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“Things We See In Mary, The Mother Of Christ”
Categories: Bible, MaryThings We See In Mary, The Mother Of Christ
Jarrod Jacobs
Jesus’ mother Mary stands out as a great example of a godly woman. She was the one chosen by God to be Jesus’ mother (Lk. 1:28), and as a result, she has become the focus of admiration, but sadly, gossip and slander, and even idolatrous acts. It seems that folks’ reaction to Mary has run the “spectrum” just as it has with Jesus. In this article, let us see what God said about Mary.
Early in Bible history, we read about this one who would give birth to the Savior. She was not specifically named; however, she is described for us in Genesis 3:15. Another passage which speaks of Jesus’ birth and of His mother is Isaiah 7:14. It says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Upon reading about Mary in the books of Matthew and Luke, we learn she is a virgin chosen to bear God’s Son (Lk. 1:34). She was the fulfillment of God’s prophecy, and served the Lord’s purpose, not only in bearing a son, but also in raising Him (Lk. 2:51).
What we are told about her character revolves around the events of God choosing her to be the mother of Christ. When we read about her during this time, we find a young woman whose example ought to be emulated by young girls today.
Probably the most obvious characteristic is that she is an example of moral purity. She did not commit sexual sin with anyone and sin against God and her body (I Cor. 6:18; Lk. 1:34; Heb. 13:4).
In addition to this, we see Mary as humble and obedient to God. When Gabriel told her she was chosen, and answered her questions, her response was: “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38). Her attitude was not unlike Noah, Moses, and many others (Gen. 6:22; Ex. 40:16, 39:42-23). She obeyed the Lord and was blessed for it.
Please understand though, that as great as Mary was, she was not sinless. Romans 3:23 applies to her just as it does to everyone else on earth. Jesus died for the remission of her sins, just as He died for the remission of everyone else’s sin (Matt. 20:28, 26:28). At the same time, she was not born in sin. The Bible does not teach this. The Bible teaches the opposite, declaring, “The soul that sins will die” (Ezek. 18:4, 20). The sins she would have committed came as a result of her yielding to Satan’s temptation (Jas. 1:14-15).
Sadly, people throughout history have made more of Mary than God ever intended. This issue began while she was living. One time, a woman cried out to Jesus and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus corrected her by saying: “Blessed rather, are those who hear the word of God, and keep it” (Lk. 11:27-28). Mary was not then nor is she now deserving of worship. Only God is deserving of worship (Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 19:10, 22:9)! She is not deity. She was a humble servant, like many others in the Bible. At the same time, she is not a mediator. Only Christ serves in this work (I Tim. 2:5-6).
While on earth, she served a very important role. Yet, to give her undue glory is not right. It is just as wrong to give her undue glory as it is to place upon her scorn and ridicule as if she were guilty of sexual relations before marriage! (Many have said this through the years.) She was not guilty of fornication.
Mary strikes me as a kind, virtuous, considerate woman. Certainly, her example ought to be remembered, just as we remember the examples of Noah, Hannah, Ruth, Moses, Peter, Paul, Phoebe, and others. Young women today who follow her example will be blessed, as well as their families. Fathers and mothers, what are you doing to encourage your daughters to act like Mary?
