May 28, 2025 • 14 mins
Welcome to the Christmas series! In this episode, we meet Mary, the quiet and humble hero of God, chosen to bear God’s chosen redeemer.
Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com.
As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.
To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
He has said to me, my grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly. Therefore,
I will rather glory in my weakness, that the power
of Christ may rest on me. Second Corinthians twelve nine.
Dear Heavenly Father, when we feel weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed,
(00:25):
we reminded that it is precisely in these moments that
your strength, power, and grace shine brightest. We ask for
the humility to accept our weaknesses and the faith to
see them not as failures, but as opportunities for your
power to be displayed. Help us, Lord, to rely not
(00:48):
on our own strength, but on the abundant grace you
freely give us in our struggles and trials. Let us
feel your presence power resting upon us, giving us the
courage and resilience to endure through our weaknesses. May we
(01:09):
be a testament to your infinite strength and love. We
pray in the name of Jesus, our source of power
and grace. Amen, thank you for pausing to pray today.
Prepare to be swept back into the Christmas story with
stories of the Messiah. With Rabbi Schneider, Nazareth was far
(01:39):
from a vibrant, bustling town, its character was more defined
by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the
trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich
cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most
notable for its unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past,
her old tales, or exciting happenings. Yet, the dusty and
(02:02):
forgotten town, far from the holy City of Jerusalem was
about to be visited by God himself. The God who
had been silent and hidden in the margins of history
for four hundred years was about to descend upon humanity.
In this forsaken city Nazareth, God's hero would be revealed.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Story of the Messiah podcast.
I'm Rabbi Schneider from Discovering the Jewish Jesus. The Christmas
season is upon us. This is the perfect time to
explore the beautiful and epic journey of the Nativity. Christ's
birth is a tale of drama, danger, loyalty, and divine intervention.
(02:46):
It is my joy to guide you today as we
are introduced to Mary called in Hebrew Miriam, a young
woman from the small city of Nazareth. Miriam's story is
out of humility, strength, and devotion. Mary was a mere
vessel on the grand Plan of salvation, but she stands
as an example for all believers today. Her humble submission
(03:09):
to God's will and her strength in the face of
adversity reminds us of the remarkable ways God uses ordinary
people for his extraordinary purposes. We are about to immerse
ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Matthew and Luke's account
of Mary. As we listen and reflect on her life,
may we be inspired to approach our walk with God
(03:32):
with the same humility and strength, trusting in his plan
regardless of our challenges and uncertainty. The life of Miriam
teaches us that when we submit to God's will, he
provides us the strength we need to fulfill his purpose.
This is only beginning of Mary's harrowing story. Let's listen
(03:52):
now and then unpack more of the deeper themes of
her life afterward.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Sunrise broke over the dusty hills surrounding Nazareth. The mild
morning rays gently broke the chill of dawn. Its light
methodically sifted through the window in Mary's room. She slowly awoke,
her lungs filled with the dry and crisp air. She
carefully wrapped herself up, with deliberate caution not to stir
her siblings. She stepped into the awakening day. The cool,
(04:22):
dry breeze gently caressed her cheeks. Animals responded to the
rooster's call, and life began to hum. As families awoke
from their rest. Grasping a pale, Mary started her daily
trek towards the town's lone well. Nazareth was far from
a vibrant, bustling town. Its character was more defined by
its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the trade routes,
(04:44):
absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich cultural tapestry
found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most notable for
its unremarkableness. A town with no glorious past, no heroic tales,
and no exciting happenings. Yet for Mary, a flicker of
anticipation made Nazareth seem less monotonous. She was engaged to
be married to one of the local Stonemasons, Joseph. He
(05:06):
was hardly the most handsome man in Nazareth, nor the
most skilled craftsman, but he was kind. His gentle and
quiet strength made him a kindred spirit to Mary. To
her being betrothed to Joseph was exciting a break in
Nazareth's otherwise dull life. Mary drew water from the well
with the other young women in the town. They playfully
(05:27):
questioned Mary about her marriage and dreamed about their own
futures as wives, mothers, friends, and elders in the community.
It was a simple and joyful life, Mary led, she
wouldn't trade it for anything. Mary lugged her filled pale
back home. Her siblings had left for their chores and
her parents had started their day's work in the market place.
