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Speaker 1: And the angel said, unto her, fear not Mary, for

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Speaker 1: thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt

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Speaker 1: conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and

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Speaker 1: shalt call his name Jesus. Luke one thirty and thirty one.

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Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that you have a

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Speaker 1: plan and purpose for each one of us. You sent

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Speaker 1: an angel to confirm to Mary that she was favored

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Speaker 1: among women. You chose her to bring forth your son

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Speaker 1: and told her to call him Jesus. She had no

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Speaker 1: idea what all that would entail, but she submitted to

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Speaker 1: your will and trusted that you would guide her through

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Speaker 1: whatever it would take.

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Speaker 2: For that to happen.

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Speaker 1: She was just a teenage girl who was not married

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Speaker 1: to Joseph, her fiancee, and yet she was to have

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Speaker 1: a child out of wedlock. How terrifying that must have

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Speaker 1: been for this young girl at this time. But she said, yes,

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Speaker 1: Lord Father, there are things you are calling me to

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Speaker 1: that I don't understand, that are often so contrary to

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Speaker 1: my natural senses. But yet I know it's your voice

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Speaker 1: directing me. It's scary when I step out in faith

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Speaker 1: and follow your will for my life. But as I yield,

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Speaker 1: then say yes, Lord, I find purpose and meaning for

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Speaker 1: my life beyond what I could ever imagine. Mary never

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Speaker 1: imagined she would carry the savior of the world in

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Speaker 1: her womb, and I can't imagine all the glorious adventures

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Speaker 1: you have in store for me. Lord. I want to

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Speaker 1: be as yielded to you as Mary and say yes, Lord,

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Speaker 1: not my will, but thy will be done in my

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Speaker 1: life in Jesus' name.

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Speaker 2: Amen.

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Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever

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Speaker 1: told from prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 3: In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing

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Speaker 3: plant on the face of the earth, and every tree

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Speaker 3: that has fruit with seed in it. They will be

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Speaker 3: yours for food. It is so blessedly simple, right. But

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Speaker 3: with the serious health issues on the rise, you have

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Speaker 3: to wonder how much is related to poor diet lacking

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Speaker 3: in fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to get

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Speaker 4: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you

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Speaker 4: to join me on Heroes in the Bible Jesus. Please

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Speaker 4: follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the

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Speaker 4: latest episodes so you can continue strengthening your relationship with Jesus.

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Speaker 4: Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is a

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Speaker 4: tale of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's

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Speaker 4: love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death

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Speaker 4: and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape

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Speaker 4: and mold the world around us, bringing the divine heart

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Speaker 4: of God right into the heart of you and I.

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Speaker 4: In this episode, we meet the revered and loved Mary

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Speaker 4: and Joseph. They are chosen to take on a tremendous

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Speaker 4: burden and great blessing. This episode reminds us that being

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Speaker 4: called does not always mean being comfortable. These two ordinary

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Speaker 4: people are going to embark on an extraordinary journey of faith, love,

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Speaker 4: and destiny. I love how the epic adventure of the

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Speaker 4: life and ministry of Jesus begins in an unremarkable place

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Speaker 4: with unremarkable people. Unlike other religious origin stories, Jesus isn't

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Speaker 4: born from a volcano or sculpted from dragon scales. He's

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Speaker 4: born and raised with ordinary people. You and I will

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Speaker 4: get a glimpse into the humble context Jesus was born

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Speaker 4: into and the noble people that were chosen to parent him.

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Speaker 4: This episode is a sweet reminder to all of us

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Speaker 4: that God does extraordinary things through ordinary people. This episode

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Speaker 4: reminds me of Tewod Corinthians four seven, which says, we

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Speaker 4: now have this light shining in our hearts, but we

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Speaker 4: ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great tree.

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Speaker 4: This makes it clear that our great power is from God,

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Speaker 4: not from ourselves. God chooses to store his power and

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Speaker 4: glory in us, fragile humans. I love how in the

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Speaker 4: process he makes us strong. That is what will happen

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Speaker 4: in this episode, but first we will begin with a prelude.

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Speaker 4: This prelude reveals a promise that was etched upon the

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Speaker 4: hearts of God's people. Let's begin with episode two. You

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Speaker 4: are chosen. Be sure to stay tuned afterwards as we

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Speaker 4: unpack the themes and treasures from this episode. Talk to

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Speaker 4: you soon. Prelude to chapter two. Fear not, Abram, I

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Speaker 4: am your shield. I am your protector and blessing forever more.

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Speaker 4: God's voice whispered softly. Apram closed his eyes and allow

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Speaker 4: the midnight breezed to glide across his face. He was

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Speaker 4: on his knees with fists gripping the tall grass below.

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Speaker 4: Abram was troubled and doubted God's willingness to bless him.

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Speaker 4: He had left his home to follow God's calling, yet

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Speaker 4: now as he advanced in years, the true desire of

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Speaker 4: his heart had eluded him. He was still childless and

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Speaker 4: feared dying without an offspring to carry on his name.

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Speaker 4: Abram slammed his forehead into the ground.

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Speaker 5: And wept, O, Lord, but what good is your blessing

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Speaker 5: if it dies with me? I am still childless.

