of the shame a premarital pregnancy could bring her. Her servanthood is not a cringing slavery but a submission to God that in OT times characterized genuine believers and that should characterize believers today (cf. v. 48). Understandably Mary doubtless felt an empathy with Hannah's sense of being at the Lord's disposal in part of life a woman before modern times had little or no control over. Mary's trusting submission at this point in her life may be compared with her attitude toward her Son later on (John 2:5).
1401. δοῦλος doúlos; gen. doúlou, masc. noun. A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other (Matt. 8:9; 20:27; 24:45, 46). Generally one serving, bound to serve, in bondage (Rom. 6:16, 17).
(I) A slave, servant, spoken of involuntary service, a slave as opposed to a free man (eleútheros [1658]; 1 Cor. 7:21; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11; Rev. 6:15). Also generally a servant (Matt. 13:27, 28; John 4:51; Acts 2:18; Eph. 6:5; 1 Tim. 6:1; Sept.: Lev. 25:44; Josh. 9:23; Judg. 6:27). In Phil. 2:7, having taken “the form of a servant,” means appearing in a humble and despised condition.
(II) Metaphorically spoken of voluntary service, a servant, implying obedience, devotion (John 15:15; Rom. 6:16). Implying modesty (2 Cor. 4:5); in praise of modesty (Matt. 20:27; Mark 10:44). Spoken of the true followers and worshipers of God, a servant of God, either of agents sent from God, as Moses (Rev. 15:3; Josh. 1:1) or prophets (Rev. 10:7; 11:18; Sept.: Josh. 24:29; Jer. 7:25), or simply of the worshipers of God (Rev. 2:20; 7:3; 19:5; Sept.: Ps. 34:22; 134:1); the followers and ministers of Christ (Eph. 6:6; 2 Tim. 2:24); especially applied to the Apostles (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1). Used instead of the personal pron. in the oriental style of addressing a superior (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:29; Sept.: 1 Sam. 3:9, 10; Ps. 19:12). In respect of things, one such as the servant of sin who indulges in or is addicted to something (John 8:34; Rom. 6:16, 17; 2 Pet. 2:19).
(III) In the sense of minister, attendant, spoken of the officers of an oriental court (Matt. 18:23, 26–28, 32; 22:3, 4, 6, 8, 10).
Deriv.: doulagōgéō (1396), to be a slave driver; douleúō (1398), to be a slave to, to serve; doulóō (1402), to make a slave or bring someone into slavery; súndoulos (4889), fellow slave.
Syn.: diákonos (1249), a deacon, servant, minister; país (3816), literally “a child,” but also an attendant, servant; oikétēs (3610), a house servant; hupērétēs (5257), a servant; therápōn (2324), a healer who also cares, an attendant servant; místhios (3407) and misthōtós (3411), a hired servant.
Ant.: hodēgós (3595), a leader on the way, a guide; kúrios (2962), lord, master; despótēs (1203), despot, an absolute ruler; proïstámenos (the mid. part. of proı̈́stēmi [4291]), to stand before or in rank above, person ranking ahead or above; oikodespótēs (3617), householder, head of a family or master of the house; eleútheros (1658), a free man; dunástēs (1413), ruler, potentate
BONDMAN, BONDMAID
DOULOS (δοῦλος , (1401)), from deō, to bind, a slave, originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean one who gives himself up to the will of another, 1 Cor. 7:23; Rom. 6:17, 20, and became the most common and general word for “servant,” as in Matt. 8:9, without any idea of bondage. In calling himself, however, a ‘bondslave of Jesus Christ,’Rom. 1:1, the Apostle Paul intimates (1) that he had been formerly a bondslave of Satan, and (2) that, having been bought by Christ, he was now a willing slave, bound to his new Master. The feminine, doulē, signifies a handmaid, Luke 1:38, 48; Acts 2:18 Even on my servants 1401, both men 1401 and women 1401 I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy
PAIDISKĒ (παιδίσκη , (3814)), a young girl, maiden, also denoted a young female slave, bondwoman, or handmaid. For the A.V., “bondmaid” or “bondwoman,” in Gal. 4:22, 23, 30, 31, the R.V. has “handmaid.
Luke 17:7-10 “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’
*The point of this parable was that a servant should expect no special reward for doing what was his duty in the first place. The demanding standards Christ set (1–4) may have seemed too high to the disciples, but they represented only the minimal duties for a servant of Christ. Those who obey are not to think their obedience is meritorious. unprofitable servants. I.e., not worthy of any special honor
* The disciples’ second responsibility toward God was humble service (7-10). They should not expect special praise for doing things they were expected to do. A servant does not get special praise from his master for doing his job. Likewise disciples have certain responsibilities which they are to fulfill in humility as God’s unworthy (achreioi, “good for nothing,” used elsewhere only in Matt. 25:30) servants.
* Thanks were considered unnecessary for a slave. Because he belonged to his master, the slave could never do more than his duty. Jesus tells us this is the right attitude for us to take toward God. We can never do all, or even a significant part, to repay God for what He has done for us
MISC
Matt 13:55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Mark 6:3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Luke 1:27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.