Beauty for Ashes

The evangelist Winkey Pratney made me aware of the Christian themes of Disney’s favorite, Cinderella. The story begins with Ella, a happy little girl enjoying her life with her mom and dad in the country. Their days are filled with love, joy, and happiness. However, tragedy strikes in the form of sickness and her mother is taken away. Now her father is left to raise her. Some years pass and her father remarries. Ella gains a step-mother and two vile step sisters.

Tragedy strikes again and her father goes on a trip to never return. Ella becomes a servant girl in the home and is moved from her comfortable bedroom to the cold attic. In an attempt to get warm, Cinderella sleeps close to the fireplace and awakes with soot covering her face. Her step-sisters rename her Cinderella. However, even with all of this she remains true to a promise to her mother to always be kind and have courage.

You know the rest of the story – a Prince is looking for a bride. He falls in love with a beautiful woman at the ball (Cinderella), but loses her. He searches and searches until finally he redeems his bride, but she is a servant girl covered in ashes and soot.

Now listen to this – at the end, as she nervously enters the room, she asks him, “Will you accept me just as I am?” He responds “yes” with a loving embrace.

The Gift Exchange

In today’s message I want to look at the exchange of our ashes for His beauty.

What does a life look like under the favor of God?

Our Gift: The Ashes of Life

I’d like to use the character of Mary as an example of all of us this morning. Mary was highly favored and blessed, but for much of her life you wouldn’t know it.

When we usually think of Mary we think about a cute young innocent woman/girl who happens to be the winning candidate to be the mother of King Jesus. But when we really look at Mary as a person in situations that she didn’t ask for, I think we can often find ourselves.

An Unexplained Baby Bump

Mary wasn’t married at conception and likely wasn’t married for much of the pregnancy. By the time she had received the announcement from Gabriel and stayed the 1st trimester with her cousin, Elizabeth, she would have been noticeably pregnant.

A Source of Gossip

As mentioned, Mary’s pregnancy was scandalous to everyone who knew her. Was her account of the situation even plausible? There was no historical context to make her even believable. 30 years later, the community still tried to insult Jesus and his mother.

John 8:41 NIV

41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

You are doing the works of your own father.”

John 8:41 NIV

41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

No Life of Luxury for Mary

When the time came for Jesus to be born, Mary and Joseph were not accepted into the penthouses of Bethlehem. They were only offered the simplest solution to a roof over their heads – a stable. Must have been a contradiction for Mary. Here she is with a miraculous baby. Shouldn’t the pregnancy be easy and the birth a breeze? If the birthplace wasn’t luxurious, couldn’t it at least be comfortable and clean?

Living as a Fugitive

Shortly after the Magi shared with King Herod that there was another king in his realm, King Herod issued a decree that all the male children under 3 would be killed. Mary and Joseph gathered Jesus and what they could take with them and fled to Egypt.

Life as a refugee…

Single Parenting

Mary was widowed shortly after Jesus was 12. Now a single mother of 7, what was she to do?

Matthew 13:55–56 NIV

55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

What does a life look like under the favor of God? I’m sure Mary didn’t expect this. It’s supposed to be easier. It’s supposed to be picture perfect. I ought to be sending out perfect Christmas pictures with a husband, 2 kids, and a dog all dressed up.

Rejected by Her Hometown

By the time Jesus was 30 he had begun his ministry openly. His hometown rejected Him. How could the prophet Isaiah point at Jesus, Mary’s son? They became so enraged that they were attempted to push Jesus off a cliff.

Luke 4:22–30 NIV

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

His brothers didn’t even believe…

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ”

John 7:3–5 NIV

3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

The Woodlands/Magnolia/Tomball area has become a big area but I can tell you from growing up in a small town – everybody knows your business. Everyone knows who you are and it couldn’t have been easy in Nazareth.

His brothers didn’t even believe…

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Death of Her Son

Parents are not supposed to attend the funerals of their own sons, not to mention a public crucifixion. Almost without an exception, Israel’s religious and public leaders demanded his execution. The crowds demanded it and preferred a scoundrel’s release from prison instead of her son’s.