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Speaker 6: Shall everything you gave me go to my servants.

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Speaker 5: The wind whistled through the valley, flowing against Abram's kneeling body.

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Speaker 2: Look up, Abram, God whispered, Look and behold my glory.

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Speaker 2: Abram looked to the heavens. Bright stars filled the skies

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Speaker 2: like cripples in the sea. The galaxy could be seen

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Speaker 2: stretching across the firmament. Abram stood in awe the vastness

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Speaker 2: of God's creation. A single tear streamed down.

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Speaker 5: His face as God spoke to him again, saying, do

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Speaker 5: you see these stars?

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Speaker 2: Amber? Are you able to number the lights above?

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Speaker 5: Abram's eyes glowed as he passed in the glory above.

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Speaker 5: The wind blew in his ears as God spoke boldly, proclaiming.

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Speaker 2: I will make your offspring out number the stars. Through

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Speaker 2: your seat, all the nations will be blessed. I will

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Speaker 2: raise up a nation through you. You need only to believe.

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Speaker 2: Abram planted his feet firmly on the ground and raised

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Speaker 2: his arms. He yelled to the heavens as the winds howled.

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Speaker 2: He beamed from cheek to cheek, soaking in the presence

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Speaker 2: of his God. He believed in God's promise. He believed

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Speaker 2: that one day God would raise up a hero from

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Speaker 2: his offspring, one that would bless the whole world through

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Speaker 2: the light and love of God. Chapter two, You Are Chosen.

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Speaker 2: Mary rose from her bed and breathed in the herd

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Speaker 2: morning air. A dim light was peeking slightly through the

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Speaker 2: lattice of her humble home. Mary quietly removed her blanket

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Speaker 2: and stealthily climbed out of bed, trying not to wake

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Speaker 2: her siblings sleeping beside her. After getting dressed, she stepped outside.

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Speaker 2: The air was dry and cool, Goats were beginning to

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Speaker 2: emerge to the brewster's call, and families were beginning to

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Speaker 2: stir awake. Retrieving a pail for water, Mary made her

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Speaker 2: way down to the single well in town. Nazareth was

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Speaker 2: a poor village. The only remarkable thing about it was

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Speaker 2: just how unremarkable it was. It was far from the

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Speaker 2: trade roots, nowhere near the sea, and lacking the rich

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Speaker 2: culture many other cities had. There was no rich history

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Speaker 2: of brave heroes, and certainly no new and exciting events

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Speaker 2: to share. Nazareth was a predictably dull place, but for

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Speaker 2: Mary there was reason to be excited. She walked down

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Speaker 2: the dusty pathway to the well, stumbling on the occasional

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Speaker 2: hole in the ground. The dark haired young woman playfully

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Speaker 2: hummed and trotted along, hoping to cross paths with the

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Speaker 2: Stonemasons making their way to the quarry. She made her

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Speaker 2: way to the well and drew the water slowly, allowing

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Speaker 2: her eyes to wander in the distance towards the path

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Speaker 2: leading up the hill. She can hinued to hum, doing

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Speaker 2: her best, could not look desperate as other women who

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Speaker 2: injured approach the well. As she drew the last of

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Speaker 2: her water, she could hear the footsteps of a few

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Speaker 2: men making their way towards the quarry. Mary bluffed as

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Speaker 2: she caught sight of Joseph carrying his tools with the

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Speaker 2: other craftsmen. Joseph was not known for his strong spirit

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Speaker 2: or his rugged good looks. He was a humble craftsman

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Speaker 2: who was best known for his kind heart and devotion

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Speaker 2: to the Lord. The two of them were betrothed and

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Speaker 2: had committed themselves to be married in just a few

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Speaker 2: short months.

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Speaker 5: To Mary, he represented something new, a small sliver of

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Speaker 5: excitement in an otherwise dull existence. The two blocked eyes

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Speaker 5: and Joseph grinned ear to ear at the sight of

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Speaker 5: his bride to bee. He waved with an almost childish enthusiasm,

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Speaker 5: and was immediately by the men walking aside her. The

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Speaker 5: two of them blushed, allowing others to playfully harass them.

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Speaker 5: As Joseph continued his way towards the quarry, Mary finished

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Speaker 5: filling her pail. She stumbled up the slight incline back

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Speaker 5: to her home. Her siblings had gone off to feed

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Speaker 5: the animals, and no doubt her father and mother had

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Speaker 5: departed to work and tend to the home. She waddled

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Speaker 5: with the heavy pail in both her arms and propped

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Speaker 5: the door open with her foot. Backing into the room,

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Speaker 5: Mary turned around to see a creature perched on the

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Speaker 5: latters of her room.

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Speaker 6: Greetings, oh, favorite one, the angel exclaimed.

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Speaker 5: Mary gasped, and the entire pail of water spilled everywhere.

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Speaker 5: Mary backpedaled at the sight of the angel and slipped

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Speaker 5: on to the floor. Her head hit the ground with

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Speaker 5: a thud as she let out a slight shriek of pain.

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Speaker 5: Grasping her head and clumsily stumbling to her feet, Mary

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Speaker 5: turned to dart for the door. Before she could take

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Speaker 5: another step, the angel was right in front of her.

