The Encouragement Among Believers Series

Grace Community Church

Winchester, VA

Rev. Bradford Reaves, Sr. Pastor

www.GraceCommunity.com

Watch this message https://youtu.be/dmWN4pn5UVY

Introduction

Have you ever had a situation, where you did the right thing, but the people around you were actually disappointed or angry with you?

Over the last several weeks we were introduced to Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was a young girl, between 12-13, set to marry Joseph. She is described as having favor with God. Suddenly, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.(Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

Good news right? It is absolutely and we are told that Mary said to Gabriel, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Lk 1:38. But there is no indication of naivety here. Would Mary and Joseph’s family share Mary’s faith? Would Joseph? Would her community? The penalty for adultery is stoning, and pregnancy during the betrothal would be evidence of adultery. It would bring shame to Mary’s family.

The enormity of the situation is beyond the ability of a young girl barely into her teens. Mary would have been illiterate with no skills or resources. Her only defense when it is discovered she is pregnant would be, “I am a virgin and I am carrying God’s son.” Would you believe her? Can you imagine the burden she felt? There is no indication that she was afraid. But there is also no indication she is naive to the weightiness of the situation either. The more I study Mary, the more I am astonished at Mary’s bravery and maturity.

"No one ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear." (Unknown)

Let me also say this, the person who accepts the role of Christian leadership find themselves in a very lonely place. The burdens of leadership can seem overwhelming at times and they are not meant to be shouldered alone. At the same time, we must be very careful about who we ask to help shoulder that burden. There are people God never intended or equipped to carry what you carry as a leader.

Whether you are a leader or not, life will deliver its fair share of burdens. So what do you do when faced with life’s burdens? Some people try to “suck it up”, hide it, retreat to seclusion. Others turn to unhealthy and even self-destructive behaviors. Many Christians retreat from their church community. Other people have learned to cling to prayer, the strength of others, and they’ve learned to worship in the storm.

I. Mary Went With Haste

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. (Luke 1:39-41)

The two important words here are the operant (Mary went) and the descriptor (with haste). Luke doesn’t provide us with the reasoning behind Mary’s quick departure. Gabriel doesn’t tell Mary she needed to go visit Elizabeth; perhaps it’s implied. For Mary to travel during her Betrothal would be unusual. Luke only tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth live in Judea Hill Country. Probably, somewhere near Jerusalem since Zechariah was a priest. That means that Mary would have traveled 60 or 70 miles through the rugged terrain.

I think Mary’s departure is a further reflection of her faith. Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth is pregnant and Mary goes there. Mary would understand the significance and the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. There is a Divine bond that now exists between Mary and Elizabeth. Her need to go is likely for mutual support. If anyone would understand about Mary’s situation, it would be Elizabeth and visa-versa.

The message here is that we are to be intentional and quick with encouraging each other. There is a precedence in our going to others. We follow the Spirit and we don’t lag behind, even do so at great risk or cost. God places believers together and we are to continually encourage each other and help each other with burdens

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 ESV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 ESV)

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)