When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. - Galations 4:4-5
So often when we think of Jesus, it's easy to forget that he had brothers and sisters born from his mother Mary and Joseph. Session one is awesome to me in that it introduces us to James, the brother of Jesus! We know him from his writings in the bible, but it's incredible to get to know the man he was and the man he became.
Let's start with a discussion of a few of the questions from Day One:
In Reading Matthew 2:21-23, Where did the young family settle and why?
Emily: They went to the land of Israel, specifically Judea, but once again Joseph was warned in a dream and to they ended up in Galilee. Can I just mention how incredible it would be if God would speak to me in dreams? And then I wonder if He does try to communicate with me in ways but I am just not paying attention. It seems to me that by this time Joseph was expecting God to show up. Imagine living with that expectation?!
Read Luke 2:34-35. Put yourself in Mary's sandals. What impact would Simeon's words have on you?
Emily: I think I would have been wondering why God chose me for this. Would I be strong enough to handle what was coming? I think I would also be feeling a sense of dread for what had already happened and the uncertainty of what was to come.
Other things I thought about: James was the second in birth order but the first of Joseph's biological sons. In that culture, what baggage did that give James as he grew. Did he resent Jesus, especially as he was without sin?
Share your thoughts, girls! Can't wait to see what spoke to you on this day!
Jill:
ReplyDeleteMatthew 2:21-23 They finally ended up in the town of Nazareth. Which fulfilled what the prophets has said: "he will be called a Nazarene" I like Emily wonder if God uses dreams to help guide us in our journey. I try to pay attention to dreams that stir up some sort of feeling in me. If I dream of a certain friend I try to contact them. Maybe they need something, or just someone to talk to. But I can not imagine what it must be like to "KNOW" that an angle of God came to me in a dream. What a special thing that must have been.
Luke 2:34-35
As I was reading this passage the thing that came to mind if I was Mary, was how terrifying this must be for her. Not to mention the responsibility to mother the Lord. Wow. I would be scared to death, am I doing this right, should I do this or that with Him. But at the same time what an absolute honor that must be to know God choose you to be the mother of His Son. And to know that HE has come, after all this time HE has come, The redeemer. Wow just wow!!!!
What I found interesting about Day One is that fact that it appears James along with his other brothers didnt believe that Jesus was THE ONE. They thought he was "out of his mind" Mark 3:21. That really struck me, I just assumed since Mary and Joseph knew the others must have know also. How intersting. I like how she is trying to get us to understand the family dynamic as a REAL family, what would it be like to peak in on their home life. I've never done that before, but it makes it more real to me. He was a REAL person living with parents, and siblings, and eating together, etc.
Oh and during the audio I loved how she said Jesus is not interested in being a public figure but our personal savior. WOW. That really struck a cord with me also. That kind of explains a lot of things or questions I have or have heard other say "Why doesnt He just show up and prove He is God" because He isnt interested in being a public figure but our personal savior.
I am LOVING this already ladies.
Jill:
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about this. Funny how random things pop into my head. Anyway. As the younger sibling I know what it is like to look up to my older sibling and be jealous. He gets to stay up later than me, he gets to go out on a school night, he gets to go to the movies with out a parent, etc etc etc. And my brother was human. Can you imagine being the younger sibling and having Jesus as a brother who actually is perfect (in every way). My flawed human self would be so frustrated. Not only was he the oldest male sibling so I am sure there were special privileges that went along with that back then, but to actually be perfect. I wonder if Mary treated him any different than the other kids? I bet that would be hard for her, he is her child just like the rest, he should clean up after himself, do his school work, etc but he IS the LORD (and not like the rest). Maybe it is a good thing the other kids didnt realize who He was. I grew up thinking my brother had it made, he was oldest, a boy, the twin of my dad, every thing he did I thought was perfect. But to have a brother who actual WAS perfect, AND knowing he was the Son of God. I couldnt have handled that.
What do you think?
Lisa:
ReplyDeleteMatthew 2:21-23
It's pretty cut and dry where the family settled and why, but it is amazing to think that God changed their course again, and by doing so, once again fulfilled the prophecy. I'm sure in the middle of this chaotic time prophecy was not in the minds of Mary and Joseph, but how amazing at how God puts all the pieces together in His perfect timing!
Luke 2:34-35
I think it would be really hard to hear these words. Simeon really didn't have any positive words, and he includes that both Mary and Jesus will suffer.
As a mother, I am devastated to the core when I know one of my children will suffer. It would be Mary's natural instinct to want to step in and protect him, and I wonder if she allowed herself to overprotect in a way. If this is indeed the case, then this too would have given Jesus' other siblings reason to resent their oldest brother.
I had never thought about what you said, Emily, about James being Joseph's oldest natural son. I suppose he would be the one to inherit the land and become the head of the family, but how do you explain that to the rest of the town?
I've always wondered, like Jill, if Mary and Joseph knew who Jesus was (and I'm sure they did, as they had both been told by angels...) how could the siblings not know. But, no angels came to them. And, even if Mary and Joseph had shared their amazing experiences with the kids, they may have thought their parents were a little off, and this would cause the jealousy and feelings that Jesus was the favored one to grow.
So far, AMAZING! I love how Beth Moore uncovers the Scriptures that we have read several times before in a way that we have never read them! Here we go, girls!
Emily:
ReplyDeleteI just had a conversation last night with Ava in tears about how her brother was better than her at everything. I did my best to explain that as the oldest, he should be reading harder books, doing harder math, running farther/faster and yes, winning board games. Not that she can't challenge herself to improve, but he is OLDER. It made me think about the dynamic between Jesus and James again. There is naturally that birth order sibling stuff but man! When your sibling is the Son of God? How in the world do you not resent that?
Jill:
ReplyDeleteOr how about this Emily: James thinking: "Why couldnt I be the Son of God". "Arent I good enough?"
I have a feeling Satan was working James pretty hard. Putting doubts in his head or resentment, or anger, or jealousy or all of them.
Poor James
Jill your insights are so awesome! You're right. I bet Satan was working overtime on James because if the family of Jesus didn't even believe in Him, then why on earth should strangers?
ReplyDelete