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Speaker 5: He gave a reassuring smile and said.

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Speaker 6: Please do not be afraid. The Lord is with you.

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Speaker 5: Mary looked at the angel, perplexed but slightly less afraid.

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Speaker 5: She backed away slowly and sat on the side of

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Speaker 5: her bed. The angel opened up his arms and.

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Speaker 6: Said, I am Gabriel, and I have come with good news. You,

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Speaker 6: o favorite one, are chosen.

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Speaker 7: What does that mean?

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Speaker 5: Mary asked, rubbing the back of her head.

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Speaker 6: You have found favor with God.

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Speaker 5: Mary, Gabriel explained.

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Speaker 6: You are the one He has chosen to bear the

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Speaker 6: greatest burden and blessing this world has ever known.

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Speaker 5: Gabriel's tone shifted for a moment, as if he was

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Speaker 5: playing a harp with his words.

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Speaker 6: You, Mary, will conceive a son in your wound, will

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Speaker 6: be the chosen one of God. He will be the

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Speaker 6: great and mighty, son of the Most High, and on

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Speaker 6: his back the weight of all mankind will be carried.

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Speaker 6: The Lord will restore his kingdom in him, and he

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Speaker 6: will be given the throne of his father David. His

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Speaker 6: kingdom will have no end, and his glory will rain

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Speaker 6: into all eternity.

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Speaker 5: Mary's jaw was nearly hitting the floor as she listened

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Speaker 5: to Gabriel. She shook her head in dismay.

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Speaker 7: How are these things possible. I am a virgin, I

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Speaker 7: am very young and have not yet known a man.

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Speaker 5: Mary's eyes were beginning to water. She was overwhelmed by

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Speaker 5: the whole experience. Gabriel was perched high above Mary, but

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Speaker 5: decided to come down at eye level. He tilted his

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Speaker 5: head to the side and looked Merry in the eyes.

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Speaker 6: All things are possible with God, Mary.

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Speaker 5: The creature smiled and raised his hands.

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Speaker 6: The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The power of

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Speaker 6: the most High God will overshadow you. The child will

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Speaker 6: be the son of God himself.

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Speaker 5: Mary's eyes widened in dis way.

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Speaker 6: No doubt you have heard that your cousin Elizabeth has

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Speaker 6: conceived in her old age, a woman far past her

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Speaker 6: child bearing ears, is already six months pregnant. Now tell

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Speaker 6: me is there anything the Lord cannot do?

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Speaker 5: Mary sat there quietly. Even now she could feel God's

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Speaker 5: spirit emboldening her. Her mind was like a rushing river

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Speaker 5: slowly narrowing into a quiet stream. She closed her eyes

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Speaker 5: tight and placed a hand on her belly. It was

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Speaker 5: at that moment Mary felt the favor of God upon her.

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Speaker 5: Tears streamed from her eyes, and smile made its way

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Speaker 5: across her face. She opened her eyes to heaven and

228
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Speaker 5: laughed joy, unimaginable and unexplainable joy. Mary rose to her

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Speaker 5: feet and wiped her tears. She wiped the dust off

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Speaker 5: her dress and smiled at Gabriel. After a deep breath,

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Speaker 5: she looked at him.

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Speaker 7: And said, I am God's servant. I will gladly receive

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Speaker 7: his will according to what you've said.

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Speaker 5: And with a nod, Gabriel vanished in a vapor. Mary

235
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Speaker 5: stepped outside. The sun was high in the sky. Mary

236
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Speaker 5: basked in its rays and looked around to see the

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Speaker 5: village going about its daily rhythm. She listened to the

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Speaker 5: bird's whistle along with the slight breeze, The dullness of

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00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:52,840
Speaker 5: the day seemed to brighten up immensely. Mary's heart was

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Speaker 5: beating fast. She was still afraid of whatever may come,

241
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Speaker 5: but she knew in her bones that what Gabriel had

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Speaker 5: and said was true. So Mary made arrangements to go

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Speaker 5: visit her cousin Elizabeth to see what God was doing.

244
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Speaker 5: Mary traveled to the outskirts of Jerusalem, into the town

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Speaker 5: of Elizabeth from Zechariah. She had not told anyone why

246
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Speaker 5: she needed to visit Elizabeth. She didn't quite understand how

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Speaker 5: she would tell people, especially Joseph. So she hoped in

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Speaker 5: God and pondered everything in her heart. Elizabeth was tending

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Speaker 5: to the garden when she saw Mary arrive on a

250
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Speaker 5: small carriage. She looked up and waved. She was over

251
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Speaker 5: six months pregnant and beaming with joy. Elizabeth made her

252
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Speaker 5: way towards Mary, when all of a sudden, she felt

253
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Speaker 5: a jolt in her wound. Oh my, Elizabeth shouted, is

254
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Speaker 5: something wrong? Mary gasped with concern. Elizabeth laughed and smiled

255
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Speaker 5: ear to ear, exposing the aged cracks in her face.

256
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Speaker 7: Ha ha, my sweet.

257
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Speaker 5: Mary, Elizabeth said, with a grin, you are with child.

