Scripture Reading: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:16,18-25; Luke 1:27–Luke 3; Luke 1:46-55; John 19:25-28; Galatians 4:4-5
There are at least 6 “Mary’s” listed in the books given above for our reading. The mother of Jesus is always identified for us in the Scriptures. Most of the time she is called, “Mary, mother of Jesus.” Or sometimes when she is called just “Mary,” it will be told in further Scriptures that she was the mother of Jesus.
We mentioned in our study of Eve, that Eve was different from any other woman that ever lived. Eve was created and therefore never was a baby or a child, and she never had parents. Mary was like all other women. She was a baby, a child and an adult. The thing that is different about Mary, is that God used her in a special way—different from any other person. No one will ever be used in the same way that Mary was. She certainly received a special blessing; however, she was a human being like all the rest of us. She was born just as everyone has been born, with the exception of Adam and Eve.
We don’t find Mary’s name mentioned in the Old Testament however, in Isaiah 7:14 we read,
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
She is mentioned in Old Testament prophecies, but always just as a virgin. It was not the time to reveal who the virgin would be.
We can find references about Mary in all the four gospels, especially in the book of Luke. In Luke 1:26-27 we find this stated,
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.”
The following verses in Luke tell us that the angel brought her a message. First she was told that she was “highly favoured and blessed among women.” Mary at first was startled and probably somewhat fearful at such a greeting. The angel told her not to fear and that she had found favor with God. Then she was told she would bring forth a child and call His name “Jesus” (Saviour) and He shall be the Son of the Highest! Mary began to question how this could be when she wasn’t even married and had never been with a man. Then the angel answered her in verse 35.
“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Even though Mary probably did not understand all things, her answer shows a complete surrender to the Lord.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)
No other woman will ever be asked to do what Mary did. No other woman would have this privilege. However, we are told in Romans 12:1,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
We, today should yield ourselves completely to the Lord to be used for His glory in our bodies throughout our life on earth.
Mary had many experiences through her years of raising the child Jesus. As we read the Scriptures above, we see that many times she “pondered these things in her heart,” or she “kept these things in her heart.” The Lord Jesus asking questions and giving answers when He was left at Jerusalem, the miracles He performed, the life of service to the Father, gave Mary many things to think about in her heart. However, she showed her faith and belief in Jesus and in His power telling the servants, “Whatsoever He says unto you, do it.” She knew He had all power and could do all things. If we see this, we should take heed to that little phrase, “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” We should look into the Scripture to see what He says for us today, and do it.
Sometimes people think that the Lord was rude, or didn’t speak to Mary in the right way. I don’t believe He ever spoke in a harsh way to Mary, but rather He was separating Himself from this earth to “finish the work that the Father gave Him to do.” I believe that Mary must have seen this. Read Mary’s reaction each time the Lord spoke to her. Notice that we are told in Luke 2:51,
“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
Even as a child growing up He was obedient and in subjection to His parents. He was respectful and showed concern and compassion for His mother, even on the cross of Calvary. One of the times that He spoke, when on the cross, was to Mary, His earthly mother. He said in John 19:27-28,
“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
After the death of Christ, we read about Mary in the book of Acts chapter 1. In verses 13-14, we see the disciples, and Mary the mother of Jesus, with his brethren, together in an upper room to pray.
One of the last times we find Mary mentioned (not by name) is in Galatians 4:4,
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Yes, God was able to use Mary in a very special and blessed way. Not because she was more divine than any one else, but because she had faith in His Word. She also obeyed and gave herself to be used of God. Mary is not God. Mary is not our Intercessor. We do not pray to Mary. We do not worship Mary. The Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and God the Son. He is the one that we go through to reach the Father. However, we know that Mary was highly favoured and blessed of the Lord.
