Mary Did You Know: The Rehearsal

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

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.

Art Deco Train Station | Omaha, NE | November 2022

Pastor Chris Bodley walked across the chancel from left to right, all the while recounting the arc of God’s redemption story. He went from creation to Abraham, Moses and the Exodus, Joshua and the Promised Land, David and his glorious reign, Isaiah and his prophecies, Malachi and his last word in the Old Testament era. Then he continued on to Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. He then pointed us toward our final hope of glory when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead.

By the time he was finished, I was nearly in tears. It was a powerful reminder of God’s work throughout history. I can close my eyes and see him doing this some 30 years later.

In this song, Mark Lowry does a forward-looking reminiscing as he has Mary ponder the things that would happen in the future of Jesus. It’s a clever technique: He takes us back to a time when Jesus was born, and asks Mary if she had any idea of the things Jesus would do – all of which we know today. And what glorious things Jesus has done:

• Walking on water – in the dark of the stormy night – and calming the hearts of his disciples and stilling the storm. – Matthew 14:22-33
• Healing 2 blind men as he left Jericho, asking them, “What do you want me to do for you?” They answer, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” ³⁴ And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. – Matthew 20:29-34
• Jesus is the Son of God who became flesh so that Mary would literally kiss the face of God. – John 1:14
• Unblocking the ears of the deaf man, “…taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. ³⁴ And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. – Mark 7:31-37
• Being moved with compassion at the pool of Bethesda, “Jesus said to [the lame man], ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ ⁹ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.” – John 5:1-29
• He was and is the perfect Lamb of God as John testified: “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” – John 1:29-34
• Jesus is the Great I AM. He himself made this remarkable claim: Before Abraham was, I AM.” – John 8:48-59

Such a wonderful rehearsal of Jesus’ ministry. All this leading up to the ultimate act of miracle and mercy: Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. By this he has delivered not only Mary, but you and me. We look forward to that Great Last Day when we who look to him in faith will be delivered into his presence with joy and eternal praise for this baby boy who now reigns at the right hand of God.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.