258
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Speaker 5: Mary's heart skipped the beat. How did she know? Mary

259
00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:14,720
Speaker 5: was no more than a couple weeks pregnant? Shirley Gabriel

260
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Speaker 5: did not tell every one of her miraculous encounter.

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Speaker 7: Who told you that?

262
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Speaker 5: Mary asked, concerned that more people might have known, Elizabeth

263
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Speaker 5: took Mary's hands.

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Speaker 7: In hers, My child, it is an honor that the

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Speaker 7: mother of the Lord himself should visit me. When you

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Speaker 7: came close, the baby in my womb leapt for joy.

267
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Speaker 7: He's kicking. Now filled with the delight of God's spirit.

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Speaker 5: Elizabeth held Mary's face and kissed her forehead.

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Speaker 7: You are blessed, Mary. This is a burden, yes, but

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Speaker 7: so much good will come of this.

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Speaker 5: Mary embraced Elizabeth. It was a relief to feel understood.

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Speaker 5: She wondered if her family and Joseph be as overjoyed,

273
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Speaker 5: would they believe her, would they judge her, would Joseph

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Speaker 5: still love her? All these questions filled her mind, but

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Speaker 5: the Lord was steadfast towards Mary. He gave her a

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Speaker 5: quiet resolve to press forward. Mary remained with Elizabeth and

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Speaker 5: Zachariah for three months. She watched Elizabeth joyfully struggle through

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Speaker 5: pregnancy and Zechariah silently attend to her needs. Even though

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Speaker 5: Zachariah was unable to speak, his love for his wife

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Speaker 5: was shown in his tender care towards her. As the

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Speaker 5: pregnancy grew more and more burdensome, Mary would attend to

282
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Speaker 5: daily chores and tasks on her cousin's behalf. All the while,

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Speaker 5: a small round bump on the end of Mary's belly

284
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Speaker 5: was beginning to form. She knew that when she returned

285
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Speaker 5: to Nazareth, there would be no hiding what had happened.

286
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Speaker 5: The time had finally coqued to Elizabeth to give birth.

287
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Speaker 5: The cries split the night like a bolt of lightness.

288
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Speaker 5: Mary remained in the room with Elizabeth and the other women.

289
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Speaker 5: As she pushed, curled, kicked, and screamed. Mary saw strengthen

290
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Speaker 5: her despite my wage, and wondered if she too would

291
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Speaker 5: be that strong with the time came. Hours had passed,

292
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Speaker 5: but it was finally time. With great agony and determination,

293
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Speaker 5: she pushed the child through, and the dimly lit room

294
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Speaker 5: was filled with the lively cries of a new boy.

295
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Speaker 5: Elizabeth held her bad boy in her arms. Tears streamed

296
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Speaker 5: down her face as she looked over a miracle child.

297
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Speaker 7: We will name him Zachariah, after his.

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Speaker 5: Father, she whispered. Then, after nine months of silence, a

299
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Speaker 5: deep voice could be heard from the corner of the room. No,

300
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Speaker 5: Zachariah said Ah. Elizabeth gasped, as did Mary and the

301
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Speaker 5: others with them. Zechariah smiled and held up his boy.

302
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Speaker 5: His name will be John, he said. The old priest

303
00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:17,680
Speaker 5: laughed and cried, You, my little son, will be a

304
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Speaker 5: prophet of the most High.

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Speaker 2: You will prepare the way of the Lord. You will

306
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Speaker 2: point people towards their salvation. You will show them the

307
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Speaker 2: way you are a forerunner and chosen by God. The

308
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Speaker 2: morning light of Heaven is breaking on us this day.

309
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Speaker 5: Mary took a step outside and looked to the heavens.

310
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Speaker 5: Her heart was filled with gladness. She laid a gentle

311
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Speaker 5: hand on her belly and took a deep breath. She

312
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Speaker 5: was reminded of the story of Abraham, how God once

313
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Speaker 5: met him in the silence of the night. Abraham looked

314
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Speaker 5: up to see the expanse of space and all the

315
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Speaker 5: stars within. It was that night God promised Abraham that

316
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Speaker 5: through his seed all the nations shall be blessed. And

317
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Speaker 5: now under the same stars. Mary was holding within her

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Speaker 5: the answer to that promise.

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Speaker 7: My soul magnifies you.

320
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Speaker 5: Mary whispered. The cool breeze rustled the nearby bushes. Mary

321
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Speaker 5: kept her eyes fixed on the heavens above.

322
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Speaker 7: My spirit rejoices in my Savior. He has looked at me,

323
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Speaker 7: this humble servant, and considered me. From now on, every

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Speaker 7: generation will call me blessed.

325
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Speaker 5: The wind picked up as Mary spoke, as if creation

326
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Speaker 5: itself was worshiping alongside her. Mary began singing to God.

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Speaker 8: His mercy is shown to those who fear him, and

328
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Speaker 8: he has shown strength to those who are proud. He

329
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Speaker 8: brings down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the humble.

330
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Speaker 8: He has satisfied the hungry and rushed to the rescue

331
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Speaker 8: of his people, Israel. He has done what he promised

332
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Speaker 8: to Abraham, who so long ago.

