Leadership Lessons from Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Today is January 20, 2020

When will baby Mika be born?!

I’m sitting here feeling I am the only family member who is anxious about the wait for baby Mika to be born! Everyone else, including Daddy and Mommy and three big sisters and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa and all the aunts and uncles seem to be as calm as cucumbers!

Can you imagine Mary, the Mother of Jesus and her level of anticipation compared to mine? After all, she was pregnant having never known a man, she was unmarried in a culture that could’ve chosen to stone her to death, and she was going to bear THE Messiah!

Read Luke 1:26-38

Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from 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. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The angel told Mary she was highly favored, God was with her, she was blessed among women, she should not be afraid, and she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, the son of God!

Leadership Lessons surrounding Mary – What NOT to Do!

Imagine! As soon as Herod found out about the coming birth of Jesus, he set out to do all he could to kill Him. He felt threatened, as he should have! Instead of sharing his power he abused his power.

Are you following a leader who abuses his/her power? What will you do about it?

In what ways do you lead and exercise your power wrongly? What needs to change?

Leadership Lessons surrounding Mary – Godly Examples

Imagine!

-God planned from the very beginning of time to prepare the world for His coming and to save the world! God was with Mary! God is with you!

– God blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth with a son and gave them opportunities to minister to Mary. They were also told not to be afraid, that they would bear a son, that they should call his name John, and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord. Zacharias and Elizabeth cared for Mary. God provides others who care for you!

-God blessed Joseph. He was also told not to be afraid, and to take Mary as his wife. He married her and helped her to raise Jesus and His siblings. Thank Him for your parents, spouse, children.

-God led wise men from the East to worship Jesus and to offer valuable gifts to Joseph and Mary. List the innumerable gifts of value you have received from the Lord!

-God allowed Simeon to see Christ and to bless him. He allows you to bless others. Who will you bless this week?

-God prompted Anna to fast and pray, day and night without leaving the temple and to give thanks to Him for Jesus. Who does God bring to mind that you should fast and pray for this week?

–God provided an angel to instruct Joseph exactly when to move and where to keep His family safe! How can you listen to Him more intently this week?