Blessed? Highly favored? A look at her life would suggest that she wasn’t, but we know she was. Now let’s see how this ugliness gets exchanged for God’s Beauty.

Mike Bickle writes, “In other words, Jesus’ life and ministry did not appear to be as “great” as Gabriel promised. By many standards, it seemed to be just the opposite. Again and again, Mary had to believe the promises of God and trust His good leadership.”

Now, we are considering Gifts Exchanges – our ugliness for His beauty. Perhaps after hearing of all the troubles that Mary had in her life you can somehow identify. Life is not going the way you thought it would be. Maybe you are entering this Christmas season with a heavy heart and having trouble seeing the beauty of Christmas.

Dale Carnegie once said, “Two men looked out from prison bars: one saw the mud the other the stars.”

Mary saw the stars!

God’s Gift: He Makes Mary Beautiful

Why Mary? I believe we can find clues to Mary in her response to the news that she would be the Savior’s mother.

Mary’s Song

Luke 1:46–56 NIV

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Luke 1:46-

God’s Intimacy is Beautiful

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

God’s Intimacy is Beautiful

Mary said that the Lord was mindful of her. Imagine her understanding that God Himself would take notice of her, choose her to bear the Son of God.

Intimacy with God is a gift that each of us as believers share. The old hymn that says “He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way” is true. He knows each of us by name, has a heavenly name for each of us, knows the number of hairs on your head, is in our hearts, knows what we are thinking, and desires to speak with (not just to) us.

God’s Mercy is Beautiful

God’s grace is giving us what we don’t deserve. His mercy is not giving us what we do deserve.

Robert Robinson had been saved out of a life of sin through George Whitfield’s ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Streams of mercy, never ceasing.” Sadly, Robinson wandered far from those streams and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into a life of carnality. One day he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it. “Prone to wander Lord, I feel it Prone to leave the God I love.” Bursting into tears, Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I could enjoy the feelings I had then.” Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the “streams of mercy” mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning his “wandering heart” to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship. (Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories, p. 52).

His Strength is Beautiful

People react differently to strength or might. I think it has a lot to do with past experiences and whether you’ve been protected by might or injured by it. God’s strength is measured. On one hand He creates worlds and carves canyons. On the other hand, he measures out His mercy and grace. The Holy Spirit speaks gently into my life but manifests supernaturally in healing us by restoring burnt flesh, straightening backs, defying gravity, and bringing the dead back to life. He is the unseen hand behind all things and our protector whether we are aware or not.

His Care and Help are Beautiful

Mary sang,

Luke 1:53–54 NIV

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

Did you come hungry to church today? Did you come needing to be helped? I trust that you found food and help in the presence of the Lord today. The Bible tells us about a woman that Jesus encountered at a well. She never should have been able to speak to Jesus but He was there anyway. She later told her family and friends, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did.” Well, He did more than that. He offered her Living Water and she would never be thirsty again – the Spirit. He exposed her life, but she took no offense and actually celebrated it.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

When Christ is your Savior you are enveloped in His care and empowered by His help.

Let’s go back to the realities of Mary’s life – poverty, hardship, ostracized, single—parenting, family quarrels, death of her son, and more. It seems like her life should be a “soup sandwich” but it’s not. God has brought His beauty into her ugly situations…and He’ll do it for you and me.

One more thing before we close…Let’s go to the OT.

He Gives Us Beauty for Ashes

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Isaiah 61:1–3 NIV

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-

This passage gets quoted by Jesus early in His ministry. Jesus prophecies that He will:

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.

This passage gets quoted by Jesus early in His ministry. Jesus prophecies that He will:

Give good news to the poor

Heal broken hearts

Free the captives

Proclaim a year of Jubilee

Comfort the mourning

Give a crown to those wearing ashes

Provide the oil of joy and a garment of praise

AND, finally, God will make us oaks of righteousness

Christ provides a bountiful load of beautiful gifts for us when we surrender ourselves to Him.

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