Mary – Three Minute Bible

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020

1 Peter 3:5-6(a) — The Brush

Picture: Photo of a man's face with a large brush stroke of color across it.

For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.

Today’s passage is interesting. If I read through it quickly, I think, “That’s nice…” But, if I stop and think about what Peter is saying, I have to cringe a little.

Peter begins by talking about “the holy women of the past.” That is a broad brush to paint a picture with! It includes all holy women in the Bible. Who would you put on that list? Who wouldn’t make the cut?

March 17, 2019March 15, 2019

Pointer – John 12: 9

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

As people gather around the house that Jesus is in, the crowd grows. Already the small dwelling was full. Jesus’ disciples, and the friends and family that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus may have invited are there. Now the crowd presses in.

Lazarus has become a sort of celebrity. Once dead, now alive, I am sure people had many questions for him. In every case, I suspect that the answer Lazarus gave was, “Jesus.”

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

Fragrance – John 12: 3

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Jesus has been invited to be the guest of honor in Bethany. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are honoring their Lord. This would not have been a casual affair, at least not as I picture it. I see smiles and joy, but also a room full of awe. All the people in the house are in the presence of the one called Jesus, the one who raised Lazarus from the dead.

As the meal progressed, Mary comes and sits at Jesus’ feet. Luke 10: 38-42 records that this was not the first time Mary had sat at the feet of Jesus. The first time she sat in awe of what he said. This time she is in awe of who Jesus is.

In my mind’s eye, the room is full of people, and Jesus is the center of attention. The aroma of nard fills the room. Conversation stops, and now Mary is the center of attention. What is she doing?

December 29, 2018December 28, 2018

Remembering

Imagine two old shepherds sitting around the fire reminiscing about the “good ol’ days” when they were younger and would spend all of their time with the sheep. The fire crackles gently as the cool of evening settles in around them like a dark blue shawl on their shoulders. The stars begin to come out and one shepherd says to the other, “Remember that night when the stars came alive and we heard angels speak and saw the baby Messiah?”

December 25, 2018December 24, 2018

Merry Christmas!

Birthdays are a time for celebrating life, and this birthday for Jesus is no different. Even though his life will bring him suffering and pain on our behalf, we still celebrate his arrival with great joy and gladness, worshipful music, and the giving of gifts.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2: 6-7

Somehow being merry on this special day seems out of place from a worldly perspective. After all the young couple had been forced to travel well over 70 miles on foot and by donkey. When they arrived at Bethlehem from Nazareth there was no place to stay.

December 8, 2018December 9, 2018

Baby John

This time of year we hear a lot about “the baby Jesus,” but no one ever seems to talk about “the baby John.” From a human perspective, John is a very important person in history holding a place of renown. He was the one who announced the arrival of Jesus, did the advanced groundwork, prepared the hearts of the people to be repentant and open to God’s will, and baptized the Savior himself. From God’s perspective, however, John is just a herald: No more than the guy in the Robin Hood story who rides out on a horse bearing a trumpet and a scroll to read from. He gets people’s attention and then relays the royal decree. Exit stage right.

Even so, this herald is very important to God’s plan. God fills John with the Holy Spirit from birth and keeps him set apart for a very special use. Today’s story is the follow up to the angel’s announcement of the coming birth.

Luke 1: 56-64

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.