家中的至宝──信主的母亲
路加福音一章26至38节
26到了第六个月，天使加百列奉神的差遣往加利利的一座城去，这城名叫拿撒勒，
27到一个童女那里，是已经许配大卫家的一个人，名叫约瑟。童女的名字叫马利亚；
28天使进去，对他说：蒙大恩的女子，我问你安，主和你同在了！
29马利亚因这话就很惊慌，又反复思想这样问安是甚么意思。
30天使对他说：马利亚，不要怕！你在神面前已经蒙恩了。
31你要怀孕生子，可以给他起名叫耶稣。
32他要为大，称为至高者的儿子；主神要把他祖大卫的位给他。
33他要作雅各家的王，直到永远；他的国也没有穷尽。
34马利亚对天使说：我没有出嫁，怎么有这事呢？
35天使回答说：圣灵要临到你身上，至高者的能力要荫庇你，因此所要生的圣者必称为神的儿子（或作：所要生的，必称为圣，称为神的儿子）。
36况且你的亲戚以利沙伯，在年老的时候也怀了男胎，就是那素来称为不生育的，现在有孕六个月了。
37因为，出于神的话，没有一句不带能力的。
38马利亚说：我是主的使女，情愿照你的话成就在我身上。天使就离开他去了。
信息分享
让我们想想马利亚当时的处境。她很可能只是个十多岁的少女，竟被告知她将要未婚生子。如果从世人的眼中看，她会落入甚么样的境地？谁能帮助她？马利亚却甘愿接受临到她身上的事，因为她相信那是出于神的，神曾一直与她同在，她即时的帮助也来自祂。所以，她愿意。
我们必须要读约瑟怎样支持她。他娶了她，孩子出生后，他便成了她儿子的继父。这绝非易事，但马利亚对神沉静而坚定的信靠，必然深深地影响他。这对夫妇是令人敬佩的一对。
从圣经来看，约瑟似乎在耶稣出来传道之前便已离世，但马利亚一直持守对神及她儿子的信心。例如，在加利利的迦南婚筵上，她显然相信她能目睹耶稣供应人的需要。直至到耶稣在髑髅地被钉至复活，她的信心不变。难怪神选择她作为祂儿子的母亲，让如此的尊荣彰显在她身上。
这样的母亲真是家中的财富啊，一位信靠神的母亲，接受神的话，将荣耀归于神，也顺服神的心意。更有一位约瑟，这位母亲的丈夫，虽然妻子的处境特殊，但因着他自己对神的坚信，神帮助他接受了她和她的处境。
一个是信靠神的妻子，一个是有爱心、荣耀神的丈夫，当他们同心，与神联结的时候，必能面对任何的困境。马利亚和约瑟如是，我们也能如是。 何不现在就求神帮助你与祂联结呢？如果你还是单身，就请为你所认识的，正面临困境的家庭祷告。
A BELIEVING MOTHER - WHAT AN ASSET IN A HOME!
Luke 1:26-38
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Message
One of these reasons was obviously her beautiful faith in God.
Think of Mary's position. She was a young teenager probably. She had just been told that she would have a son for whom there would be no visible earthly father. In the eyes of the world, especially then, what would be her situation? What support would she have? Mary was willing for anything because she believed the message she had received had come from God. Her first support came from God Himself. He was with her all the way.
Then we must see also how Joseph stood with her. He married her, and then when her child was born he acted as stepfather to her child. That would not be an easy situation. But Mary's quiet strong faith must have meant much to him too. They were a remarkable couple.
It would seem that Joseph may have passed away while Jesus was still in the home. But Mary's faith in God and in her son were also seen later in life. For example at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, she obviously believed that he could meet the situation, he could supply the need. She had faith in Christ right on through Calvary and the resurrection. No wonder God honoured her as He did in making her the mother of his Son.
What an asset in any home! First a believing mother who knew how to accept God's word, how to praise God, and how to accept God's will. What an example for us all! Alongside the mother was her husband, Joseph. His situation was unique, but God helped him to accept it because he too was a firm believer in God.
A believing wife and a loving God-honouring husband can face almost insurmountable difficulties together when they are in touch with God. Mary and Joseph did. So can we? Why not ask God today to help you stand together in Him? Of if you are single, pray for the families you know facing problems today.