Cornerstone

Luke 1:46

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord

You probably have seen the bumper stickers, “My child is an Honor Student at *** High School.” Maybe you haven’t seen the bumper sticker that says, “My child could be an Honor Student if he tried harder.” Two sloughs are hanging from a tree limb. One of them says to the other, “My parents say I am dead lazy. They are very proud of me.” What makes a parent tell with pride how their toddler flushed his diaper down the toilet? Parental pride . . . most of us are guilty.

More than parental pride is displayed in our devotional reading today. Few parents have had the impulse to cast themselves at the feet of their child to worship. Mary was in an exceptional situation. Barely pregnant she recognizes her station in life and gives honor and glory to the Lord who has given her the privilege of carrying Him in her womb. Praise wells up in her heart for the God to whom she is going to give birth as she says, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” Truly she was blessed beyond measure.

Mary carried the baby God in her womb. We have him in our heart and lives. Our praise for Him should be just as magnanimous.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Matthew 1:18

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
God without embarrassment or excuse gave an explanation of the birth of Jesus which had to sound fantastic and suspect. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise . . . “

From the very first, faith is required to believe in Jesus. Faith is necessary as the messianic prophesies are read. Faith is necessary as the virgin birth is considered. The requirement of faith follows the life of Jesus step by step past the cross, through the resurrection morn to the mount as He ascends into heaven.

Millard Erickson says, “Next to the resurrection, the most debated and controversial event of Jesus’ life is the virgin birth.” A Newsweek Poll found that 84% of American adults call themselves Christian, 82% see Jesus as the son of God, and 79% believe in the Virgin Birth. (Newsweek 12/13/04) Faith is the issue. Even some who call themselves Christians have difficulty with faith when it comes to the Virgin Birth. And yet, God did not given an uncertain answer to the question about Jesus’ birth. Before Mary and Joseph came together, “ . . . she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

Dr. Gayle Woods