[af_vet_1981]

I had two distinct thoughts about Miriam/Mary, mother of God with us.
1. Now bear with me. She was so very brave, full of grace and faith, not knowing how God was going to resolve her pregnancy out of wedlock. As she walked by faith and God sent angels to protect and defend her, who knew that Yeshua/Jesus was her son and not Joseph's ? Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Zacharias/Zachariah, Simeon, Hannah/Anna, Mary's family, Joseph's family, etc. Which of them at that time believed Mary was the Virgin of Israel who by the Spirit of God became pregnant and bore the Messiah ? The real interesting question is with all the undeserved shame and guilt projected on this brave young Virgin of Israel, when did Jesus know she was innocent and how very brave and faithful she had been for His sake ? What did they tell the young child ? When did Yeshua know that Joseph was not his biological father ? When did He know that He was the a Son of God and God the Son ? At the age of 12 He knew God was his Father, even as Mary spoke to him of Joseph as his father.
2. The second point became obvious to me. Once Jesus realized the love, faith, grace, and loyalty His mother willingly gave Him, they were eternally bonded in love. He could but respond to love with love. Now it makes perfect sense at Cana when he said Ma li v'lach ? It was a tender question in a bond of holy love between mother and son; What is there between you and me ? Love, trust, faith until death and beyond. What can I do for you ? This makes her reply to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you" perfectly sensible. A pearl of great price.

I find it incredibly sad, and warped, that men concocted a doctrine of total depravity which they vainly try to apply to this brave woman, who stood for Him before He was even conceived, and stood with Him even at death. There is much about this Holy a Family not yet revealed.

[Elsie]

...As she walked by faith and God sent angels to protect and defend her...

Dang!!!

Yet ANOTHER thing I've missed reading in the Book!

[Elsie]

A pearl of great price.

You've just gained points with Normandy and teppe!

[metmom]

If women are not to have authority over men, then what’s with the Mary, Queen of Heaven stuff?

You need to get her off that pedestal, then.

Can’t have any women over men, telling them what to do like y’all claim Mary does to Jesus.

[Mrs. Don-o]

These are beautiful and intriguing thoughts.

"Now it makes perfect sense at Cana when he said Ma li v'lach ? It was a tender question in a bond of holy love between mother and son; What is there between you and me ? Love, trust, faith until death and beyond. What can I do for you ? "

I never heard this interpretation of the phrase "Ma li v'lach?" I'd always heard it was an expression of, at best, uninvolvement ("What's it to you or me?") Can you explain this a little further?

Thanks for these good musings.