Receiving Looks of Judgment? Look to Christ. {Christmas Meditation #4}

Ah-ha, there is that raised eyebrow again. They think I have done something wrong though they won’t say anything. Their expression communicates clearly the judgement they are making. It hurts to see them think, “For this to have happened to her she must have done something wrong. God is judging her.”

For Mary, the mother of Jesus, I think she had to have experienced something like this at least in a small way. Before Joseph, a good and caring man, had the dream from God which supplied the explanation, Mary must have seen the judgement and sorrow in his eyes. They had not come together in physical relationship yet, and here she was, pregnant. It must have hurt to see him make the judgement which was not true. And then, when Joseph received the dream and took her as his wife, he probably had to bear the same kind of looks. People can do math.

What evidence do we have of Mary’s response to any judgmental looks that might have come her way? The only evidence the Scriptures present of the thinking of her heart is the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). She worshipped. She praised God for what He had done and was doing in her life, and seemed to have put aside all else.

Have you received the judgmental looks for the way your life has gone? Follow Mary’s example and worship the Lord for what He has done, is doing, and will do in your life. Mary was overwhelmed with the grandeur of God and His actions, past, present and future. She needed a Savior from her sin. Her spirit could rejoice in God her Savior. She stood in awe of His holiness and yet realized that He pours out His mercy on those who hunger spiritually and are humble before Him. She seems overwhelmed that God had been active in her life personally. She could face problems that seemed impossible to overcome because God had proven Himself more powerful than them all. He is a God who had made promises and had fulfilled them. She could count on His faithfulness.

As our worship of God enlarges, things like the judgmental looks of others diminish. Mary was caught up in the glory of who God is. During this holiday season will you review the Magnificat and bring your own worship to your God, your Savior? He is active in your life and personally working all things together for good (Rom 8:28). Praise Him!

Marty currently serves on the Chaplain team of Skyword ministries at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and resides with his wife in the suburbs of Chicago.

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