FamB23.   Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3.   Abram (Abraham) was very old and had no heir; and his wife was beyond her childbearing years.  It could have easily been that Abraham should have had every reason to think that his family line would have had no future; but, nonetheless, he “put his faith in the Lord, who credited to him as an act of righteousness.” “The Lord took note of Sarah as he had said he would.” “Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age.” The Lord is faithful to those who are faithful to him.

Luke 2:22-40.  Mary and Joseph came to the Temple as practicing Jews.  Simeon and Anna, representing the Judaism that the Lord had first established in Abraham and Sarah, received the baby Jesus, as the unique One, who was to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for (God’s) your people Israel.” However, Simeon warns Mary: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” This baby Jesus was divinity taking on humanity so to sacrifice himself on the cross for the redemption of Abraham’s descendants and all the People of God.  In Jesus God was faithful to his people, even to the point of suffering and death.

Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19.    Abraham is the paragon or saint of faith.  Despite every reason to not believe, he believed and for his belief in the face of unbelief, he triumphed.  Simeon prophesized that Mary was also to be tested and challenged.  Mary’s greatness is not so much in her being physically Jesus’ mother but rather her faith in the faithfulness of God her Father.  She was to believe to the cross and beyond.