By David Faust
Jesus’ mother is an intriguing character. Her name reminds us of Miriam in the Old Testament. Her story has moved musicians to write classic songs like “Ave Maria” and contemporary tunes like “Mary, Did You Know?” Painters and sculptors have tried to capture her image in paint and stone. In Islam, the Quran mentions her 70 times and affirms she was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus.
For some, Mary has become an object of religious superstition, exalted to a place of honor no human deserves. We shouldn’t idolize and worship Mary, but we can learn a lot from this faithful servant of God.
A Difficult Assignment
Dr. Luke asserts that Mary was a virgin pledged to marry Joseph when the angel Gabriel visited her in Nazareth, announcing she would give birth to a baby who “will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). How did she react to Gabriel’s message? How would you have reacted?
At first, Mary was surprised and hesitant, “greatly troubled at his words” (v. 29), and she asked a reasonable question: “How will this be . . . since I am a virgin?” (v. 34). Eventually, though, she responded with faithful surrender and said, “I am the Lord’s servant . . . . May your word to me be fulfilled” (v. 38).
What Mary Can Teach Us
Young people can learn from her example. The Bible doesn’t specify Mary’s age, but it’s clear she was a young woman—perhaps still in her teens—when she heard and obeyed God’s call to serve.
Worshipers can learn from her example. Mary praised God cheerfully and said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). The last time Mary’s name appears in Scripture, no one was praying to her; she was praying to God along with the rest of Jesus’ disciples (Acts 1:14).
Parents can learn from her example. Motherhood brings many rewards and challenges. Can you imagine what it was like to be the mother of Jesus? After hearing what the shepherds said about her baby, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). She heard the faithful old man Simeon prophesy, “A sword will pierce your own soul too” (v. 35). She watched Jesus become strong and wise as he progressed through childhood (v. 40), and she worried when at age 12 he was separated from the family and stayed behind in Jerusalem for several days. As Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” again she “treasured all these things in her heart” (vv. 51-52).
Older believers can learn from her example. Mary wasn’t merry when her other children worried about Jesus’ mental health (Mark 3:21) and her hometown neighbors took offense at him (Mark 6:1-3). It must have been agonizing to watch him die on the cross, but Jesus compassionately entrusted her to the care of his friend, the beloved disciple (John 19:25-27).
Was Mary’s life always merry? No, but it was meaningful.
Do you remember what Mary told the servants at the wedding when they ran out of wine? She referred them to Jesus and told them, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). That’s good advice for all of us.
Personal Challenge:
What impresses you most about Mary, the mother of Jesus? Has God ever given you a difficult assignment? If so, how did you respond?
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