She climbed the incline leading to her home, her arms
(05:48):
aching under the weight of the water. She pushed the
door open with her foot, entered and turned around, only
to find a divine creature resting on her room's lattice,
writting oh favorite wife. The angel announced, making Mary startle
a loose grip on her pail. Waters splashed across the room,
and Mary stumbled backwards on to the hard floor, Trying
(06:09):
to escape the surprise visitor. She attempted to rush out,
but the angel appeared before her, his face wearing a
reassuring smile.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Please do not be afraid. The Lord is with you.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
His words left Mary puzzled, yet her fear was slightly alleviated.
She slowly retreated and sat on her bed's edge. The
angel spread his arms wide.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I am Gabriel, and I have come bearing good news.
You whole favorite one, have been chosen.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
What does that mean? Mary asked, her hands absently fidgeting
in her lap. The angel's smile grew wider as he spoke.
His words were an intermingling of news and worship. Unto
the Lord, Mary.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
You have found favor with God, Gabriel explained. You are
to pare a burden and blessing unlike any other in
the world. His voice was melodic. You, Mary, who will
conceive a son.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
The child in your womb will be God's chosen one,
the mighty son of the most High, who will bear
the weight of mankind. The Lord will establish his kingdom
through him. He will inherit David's throne, and his kingdom
will be eternal, his glory everlasting. The impact of Gabriel's
(07:24):
words left Mary perplexed. She shook her head in disbelief.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
How can this be. I am a virgin, I am
young and have not known a man.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Her eyes welled up, the enormity of the revelation overwhelming her. Gabriel,
noticing her distress, descended to eye level. The angel wasn't human,
but he wore an empathetic grin as he reassured Mary
of her Calling Mary.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
All things are possible with God. The Holy Spirit will
come upon you. The power of the Highest God will
overshadow you.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
The child you carry would be the son of God himself.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Seeing her eyes widen in shock, he continued.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Your cousin, Elizabeth well past her child, Mary ages already
six months pregnant. Now tell me is there anything the
Lord cannot do?
Speaker 3 (08:16):
For a moment, Mary sat in silence. She could feel
God's spirit strengthening her. Her racing thoughts began to settle
into a calm stream. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid
a hand on her belly. It was then she felt
the favor of a God wash over her. Joy indescribable
and incomprehensible joy filled her. She stood, wiping her tears
(08:39):
and dusting off her dress, a smile gracing her face
as she met Gabriel's gaze. After a deep breath, she proclaimed.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
I am God's servant. I will gladly receive his will
according to what you've said.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
With a nod, Gabriel vanished. Mary stepped outside. The sun
was high of a head. She bathed in its warm
rays and watched the village resume its regular rhythm. She
heard birds chirping and harmony with the gentle breeze. Suddenly,
the mundane day radiated with a divine glow. Her heart
pounded with anticipation and fear of would lay ahead. Yet
(09:17):
she knew Gabriel's words held true.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
What would Joseph think?
Speaker 3 (09:21):
What would her family do? So many questions race through
her mind. Mary decided the best thing to do was
visit her cousin Elizabeth to witness what God was doing.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
This was not the life Mary expected for herself. Let's
put ourselves in her position for a moment. She is young,
betrothed to be married, and as her whole life ahead
of her. She was undoubtedly dreaming about her wedding day,
having children with Joseph, and living a simple life in Nazareth.
But God had different plans for her. It can be
(09:54):
hard when God interrupts our plans can it? There are
key moments in our lives when we expect one thing
to happen, but it turns out God has different plans.
You've been there, Luke. Chapter one says that Mary graciously
accepted God's plan for her. It couldn't have been easy.
Think about all the hardship Mary would endure because of
(10:15):
God's calling on her life. What would her parents think?
Would Joseph leave her when he found out? When God
calls us to do something new, sometimes we can become
consumed with the risks involved. Thoughts of persecution, discomfort, and
rejection can dominate our headspace. Mary is a wonderful example
(10:37):
of quietly and humbly accepting God's will for her life.
