The Bondservant of the LORD

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

(Micah 5:2 ESV)

(The Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel)

Have you ever felt threatened and responded by doing something extreme or irrational? Well, it seems several people were feeling threatened in those first few chapters of Matthew’s Gospel and at least one responded irrationally.

Herod felt so threatened by the birth of Jesus that he killed all the children under two years old in Bethlehem. Matthew points to an Old Testament prophecy about Bethlehem, "from which shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Micah 5:2) Herod's scholars researched and delivered the information to the uneasy king. Matthew also points to the prophecy in (Jeremiah 31:15). The entire chapter 31 talks about God turning mourning into joy and establishing a new covenant with the house of Israel. Here, amidst this terrible tragedy and mourning, God brought joy in the birth of Jesus Messiah. The new covenant came to earth. Bethlehem means House of Bread. From the house of bread came the bread of life, and we are all the blessed because of it.

The Wise Men felt threatened by Herod and departed to their own country another way. But not before they followed the star to the house where the child was, and then "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matt2:7-12 ESV)

Joseph felt threatened for Mary's safety and then for the safety of Jesus. Like the Wise Men, Joseph was warned by God about what to do, and he did it. I have to give major props to Joseph. He must have been a kind man to begin with, for worrying about Mary's life rather than the possibility that she had cheated on him. Then, for responding to God's warning in his dreams. They must have been potent and he was not proud, so the child Messiah was kept alive because of this one man's obedience.

Matthew writes, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 1:18 ESV) Matthew does not say how Mary felt about her situation. The aim of his writing was to record the facts of Jesus Messiah’s life and words for the Jewish believers before he was to leave them. Matthew neglected to convey Mary’s feelings in his writing. But, I believe, he must have known something of how she felt.

(Jesus of Nazareth: Mary and baby Jesus)

During the church age, after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Mary was still alive. Perhaps, in some context, Mary had opportunity to share her testimony and perhaps Matthew heard or even interviewed her. That is what writer’s do…they interview their sources.

Luke was also a Gospel writer. I don’t know if he interviewed Mary, but as a writer, he provides a greater depth to Mary’s story. (Luke 1:26-38)

After reading Luke's account, I can only imagine Mary must have been flabbergasted to receive the visit from the angel Gabriel, and then discover she was indeed with child—still being a virgin. Matthew wrote that Mary was with child from the Holy Spirit and Luke confirms this in his writing (Luke 1:35). Perhaps when telling her story, Mary expressed she understood her predicament and its source. Though socially and emotionally uncomfortable, her situation was a work by the Holy Spirit and she accepted it as good. Proof of this is found in her response to Elizabeth, (Luke 1:46-55 ESV / The Magnificat). Mary understood the essential nature of her situation, and of God, to be good. Pondering that thought alone is enough for me today.

I have to ask myself; how do I view my situations? Am I miserable in my life circumstances? Am I blaming God for putting me in my predicament, or blaming God for the situation of others? Is God a terrible ogre or uncaring fiend who simply enjoys trifling with the lives of humans as if they were chess pieces on a cosmic board? That is how the world thinks--only seeing life from a human perspective. Mary, the soon-to-be new and unwed mother, chose to view her circumstances from a heavenly perspective. God made a promise through Gabriel and Mary placed herself in the all-capable hands of the Almighty God when she said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV)

The Greek word used for servant is actually the word bondservant, which is someone who willingly chooses enslavement to a Master. The bondservants would bind themselves to their Masters by having an awl (ring) placed in their ear. Where the person could have been freed, instead they chose to serve. This was Mary’s statement. She was choosing to be a bondservant, to serve, even though it might cost her humiliation, discomfort and everything she held dear.

This reminds me of a funny story. Once upon a time, back in the day, our church held a concert with Randy Stonehill as the musical guest. Because I was helping to coordinate the event, I assigned myself the task of making sure Mr. Stonehill had everything he needed. I was there to be his personal slave. During a rehearsal, he asked for a cup of water. I fetched it and as I passed my pastor, I punned, “Behold I am the handmaiden of Randy Stonehill.” Later, I knelt on the floor changing the broken shoelaces on his very cool performance shoes. I thought of Abigail from (1 Sam 25:41) another bondservant who was willing to wash the feet of David’s servants. I wasn’t sure I was ready to go that far, and wash Randy Stonehill’s feet, but there I was kneeling on the floor dealing with his shoes and somehow I felt a kinship with Abigail. Anyway, we had a great concert and afterwards my pastor drove the musical giant to his hotel for the night. Shyly, Randy Stonehill asked for his honorarium. My pastor immediately responded, “Your handmaiden forgot to give it to you.” Yeah, we laugh about it now, but at the time it was embarrassing and I felt bad for Randy Stonehill having to ask to be paid. He probably thought we were trying to bamboozle him. I felt like such a failure. Anyway, I did show up the next morning and pay the man, and he was very gracious about it all.

Mary understood the challenge. She faced humiliation and possibly death, regardless she responded with a willingness to serve, no matter what would come. What challenges do I face today? Whatever they are, I must be willing and able to view my life from God’s perspective. I must remain convinced, in this cynical world, of God and His goodness. I must place myself, daily, in His capable hands if I am to echo the words of Mary and experience the joy she had in fulfilling God’s plan for her life.

I think Mary and her Son were as beautiful as this tribute relays. Paste address in your browser if the link does not work. I hope you enjoy the tribute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bog6aaSwIY4