333
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Speaker 5: Mary closed her eyes and allowed the wind to kiss

334
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Speaker 5: her cheek. Then the next morning she departed back home.

335
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Speaker 5: It was noon and the blistering sun was hot against

336
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Speaker 5: Joseph's back. As he worked, the sound of chiseling against

337
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Speaker 5: stone was music to his ears. He loved being a craftsman.

338
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Speaker 5: He loved creating something that would be useful and bless people. However,

339
00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:59,679
Speaker 5: this project was perhaps his finest. While Mary was away

340
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Speaker 5: helping her cousin, Joseph was working on their new home.

341
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Speaker 5: He laid the foundation of stone and dreamed about the

342
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Speaker 5: little pitter pattering of feet that would run across it.

343
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Speaker 5: He dreamed of holding Mary in his arms while he

344
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Speaker 5: watched his children play. Joseph was anxious for her return

345
00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:21,000
Speaker 5: and often looked to the road to see if she

346
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Speaker 5: would be returning on any of the carriages coming in

347
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Speaker 5: from the city. As Joseph took a break to drink

348
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Speaker 5: some water, he saw a small carriage in the distance.

349
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Speaker 5: He raised his hand to block the sun and get

350
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Speaker 5: a better view. It was her, Mary. Joseph dropped the

351
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Speaker 5: water skin and ran toward the carriage.

352
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Speaker 6: Just wait until she seized the beginning of our new home.

353
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Speaker 5: Joseph thought he couldn't help but smile as he ran.

354
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Speaker 5: He couldn't wait to see her face, hear her laugh,

355
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Speaker 5: and watch her grin as he showed her the beginning

356
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Speaker 5: of their new home, Mary, Joseph shouted. As Mary drew closer,

357
00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:04,800
Speaker 5: something seemed different about her. Joseph slowed down to get

358
00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:08,240
Speaker 5: a steady look at her belly. As clear as day,

359
00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:15,800
Speaker 5: a slight bump had formed. Joseph's smile left him. The

360
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Speaker 5: carriage came to a stop, and Joseph helped Mary step down.

361
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Speaker 5: As the carriage rode away, the two of them stood

362
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Speaker 5: there in silence. Joseph's brow was furrowed, his eyes locked

363
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Speaker 5: on Mary's belly. Joseph, Mary said quietly. She tried getting

364
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Speaker 5: him to look at her, but his face was still.

365
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Speaker 7: Joseph, I know what it may look like, but this

366
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Speaker 7: is not what it seems.

367
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Speaker 5: At that point, Joseph's eyes darted up. They were filled

368
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Speaker 5: with betrayal and sorrow.

369
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Speaker 6: What did I do to deserve this.

370
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Speaker 5: Joseph asked, with a trembling voice.

371
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Speaker 6: Have I not treated you with nothing but love and respect?

372
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Speaker 6: Have I not served your family and tre them as

373
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Speaker 6: my own? Have I not devoted myself to creating a

374
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Speaker 6: home for us?

375
00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:08,840
Speaker 5: Joseph pointed back to the foundation he had been working

376
00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:11,679
Speaker 5: on for their new home. He opened his arms and

377
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Speaker 5: shook his head.

378
00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:18,280
Speaker 6: Please, Mary, tell me why I deserve such betrayal.

379
00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:22,480
Speaker 5: Mary opened her mouth to speak, but was promptly stopped

380
00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:27,520
Speaker 5: as Joseph held up his hand. He sighed, holding back tears,

381
00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:30,240
Speaker 5: his eyes locked with hers.

382
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Speaker 6: It does not matter what you say. By law, I

383
00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,480
Speaker 6: have a right to stone you. I could drag you

384
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Speaker 6: out on the streets and allow people to shame you,

385
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Speaker 6: but I will not make you a spectacle. Your life

386
00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:46,800
Speaker 6: will be hard enough. Though my love for you remains,

387
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Speaker 6: I cannot marry you. We will call off our engagement silently,

388
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Speaker 6: so that you may hide away with your family.

389
00:25:55,080 --> 00:26:00,040
Speaker 5: Joseph was a just man. He was a man of principle, courage,

390
00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,240
Speaker 5: and character. He would not allow any one to shame

391
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:07,080
Speaker 5: Mary for one mistake. He loved her too much for

392
00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:10,800
Speaker 5: that yet he could not marry some one who could

393
00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:14,640
Speaker 5: betray him in such a way. So he departed from

394
00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:21,359
Speaker 5: Mary and pondered what his next steps might be. It

395
00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:24,679
Speaker 5: was late and Joseph was sitting under the stars on

396
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Speaker 5: a hill beside his home. The warm evening breeze made

397
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Speaker 5: the grass around him dance. He laid on his back,

398
00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:37,000
Speaker 5: gazing up at the sky, asking God for answers. He

399
00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:40,160
Speaker 5: was raised to believe, if he had been faithful, God

400
00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:44,240
Speaker 5: would bless him with the family. Joseph wrestled the bitterness

401
00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,760
Speaker 5: out of his mind. He loved Mary, he thought she

402
00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:52,520
Speaker 5: loved him too. Perhaps I should have listened to her,

403
00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:58,320
Speaker 5: he thought. Joseph sighed and closed his eyes. He allowed

404
00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:01,720
Speaker 5: his mind to wander and the soft breeze to rock

405
00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:03,159
Speaker 5: him into a deep sleep.