She asked Gabriel how it would be possible since she
was a virgin, indicating her innocence and purity, but after
the Angel explained, she didn't hesitate or resist, but simply said, behold,
I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be
(10:59):
to me according to your Willlord. Her willingness to step
into the unknown and accept a mission that would lead
to hardship and misunderstanding shows an unparalleled humility and commitment
to the Lord. This humility was not the result of
low self esteem or lack of ambition. Instead, it was
rooted in an accurate understanding of who God is and
(11:22):
who she was in relation to him. Mary recognized her
role in God's plan, accepting it graciously, even with its
potential for personal cost and societal shame. Mary's strength, often overlooked,
is an essential part of her character. It would have
taken great fortitude to accept such a call, knowing that
(11:44):
it could result in her being ostracized or even worse,
stoned to death. According to the laws of the time,
stoning was on the table. In addition, the physical and
emotional toll of bearing and raising a child under such
circumstances was unimaginable. You know the saying God never gives
you more than you can handle. You hear that saying
(12:07):
thrown around a lot, But consider this. The Bible shows
us story after story of people who are given more
than they can handle. Moses certainly couldn't have freed the
people of Israel on his own. Daniel couldn't have survived
the lions den on his own. The Bible continues to
show us that God does not give us more than
(12:28):
we can handle. On our own, but with His help
we are more than conquerors. We are sometimes faced with
challenges too significant to endure on our own, but that
is when the strength of God is shown. Remember what
God said to Paul in Second Corinthians twelve nine. He
encouraged Paul, saying, my grace is sufficient for you, for
(12:51):
my power is made perfect in weakness. This is why
Paul said that he would rather boast in his weakness
than in his strength, because who was in his weakness
that God's strength was most evident in being wrought in
his life. In future episodes, we will be immersed in
the heart wrenching struggle of Mary and Joseph. Together they
(13:12):
will face near death experiences in close calls. Our ministry
discovering the Jewish Jesus is all about showing people the
magnificent strength of the Messiah. People often associate the God
of the Old Testament with strength and the God of
the New Testament with gentleness. But Christ's power is no
different from the God who formed the cosmos and part
(13:35):
of the seas. They're the same God. We can take
comfort in knowing that with Him by our side, we
can endure anything that comes our way. This Christmas season,
let us remember the great calling Christ has given each
of us. Like Mary, you and I have been given
a great mission. May we shoulder that mission with grace, humility,
(13:59):
and rel on God. Mary's journey has just begun, and
we're just getting started with the epic story of the Nativity.
Join us for the next episode of Stories of the
Messiah as we follow Mary to the home of Elizabeth
and Zechariah. As she learns more about her calling, her
room begins to expand, and she will no longer be
(14:21):
able to hide what's happened. If you have enjoyed this podcast,
share it with a friend. We want the story of
Jesus to change lives. If you're interested in my ministry,
you can visit discoveringthe Jewishjesus dot com and for more
engaging and transformative Biblical stories, download Theprey dot com at
He has said to me, my grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly. Therefore,
I will rather glory in my weakness, that the power
of Christ may rest on me. Second Corinthians twelve nine.
Dear Heavenly Father, when we feel weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed,
(00:25):
we reminded that it is precisely in these moments that
your strength, power, and grace shine brightest. We ask for
the humility to accept our weaknesses and the faith to
see them not as failures, but as opportunities for your
power to be displayed. Help us, Lord, to rely not
(00:48):
on our own strength, but on the abundant grace you
freely give us in our struggles and trials. Let us
feel your presence power resting upon us, giving us the
courage and resilience to endure through our weaknesses. May we
(01:09):
be a testament to your infinite strength and love. We
pray in the name of Jesus, our source of power
and grace. Amen, thank you for pausing to pray today.
Prepare to be swept back into the Christmas story with
stories of the Messiah. With Rabbi Schneider, Nazareth was far
(01:39):
from a vibrant, bustling town, its character was more defined
by its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the
trade routes, absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich
cultural tapestry found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most
notable for its unremarkableness, a town with no glorious past,
her old tales, or exciting happenings. Yet, the dusty and
(02:02):
forgotten town, far from the holy City of Jerusalem was
about to be visited by God himself. The God who
had been silent and hidden in the margins of history
for four hundred years was about to descend upon humanity.
In this forsaken city Nazareth, God's hero would be revealed.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Story of the Messiah podcast.
I'm Rabbi Schneider from Discovering the Jewish Jesus. The Christmas
season is upon us. This is the perfect time to
explore the beautiful and epic journey of the Nativity. Christ's
birth is a tale of drama, danger, loyalty, and divine intervention.
(02:46):
It is my joy to guide you today as we
are introduced to Mary called in Hebrew Miriam, a young
woman from the small city of Nazareth. Miriam's story is
out of humility, strength, and devotion. Mary was a mere
vessel on the grand Plan of salvation, but she stands
as an example for all believers today. Her humble submission
(03:09):
to God's will and her strength in the face of
adversity reminds us of the remarkable ways God uses ordinary
people for his extraordinary purposes. We are about to immerse
ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Matthew and Luke's account
of Mary. As we listen and reflect on her life,
may we be inspired to approach our walk with God
(03:32):
with the same humility and strength, trusting in his plan
regardless of our challenges and uncertainty. The life of Miriam
teaches us that when we submit to God's will, he
provides us the strength we need to fulfill his purpose.
