Mary of Nazareth
Grace and Peace to you, and Blessed Advent. Today we begin our series with a reflection on Mary of Nazareth. There are a couple of really cool details about Mary’s backstory, her hometown and some of the archaeological history that we would certainly miss on a quick read of the story. They don’t change the story at all, but actually highlight and help us dive into the story more fully. Mary grew up in a town called Nazareth, in Galilee. Nazareth, at that time was a pretty small, poor town. It’s estimated that about 100-400 people lived there. There was—well, still is—a spring there. That source of water is why there is a town there at all. But nearby Nazareth there’s a town called Sepphoris. Sepphoris was a much bigger city—30,000 people at that time, with lots of wealth and culture, big buildings, and art. It sounds like a pretty nice place. But Mary—she was from Nazareth, where the people lived in poverty. Sepphoris had some nice buildings and homes at the time, but in Nazareth the most of the people lived in limestone caves. Did I say caves? Yes, in that day, in that part of the world, limestone was nice for building because, actually, you could just scrape and dig yourself out a nice cave. Want a window? Just start scraping! Need another bedroom? You know the drill. It wasn’t fancy, but it was home, and it was affordable. If you had a bit of wealth, you might use this method for your basement but then put a nice upstairs living space on, too. But that wasn’t Nazareth. Nazareth, though is a nice Biblical, Hebrew name. It comes from the word for “shoot”, or “branch.” It’s that word in Isaiah chapter 11, “A shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse, a branch (netzer) shall grow out of his roots…” It’s a name that points to new life from a cut-down people. It points to the hoped-for Messiah, the king who shall be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…” That’s a very fitting name for the hometown of the Messiah—even if the town itself was not much to speak of. So Mary’s background is growing up in this small, poor town with a great hopeful name, right next to that large wealthy one. I wonder the relationship between the peoples of both those towns. It makes me hear her song later in the gospel with a new appreciation for her faith, her dream of the coming Messiah, and to hear her son quote Isaiah at the beginning of his ministry, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” How influential she was, her background, her upbringing and experiences, on her son, Jesus, the Christ. Truly, Mary is an amazing person in the story of Jesus. Just take her conversation with the angel Gabriel today for example. In her day life expectancy was not all that long, especially for the poorer of people, such as those who would be living in Nazareth. As such women were not usually educated, married very early in life, and expected to have and raise children—even as often as a goal of one child each year. Of course, births are a dangerous thing, and I imagine the infant survival rate was not as it is now, either. She was engaged—which women often were around the age of 13-15, for about a year before the marriage ceremony. And before her wedding she is met by a messenger of God—who tells her that now she is going to conceive. A very risky thing to do before one has found a home and seen as respectable. Actually, that kind of thing could be punishable by stoning. The faith, conviction, and trust of Mary is astounding. Her answer to Gabriel is “Here I am, let it be with me according to your word.” She said yes even though young women pregnant by someone other than their betrothed were to be stoned to death. She said yes even though some women died in childbirth. She said yes even though Joseph could call off the marriage. She said yes even though she could be an unwed mother—with all the stigma and hardships that come with it. But she said, yes. And then she gave her all to Jesus. Carrying him in her womb, giving birth, nourishing him with her very self. Holding him, teaching him, instilling in him faith in God as he grew up. Thirty-some years after she gave birth to him she feared for him stood by him, wept as he was put to death on a cross. Astounding. “Here I am.” Mary said. This advent, may our journey of faith open our hearts to all the ways we, too, can say “Here I am.” Where God calls us, may we, inspired by Mary, with the same hope in God’s kingdom coming through Jesus, say “Here I am, the servant of the Lord.” Blessed Advent.
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AuthorRev. Chris Sesvold is currently the pastor at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Holmen, WI. Archives
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