Jesus the Christ Chapter 7

Some brief thoughts:

In recent years I’ve thought more about Mary and her experience as the mother of God. This chapter added some new ideas into that. I really like the idea that Gabriel “suggested” that Mary go to visit Elizabeth. What a relief that must have been to know there was someone she could talk to. Their relationship reminds me that there are so many “older” women that I can be friends with and learn from.

I really appreciate what a great man Joseph must have been. And this blows me away: “Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king; and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” I love how in the narrative of Christ, everything is so upside down. Like Talmage points out, John’s birth was declared in the Temple, while Jesus’ was declared in a humble little house. He was born to a carpenter who should have been king, in a stable instead of a palace. Everything about His birth was as humble as humanly possible, as unassuming, and small and quiet.

An additional thought inspired by a lesson in church yesterday: We’re told that as we follow Christ we will have a remission of our sins. It’s interesting to me to think of that in terms of a disease- like a cancer patient going into remission. We won’t just be cleansed of our sins, but will be in a state of remission when it comes to sin.

2 thoughts on “Jesus the Christ Chapter 7

  1. that’s a great point, maryanne, about the remission of our sins. it reminds me that in this life we are made perfect in christ, not perfect on our own. believing christ talks about this.

    i also liked the idea that Zacharias’ words to baby john are a part of christian worship:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsdZBaI74w

    i know the magnificat (elzabeth’s words to mary) are also a part of much worship:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh-PvbX2hd8

    both of these reminded me of your comments a few blogs ago about worshiping at church, and i think music can help us do that. for me, i want to spend more time in the psalms and in prayers that don’t ask god for anything, just offer gratitude and praise.

    i’m so enjoying reading the book with you maryanne 🙂

  2. Maryanne on

    Yay, I’m off to check out those videos. A big yes on music aiding in worship- as I just mentioned in the most recent post, I’m realizing that a lot of worship is in music and singing- still figuring out why. I love the idea of spending time in the psalms, I think I need to do that.

    I’m so enjoying reading it with you too!

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