This is only beginning of Mary's harrowing story. Let's listen
(03:52):
now and then unpack more of the deeper themes of
her life afterward.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Sunrise broke over the dusty hills surrounding Nazareth. The mild
morning rays gently broke the chill of dawn. Its light
methodically sifted through the window in Mary's room. She slowly awoke,
her lungs filled with the dry and crisp air. She
carefully wrapped herself up, with deliberate caution not to stir
her siblings. She stepped into the awakening day. The cool,
(04:22):
dry breeze gently caressed her cheeks. Animals responded to the
rooster's call, and life began to hum. As families awoke
from their rest. Grasping a pale, Mary started her daily
trek towards the town's lone well. Nazareth was far from
a vibrant, bustling town. Its character was more defined by
its ordinary, even dull nature. Far removed from the trade routes,
(04:44):
absent any shoreline, and devoid of the rich cultural tapestry
found in other cities, Nazareth was perhaps most notable for
its unremarkableness. A town with no glorious past, no heroic tales,
and no exciting happenings. Yet for Mary, a flicker of
anticipation made Nazareth seem less monotonous. She was engaged to
be married to one of the local Stonemasons, Joseph. He
(05:06):
was hardly the most handsome man in Nazareth, nor the
most skilled craftsman, but he was kind. His gentle and
quiet strength made him a kindred spirit to Mary. To
her being betrothed to Joseph was exciting a break in
Nazareth's otherwise dull life. Mary drew water from the well
with the other young women in the town. They playfully
(05:27):
questioned Mary about her marriage and dreamed about their own
futures as wives, mothers, friends, and elders in the community.
It was a simple and joyful life, Mary led, she
wouldn't trade it for anything. Mary lugged her filled pale
back home. Her siblings had left for their chores and
her parents had started their day's work in the market place.
She climbed the incline leading to her home, her arms
(05:48):
aching under the weight of the water. She pushed the
door open with her foot, entered and turned around, only
to find a divine creature resting on her room's lattice,
writting oh favorite wife. The angel announced, making Mary startle
a loose grip on her pail. Waters splashed across the room,
and Mary stumbled backwards on to the hard floor, Trying
(06:09):
to escape the surprise visitor. She attempted to rush out,
but the angel appeared before her, his face wearing a
reassuring smile.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Please do not be afraid. The Lord is with you.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
His words left Mary puzzled, yet her fear was slightly alleviated.
She slowly retreated and sat on her bed's edge. The
angel spread his arms wide.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I am Gabriel, and I have come bearing good news.
You whole favorite one, have been chosen.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
What does that mean? Mary asked, her hands absently fidgeting
in her lap. The angel's smile grew wider as he spoke.
His words were an intermingling of news and worship. Unto
the Lord, Mary.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
You have found favor with God, Gabriel explained. You are
to pare a burden and blessing unlike any other in
the world. His voice was melodic. You, Mary, who will
conceive a son.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
The child in your womb will be God's chosen one,
the mighty son of the most High, who will bear
the weight of mankind. The Lord will establish his kingdom
through him. He will inherit David's throne, and his kingdom
will be eternal, his glory everlasting. The impact of Gabriel's
(07:24):
words left Mary perplexed. She shook her head in disbelief.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
How can this be. I am a virgin, I am
young and have not known a man.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Her eyes welled up, the enormity of the revelation overwhelming her. Gabriel,
noticing her distress, descended to eye level. The angel wasn't human,
but he wore an empathetic grin as he reassured Mary
of her Calling Mary.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
All things are possible with God. The Holy Spirit will
come upon you. The power of the Highest God will
overshadow you.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
The child you carry would be the son of God himself.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Seeing her eyes widen in shock, he continued.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Your cousin, Elizabeth well past her child, Mary ages already
six months pregnant. Now tell me is there anything the
Lord cannot do?
Speaker 3 (08:16):
For a moment, Mary sat in silence. She could feel
God's spirit strengthening her. Her racing thoughts began to settle
into a calm stream. Closing her eyes tightly, she laid
a hand on her belly. It was then she felt
the favor of a God wash over her. Joy indescribable
and incomprehensible joy filled her. She stood, wiping her tears
(08:39):
and dusting off her dress, a smile gracing her face
as she met Gabriel's gaze. After a deep breath, she proclaimed.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
I am God's servant. I will gladly receive his will
according to what you've said.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
With a nod, Gabriel vanished. Mary stepped outside. The sun
was high of a head. She bathed in its warm
rays and watched the village resume its regular rhythm. She
heard birds chirping and harmony with the gentle breeze. Suddenly,
the mundane day radiated with a divine glow. Her heart
pounded with anticipation and fear of would lay ahead. Yet
(09:17):
she knew Gabriel's words held true.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
What would Joseph think?
