“The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (NIV)
You’re 13 years old, and you’re being prepared for marriage, more than likely one arranged between the families. Now you’re pregnant—but not by your fiancé.
At that time in history, women had no say-so as to what happened to them. They were appraised like property and valued for their ability to produce children. But pregnancy outside of marriage or due to unfaithfulness was deserving of death. Imagine the courage it must have taken for Mary to respond to the archangel Gabriel saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”
How would her fiancé Joseph react when she told him she was pregnant? He was certainly crystal clear that she hadn’t been intimate with him. He’d tell his family, and they’d be incensed enough to tell her family. His family would certainly annul the arrangement. It remained to be seen as to what her family would do to her since she brought disgrace to their name.
To add fuel to the fire, their friends are no fools. They’d be able to put two and two together and realize Mary had been pregnant before they got married. The juicy gossip would become a well-placed knife aimed at this child and follow him all the days of his life. And what about the church? With a bastard child in her arms, Mary most certainly would not be allowed in the church. The congregation would see to that.
The potential for this to go tragically wrong was very real. Thirteen, divorced, no rights or resources, ostracized with a baby on the way, Mary would never survive. After all, it was legal for an unwed pregnant woman to be stoned in the street, and people would step over her body as if nothing was wrong.
Society would say she was a disgrace, irresponsible, unworthy, filthy. She had made her bed and now she needs to lie in it.
Asking Mary to carry, birth, and raise the Christ does not seem like someone who is highly favored. Quite the contrary, it seems more like a death sentence.
When God looked at Mary, He saw a humble heart and a childlike faith that believed anything was possible with God. His plan for Mary was more than she could have thought or imagined. But Mary didn’t have that info when the archangel Gabriel appeared and announced, “The Lord is with you. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.” All she had to go on was her personal experiences with society, the law, and her church.
God also sent Gabriel to Joseph to tell him about the baby and instruct him to go through with the wedding but people don’t always obey God. I’ll be honest and share that there have been numerous times throughout my life that God spoke to me and I reasoned myself out of dong as He requested. Custom and societal rules were not lost on Joseph but he chose obedience and made Mary his wife. In doing so, Joseph was considered an acceptable covering for Mary, removing her guilt and shame. Instead of a death sentence, she was cleared to live free and enjoy their union and all he was able to provide for her.
It’s the same thing for us when Jesus stands before God and tells His Father that we are His bride. Jesus is the acceptable covering that removes our guilt and shame. Man may need instruction on how to walk out God’s love, but Jesus has already chosen us. He waits for us to choose Him. Once we do, it’s on. We have permission to live in freedom, truth, knowledge, and passion. We will not receive an eternal death sentence. No, we’re free to enjoy our union with Him and all He has prepared for us.
Have you felt or maybe been told that you’ve made your bed, now you must lie in it? Have you ever been asked to leave a church or been made to feel unwelcome? Is your community, family, or friends judgmental and rigid about making mistakes? What is your culture like when it comes to unwed pregnant girls/women?
Mary was a real woman in a real culture with real examples of what would happen to her if Joseph rejected her. When Gabriel left Mary, it could have felt more like a dream than real life—after all, no one had heard a word from God in over 400 years. Once she and Joseph talked about their angel encounters, it began to be real. They had to be further amazed as they watched the Old Testament prophecy being fulfilled to the letter—right in front of their eyes.
Do you need a covering today? Someone who will speak up for you, cover over your shortcomings, and provide for major needs and some small ones that are deep in your heart? Do you need someone in your corner who loves you no matter what and will never leave?
There is One who has spoken for you, who will never be offended by you and who embraces your past. Married, single or widowed, kids or no kids, any skin color in all of creation, feel free to curl up in the lap of Jesus and tell Him you’d like Him to be your covering. Give Him your biggest fears, your little fears, your dreams and your nightmares. Pour your heart out to the Father who wants to love on you. Lean into and rest upon the One who not only has the power to change your life but the authority as well.
He was spit on, had his hair pulled out and his flesh ripped from his body; they drove iron pegs through His hands and feet and impaled His side with a spear. He willingly chose to endure the savage treatment because He could not bear the thought of living without you.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
A Biblical covering means that you in a covenant relationship where you are protected, forgiven and provided for. In short, you are valued and respected.
- Do you feel that you have a covering in your life?
- What does that covering look like?
- What do you need that covering to look like?
- Do you think it is important to have a covering? Why or why not?
- What is your relationship status? Single, widowed, married?
- Are you receiving the covering you need in your current relationship status?
- In what ways can God be your covering?
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says to encourage you and to give you an example of His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”” John 1:29 (NIV)
When you read God’s Word say to yourself: Jesus has the power AND the authority to cover over my sins. A personal relationship with Jesus allows me to live as if I have never sinned. He paid my ransom and therefore my debt is paid, in full, forever!
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