406
00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:05,119
Speaker 6: Son of David.

407
00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:09,119
Speaker 5: A voice called out to Joseph. Joseph looked round. It

408
00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:12,720
Speaker 5: was no longer in the field, but beside a stream.

409
00:27:12,960 --> 00:27:14,760
Speaker 6: Joseph, son of David.

410
00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:18,760
Speaker 5: The voice called out again. Joseph looked up to see

411
00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,480
Speaker 5: an angel perched on a tree planted beside the water.

412
00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:26,520
Speaker 5: Joseph rose to his feet to get a better look.

413
00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:31,120
Speaker 5: It was a magnificent creature and somehow terrifying and friendly

414
00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:32,000
Speaker 5: at the same time.

415
00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:35,080
Speaker 6: Are you afraid, son of David?

416
00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:40,040
Speaker 5: The angel asked, afraid of what? Joseph responded to take

417
00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:43,520
Speaker 5: Mary as your wife. The Angel clarified, are you afraid?

418
00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:48,040
Speaker 5: Joseph nodded. The angel leaped down from the tree and

419
00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:51,920
Speaker 5: stood face to face with Joseph. Don't be the angel said,

420
00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:53,199
Speaker 5: matter of fact me.

421
00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:57,600
Speaker 6: The baby is conceived from God's own spirit. She has

422
00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:01,399
Speaker 6: not betrayed you, Joseph. She has been called by God

423
00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:03,200
Speaker 6: to bear a great responsibility.

424
00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,879
Speaker 5: Joseph recalled Mary trying to convince him of such things,

425
00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:10,959
Speaker 5: and he was to hurt. Listen, what shall I do,

426
00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:12,520
Speaker 5: Joseph asked the angel.

427
00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,040
Speaker 6: What does this all have to do with me? You

428
00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:19,240
Speaker 6: are chosen, Joseph. You have been chosen by God to

429
00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:23,359
Speaker 6: care for Mary and the child. She will bear a son,

430
00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,680
Speaker 6: and you shall call his name Jesus.

431
00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:33,000
Speaker 5: Jesus, Joseph asked. He allowed himself to think for a moment.

432
00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:40,840
Speaker 5: The name Jesus means God saves. Joseph was beginning to understand.

433
00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:43,760
Speaker 6: He will save his people from their sins. Gabriel said,

434
00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:48,520
Speaker 6: recall the words of Isaiah. Behold, the Virgin shall conceive

435
00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:53,400
Speaker 6: and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,

436
00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:56,000
Speaker 6: which means God with us.

437
00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:03,680
Speaker 5: Jesus, Joseph repeated, promised deliverer, and he has chosen Mary

438
00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:08,000
Speaker 5: and I to raise him. Joseph looked up to ask

439
00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:12,440
Speaker 5: the angel more questions than he had vanished. In that instant,

440
00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:16,640
Speaker 5: Joseph found himself awake again in the grass. The dawn

441
00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:21,360
Speaker 5: was beginning to break. Joseph's eyes widened and an uncontrollable

442
00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:24,840
Speaker 5: grin swept over his face. As he watched the sunrise,

443
00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:28,400
Speaker 5: He put his hands through his hair and began to laugh.

444
00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:33,960
Speaker 5: God had chosen him. God had chosen Mary. Joseph thought

445
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:37,480
Speaker 5: about Mary. He thought about how hard it would have

446
00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:41,400
Speaker 5: been to tell him all these things. Joseph sprang to

447
00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:44,840
Speaker 5: his feet and ran down the hill. He knew where

448
00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:49,760
Speaker 5: he would find her. Joseph ran down the dusty pathway

449
00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:53,320
Speaker 5: to the well, stumbling on the occasional hole in the ground.

450
00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:58,320
Speaker 5: There he saw the dark haired young woman playfully humming

451
00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:01,960
Speaker 5: as she drew water. She looked up from the well

452
00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:07,360
Speaker 5: to see Joseph. The two of them locked eyes. Joseph

453
00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:11,640
Speaker 5: stepped forward and embraced Mary, wrapping her in his arms.

454
00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:17,000
Speaker 5: They cried, laughed, and shared a moment of profound resolve.

455
00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:20,480
Speaker 5: They were going to be married so they might raise

456
00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:24,880
Speaker 5: and protect the promised seed of Abraham, the son of David,

457
00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:29,360
Speaker 5: the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world, and Manuel,

458
00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:31,400
Speaker 5: God's very own son.

459
00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:41,680
Speaker 4: Jesus Christ, I want you to put yourself in the

460
00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:44,880
Speaker 4: position of Abraham, looking at the stars and hearing from

461
00:30:44,920 --> 00:30:47,840
Speaker 4: the voice of God himself. Imagine that you are the

462
00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:51,160
Speaker 4: one sitting by the hillside with the evening breeze caressing

463
00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:53,920
Speaker 4: your cheek. He tells you that you have been chosen

464
00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:57,080
Speaker 4: to take part in the redemptive arc of humanity, and

465
00:30:57,160 --> 00:31:00,280
Speaker 4: that through you all the world will be blessed. If

466
00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:03,600
Speaker 4: it were me, I would be in awe while also terrified.

