Mary in the Life of Jesus.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a very significant influence in the life of Jesus. Many of Mary's own words and sentiments as expressed in Luke chapter 1 are echoed in Jesus, life, ministry and teachings. The concepts illustrated are: 1) Servitude (Luke 1:38.) Here Mary states, "I am the LORD's servant." The gospels make clear that Jesus took the same attitude. 2) Humbling the prideful and exalting the lowly (Luke 1:52.) Jesus illustrates this through parables as well as his own actions. 3) Filling of the hungry, but sending the rich away empty (Luke 1:53.) This is again demonstrated by Jesus' actions, parables and the performance of signs miracles and wonders.
Servitude.
Jesus clearly teaches on and demonstrates the notion of loving servitude. He says himself that he, "came as a servant" (Lk 22:27c.) In Mark 10:26-28, Jesus says that the greatest must serve. Likewise, he relates that the Son of Man (referring to himself) did not come to be served, but to, "serve and give his life as a ransom for many." The cross is an effective symbol illustrative of the servile work of Christ as redeemer. Jesus also admonishes his followers to take up their own cross (representing self-denying acts of servitude) in order to find eternal life. This notion is again demonstrated in John 13:1-17 & 34-35, at the Last Supper, when Jesus washes his disciples' feet and admonishes them to love one another. Jesus also promises an eternal reward for such behavior (Mt 10:42) "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Humbling the prideful and exaltation of the lowly.
Jesus demonstrates the notion of the prideful being humbled and the...
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