Highs And Lows // Turning Disappointment Into Divine Purpose

HIGHS & LOWS 

Mary agrees to God's plan.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38a (NIV)

Mary goes through disappointment. 

After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.      Luke 2:43 - 45 (NIV)

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers … His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?”    Luke 2:46, 48 - 49 (NIV)

Mary is surprised and confused. 

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

John 2:3 - 5 (NIV) 

When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”    Mark 3:21 (NIV)

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31 - 35 (NLT)

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.    Romans 16:13 (NIV) 

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”    Luke 11:27 - 28 (NIV)

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.’” Matthew 10:34 - 35 (NIV)  

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37 - 38 (NIV) 

Mary was heartbroken. 

“And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”   Luke 2:35b (NIV)

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”  and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.         John 19:26 - 27 (NIV) 

Mary went from being the Mother of Jesus, to being a Follower of Jesus. 

They all met together constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.   Acts 1:14 (NLT)