467
00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,720
Speaker 4: I would probably be honored that God would choose to

468
00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:11,280
Speaker 4: bless me, while also scared of the grand responsibility. Mary

469
00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:14,120
Speaker 4: can relate to Abraham in this way. She was chosen

470
00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:17,560
Speaker 4: to be blessed above all other people, but also carry

471
00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:21,520
Speaker 4: a great responsibility. Mary is an extension of the promise

472
00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:24,880
Speaker 4: made to Abraham. Jesus will be the fulfillment of God's

473
00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:27,920
Speaker 4: great redemptive plan, and Mary is tied to that story

474
00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:31,280
Speaker 4: forever Abraham and Mary have a lot in common. Actually,

475
00:31:31,680 --> 00:31:35,120
Speaker 4: both were chosen out of obscurity. There was nothing remarkable

476
00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:38,280
Speaker 4: about Abraham when he was chosen by God. There was

477
00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:41,120
Speaker 4: no defining features that made Abraham more worthy of the

478
00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:45,000
Speaker 4: blessing than others. God simply chose him because of his

479
00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:48,200
Speaker 4: own will. We aren't given any reason as to why

480
00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,880
Speaker 4: Mary was chosen over other women in her tribe. Her

481
00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:55,479
Speaker 4: and her fiancee Joseph were both descendants of King David,

482
00:31:55,840 --> 00:31:59,040
Speaker 4: but they certainly weren't the only ones. We aren't given

483
00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:01,920
Speaker 4: reasons why Mary and Joseph were chosen for the same

484
00:32:02,040 --> 00:32:06,200
Speaker 4: reason we weren't given any for Abraham. It isn't about

485
00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:09,160
Speaker 4: who you are when God calls you, It's about who

486
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:12,640
Speaker 4: you become when He calls you. Mary and Joseph will

487
00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,400
Speaker 4: rise to the occasion. The calling of God comes with

488
00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:17,920
Speaker 4: the spirit of God, and the spirit of God is

489
00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:21,040
Speaker 4: all that they need to accomplish the great task ahead

490
00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:24,280
Speaker 4: of them. The beginning of the episode gave us the

491
00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:27,760
Speaker 4: context of Jesus's life. Mary and Joseph were members of

492
00:32:27,800 --> 00:32:32,000
Speaker 4: a humble town called Nazareth, where nothing particularly remarkabill ever happen.

493
00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:35,200
Speaker 4: Later on in the series, we will meet a young

494
00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:38,840
Speaker 4: man named Nathaniel who will become a member of the Twelve.

495
00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:42,440
Speaker 4: When he has told Jesus is from Nazareus, he scoffs

496
00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:46,720
Speaker 4: and says, Nazareth, can any good come from there? As

497
00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:51,160
Speaker 4: it turns out, something very good came from Nazareus. The

498
00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:54,520
Speaker 4: backdrop of our story reminds us that extraordinary things can

499
00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:58,880
Speaker 4: come from ordinary places. Whatever mundane or bland place we

500
00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:04,240
Speaker 4: find ourselves in, there will always be potential for something remarkable. Oftentimes,

501
00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:07,840
Speaker 4: God works within the monotonous and ordinary routines and slowly

502
00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:11,880
Speaker 4: builds something spectacular over time. But there are other times

503
00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:16,200
Speaker 4: when God interrupts our passionless patterns with his spirit, sending

504
00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:19,880
Speaker 4: a media crashing down on our boring lives. He calls

505
00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:23,240
Speaker 4: us to adventure, like he called Mary, Joseph, and Abraham,

506
00:33:23,760 --> 00:33:27,960
Speaker 4: and we have the choice to respond. Mary's mundane routine

507
00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:31,280
Speaker 4: was interrupted by the presence of the angel Gabriel. The

508
00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:35,240
Speaker 4: angelic creature perched himself in her room and called her blessed.

509
00:33:35,760 --> 00:33:38,960
Speaker 4: He relayed God's calling that would change her life forever.

510
00:33:39,680 --> 00:33:43,760
Speaker 4: Mary's reaction was rather poised when you consider the circumstances.

511
00:33:44,480 --> 00:33:47,080
Speaker 4: There was a lot on the line for Mary. Put

512
00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:51,120
Speaker 4: aside the existential responsibility of bearing God's Messiah in your

513
00:33:51,160 --> 00:33:55,040
Speaker 4: womb and think about the immediate inconvenience. She has to

514
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,640
Speaker 4: explain this to people, knowing that many of them won't

515
00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:01,920
Speaker 4: believe her, including her fiancee. Mary's destiny comes at a

516
00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:06,320
Speaker 4: cost to herself. A constant theme in the Gospels is destiny.

517
00:34:06,800 --> 00:34:09,960
Speaker 4: Christians refer to it as a calling, but the sentiment

518
00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:13,040
Speaker 4: is the same. We all want to feel like we

519
00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:16,520
Speaker 4: are destined for something great, called a higher purpose, but

520
00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:19,800
Speaker 4: the calling of God often comes at a cost to us.

