Mary Had A Little Lamb

Intro: In our childhoods, most of us learned the little song entitled, "Mary Had A Little Lamb.” It went something like this,

"Mary had a little lamb.

Its fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went.

That lamb was sure to go."

There’s more to the story, but those few lines are enough to remind us of that little childhood song. As we sang that song while we were children, we had no idea that something like that had actually happened. It never dawned on our childish minds that the Bible told the same story. That a young girl named Mary did indeed have a little lamb.

Well, that’s what is happening in these verses in Luke’s Gospel. It seems that Joseph is engaged to a young Jewish maiden named Mary. In Matthew – 1st chapter we find Joe has heard the rumor around town that Mary is pregnant by somebody. He believes that Mary has been unfaithful to him and he decides not to marry her. Yet, because he loves Mary, he wants to do this thing quietly because the penalty for committing Mary’s crime was death by stoning. However, before he can put his plan into action, God sends and angel to tell Joseph “don’t get it twisted, God is in this plan.” He tells this man that Mary is carrying a child that was miraculously fathered by the Holy Spirit of God. He is told that this child will be a special child with a special mission. That, in fact, this child is to be the Savior, the Lamb of God.

Joseph’s reaction is to take Mary into his home and wait with her until the day the baby is born. What they didn’t realize is that this baby who was growing in Mary’s body was none other than the Lamb of God who would one day die for the sins of all men. The scripture in the 1st chapter of Matthew & the 2nd chapter of Luke tells us that Mary had a little lamb. Kirk Franklin’s song says now behold the lamb, the precious Lamb of God, born into sin that we may live again. The precious Lamb of God! What a marvelous revelation that word gives to those of us who were once lost in darkness but saved by this little lamb. Mary had a little lamb. In one of the greatest stories in all of Scripture, we learn the truth that Mary Had A Little Lamb. It is that Lamb, the Lord Jesus that I would like to speak about this morning. I would like to share three characteristics of Mary’s little Lamb with you today.

I. MARY’S LAMB WAS A SPECIAL LAMB

A. His Conception Was Special - Jesus Christ had no human father! He Father is God Himself! What makes the conception of the Lord Jesus so fantastic is the fact that He was born to a virgin! Now. We all know the traditional method by which babies are conceived and brought into this world. However, the conception of Jesus was different! His mother was a virgin, Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:34-35.

(Ill. This is an essential doctrine! Without a virgin birth, we do not have a sinless Savior and we have no hope of salvation. It is impossible to be saved and deny the truth of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ!)

This special Lamb was specially conceived especially for God’s once “special” children so that they would become precious.

B. His Conduct Was Special - From the day Jesus came into this world until the day He ascended back into Heaven, He was a Person of very special characteristics.

1. Miracles. He could feed multitudes, open blinded eyes, heal the sick and even raise the dead. Walking on water posed no problem for Mary’s little lamb; neither did stilling a violent storm. Everything He did marked Him as being special.

2. Messages - When Jesus opened His mouth, people marveled at the things He said. Even when He was only 12, the doctors of the Law were astonished at Him, Luke 2:47. When He began His ministry, He continued to amaze the crowds that heard Him speak, John 7:46; Luke 4:22.

3. Methods - Even the way Jesus carried Himself set Him apart from all the others around Him. Never did He stoop to the level of His enemies, but He always kept His Father’s will the center of His focus. Nothing mattered to Jesus but pleasing the Heavenly Father, John 8:29.

This special Lamb that Mary had is a prime example of how we the once “special” kids made precious should act. Our conduct should mimic that of a loving lamb who came to be an example.

Our actions should reflect that our sole purpose is to please a God who loved us enough to send us Mary’s little Lamb.