Speaker 3 (09:21):
What would her family do? So many questions race through
her mind. Mary decided the best thing to do was
visit her cousin Elizabeth to witness what God was doing.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
This was not the life Mary expected for herself. Let's
put ourselves in her position for a moment. She is young,
betrothed to be married, and as her whole life ahead
of her. She was undoubtedly dreaming about her wedding day,
having children with Joseph, and living a simple life in Nazareth.
But God had different plans for her. It can be
(09:54):
hard when God interrupts our plans can it? There are
key moments in our lives when we expect one thing
to happen, but it turns out God has different plans.
You've been there, Luke. Chapter one says that Mary graciously
accepted God's plan for her. It couldn't have been easy.
Think about all the hardship Mary would endure because of
(10:15):
God's calling on her life. What would her parents think?
Would Joseph leave her when he found out? When God
calls us to do something new, sometimes we can become
consumed with the risks involved. Thoughts of persecution, discomfort, and
rejection can dominate our headspace. Mary is a wonderful example
(10:37):
of quietly and humbly accepting God's will for her life.
She asked Gabriel how it would be possible since she
was a virgin, indicating her innocence and purity, but after
the Angel explained, she didn't hesitate or resist, but simply said, behold,
I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be
(10:59):
to me according to your Willlord. Her willingness to step
into the unknown and accept a mission that would lead
to hardship and misunderstanding shows an unparalleled humility and commitment
to the Lord. This humility was not the result of
low self esteem or lack of ambition. Instead, it was
rooted in an accurate understanding of who God is and
(11:22):
who she was in relation to him. Mary recognized her
role in God's plan, accepting it graciously, even with its
potential for personal cost and societal shame. Mary's strength, often overlooked,
is an essential part of her character. It would have
taken great fortitude to accept such a call, knowing that
(11:44):
it could result in her being ostracized or even worse,
stoned to death. According to the laws of the time,
stoning was on the table. In addition, the physical and
emotional toll of bearing and raising a child under such
circumstances was unimaginable. You know the saying God never gives
you more than you can handle. You hear that saying
(12:07):
thrown around a lot, But consider this. The Bible shows
us story after story of people who are given more
than they can handle. Moses certainly couldn't have freed the
people of Israel on his own. Daniel couldn't have survived
the lions den on his own. The Bible continues to
show us that God does not give us more than
(12:28):
we can handle. On our own, but with His help
we are more than conquerors. We are sometimes faced with
challenges too significant to endure on our own, but that
is when the strength of God is shown. Remember what
God said to Paul in Second Corinthians twelve nine. He
encouraged Paul, saying, my grace is sufficient for you, for
(12:51):
my power is made perfect in weakness. This is why
Paul said that he would rather boast in his weakness
than in his strength, because who was in his weakness
that God's strength was most evident in being wrought in
his life. In future episodes, we will be immersed in
the heart wrenching struggle of Mary and Joseph. Together they
(13:12):
will face near death experiences in close calls. Our ministry
discovering the Jewish Jesus is all about showing people the
magnificent strength of the Messiah. People often associate the God
of the Old Testament with strength and the God of
the New Testament with gentleness. But Christ's power is no
different from the God who formed the cosmos and part
(13:35):
of the seas. They're the same God. We can take
comfort in knowing that with Him by our side, we
can endure anything that comes our way. This Christmas season,
let us remember the great calling Christ has given each
of us. Like Mary, you and I have been given
a great mission. May we shoulder that mission with grace, humility,
(13:59):
and rel on God. Mary's journey has just begun, and
we're just getting started with the epic story of the Nativity.
Join us for the next episode of Stories of the
Messiah as we follow Mary to the home of Elizabeth
and Zechariah. As she learns more about her calling, her
room begins to expand, and she will no longer be
(14:21):
able to hide what's happened. If you have enjoyed this podcast,
share it with a friend. We want the story of
Jesus to change lives. If you're interested in my ministry,
you can visit discoveringthe Jewishjesus dot com and for more
engaging and transformative Biblical stories, download Theprey dot com at
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