521
00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:23,120
Speaker 4: If you think about it, our calling is similar to Mary's.

522
00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:26,360
Speaker 4: We are all asked to host God within us and

523
00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:29,600
Speaker 4: embrace the calling that comes with it. We might have

524
00:34:29,640 --> 00:34:32,800
Speaker 4: to make tough decisions and face hardship to follow God's calling.

525
00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,200
Speaker 4: Rest assured, what we gain in Jesus outweighs what we

526
00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:39,560
Speaker 4: lose in the world. Jesus will later on say, if

527
00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:43,359
Speaker 4: anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take

528
00:34:43,400 --> 00:34:46,120
Speaker 4: up his cross, and follow me. This is one of

529
00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:51,880
Speaker 4: the great principles of Scripture. Greatness requires sacrifice, Glory requires surrender,

530
00:34:52,360 --> 00:34:56,960
Speaker 4: Heaven requires humility. Mary embraced her calling with dignity. But

531
00:34:57,080 --> 00:35:00,919
Speaker 4: with Joseph, Oh, poor Joseph, we can't help but feel

532
00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:03,400
Speaker 4: sorry for him. At first, we know that Mary is

533
00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:06,440
Speaker 4: carrying the Lord's child, but how is he supposed to

534
00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:09,799
Speaker 4: process that and take it at face value? Would you

535
00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:13,239
Speaker 4: take this story seriously at first? Of course not. It

536
00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:16,200
Speaker 4: would take divine intervention to prove a miracle like this.

537
00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:20,160
Speaker 4: Before Gabriel comes to visit him in a dream, Joseph

538
00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:24,240
Speaker 4: determines to divorce Mary secretly. By Jewish law and tradition,

539
00:35:24,600 --> 00:35:27,360
Speaker 4: he had every right to stone her in the public square,

540
00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:31,200
Speaker 4: but he was far too kind for that kindness. There's

541
00:35:31,239 --> 00:35:34,480
Speaker 4: a word that many men don't like to embody. The

542
00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:38,000
Speaker 4: brutality of history and conquest tells us that nice guys

543
00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:41,400
Speaker 4: typically finish last. But the Bible does its best to

544
00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:45,520
Speaker 4: instill a different value system. In the ancient world, greatness

545
00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:48,759
Speaker 4: was shown in strength and an ability to assert your

546
00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:53,080
Speaker 4: will over others. It wasn't untel Judeo Christian influence that

547
00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:56,399
Speaker 4: the tide begin to shift. Being merciful and humble all

548
00:35:56,400 --> 00:35:59,520
Speaker 4: of a sudden became greater virtues than strength and pride.

549
00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:03,720
Speaker 4: Frederick Meetsche observed this shift due to Christianity and sought

550
00:36:03,719 --> 00:36:07,000
Speaker 4: to decry it. He said it replaced strength for weakness,

551
00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:10,880
Speaker 4: but valuing kindness has been a force for good in history.

552
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:14,400
Speaker 4: Joseph could have asserted his force over Mary and punished her,

553
00:36:14,520 --> 00:36:18,200
Speaker 4: but instead he showed kindness. This gave room for the

554
00:36:18,280 --> 00:36:21,600
Speaker 4: voice of God to speak in his life. Joseph showing

555
00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:25,120
Speaker 4: mercy to Mary gives us flashbacks to all the times

556
00:36:25,239 --> 00:36:29,320
Speaker 4: David showed mercy when it could have shown vengeance. Joseph

557
00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:32,719
Speaker 4: truly was a son of David, and Joseph eventually came

558
00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:36,520
Speaker 4: around he realized what was about to unfold. He and

559
00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:39,520
Speaker 4: Mary were chosen to bear a heavy burden. They were

560
00:36:39,560 --> 00:36:43,480
Speaker 4: going to steward God's chosen hero. They would nurse him,

561
00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:47,120
Speaker 4: change him, teach him, and protect him, all for the

562
00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:51,240
Speaker 4: purpose of being given up as a sacrifice. What wild

563
00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:54,840
Speaker 4: and spectacular things lie ahead for them. I am excited

564
00:36:54,880 --> 00:36:58,200
Speaker 4: to continue this series with you. In our next episode,

565
00:36:58,520 --> 00:37:01,839
Speaker 4: Mary and Joseph will make the journey to Bethlehem, where

566
00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:04,640
Speaker 4: the King of the Universe will humble himself in the

567
00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:08,720
Speaker 4: warmth of a manger. Join us for episode three, God

568
00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:13,120
Speaker 4: with Us. Thank you again for listening for more inspiring stories,

569
00:37:13,280 --> 00:37:16,960
Speaker 4: daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to

570
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:20,440
Speaker 4: pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the

571
00:37:20,520 --> 00:37:25,319
Speaker 4: Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at

572
00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:30,279
Speaker 4: Tonyevans dot org Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on

573
00:37:30,360 --> 00:37:34,120
Speaker 4: Apple or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as

574
00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:37,960
Speaker 4: they come out, and always be inspired by the Bible.

575
00:37:38,360 --> 00:37:39,040
Speaker 4: God bless