I'll tell you a curious thing: Baptists don't hear many sermons on Mary, the mother of Jesus. As a piece of anecdotal evidence (one woman's experience), I've heard more sermons about Mary of Bethany than about Mary, Jesus' mother. I've been pondering the reason for this and what I've deduced is that we are afraid to talk much about Jesus' earthly mother because some religions have venerated her far past what the Bible proclaims.
Some have, in fact, declared that she was sinless and that she remained a virgin after Jesus' birth.1 I can find nothing in the Bible to substantiate much of what we might call Marian tradition or Marian lore. But, that doesn't mean that we should ignore her in our Advent meditations. What do we find in Scripture (and only the Holy Scriptures) about Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Some of the best information comes to us from the gospel of Luke. In Luke 1:30 we read that Mary was "highly favored" by God. Who can know the mind of God? But, obviously, she was a very special young woman. God had literally chosen her among all women to give birth to Jesus. Beyond that, we have no idea what caused God the Father to choose Mary for this role. Of course, her free will was not negated. In Luke 1:38 we read how she agreed to take on this role.
First, though, she asks an intelligent question. "How can this happen, since I am a virgin?" (1:34) Most of us, myself included, would likely have been so stupefied by an angel appearing to us every sensible thought would have left our heads. Not Mary.
After receiving a satisfactory, though not fully understood, answer to that question, Mary subjects herself to the will of her God. "Be it done unto me according to your word." (1:38)
The angel, Gabriel, tells Mary that her much older and formerly barren cousin, Elizabeth, is now six months pregnant. Mary immediately determines to go see Elizabeth, since the two of them have a miraculous pregnancy in common. Elizabeth must have seemed like a harbor in a storm, to Mary, who could have thought, "Finally! Someone who will understand!" It is possible that Mary came from a family of some means, since she was able to a long trip from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah on her own. It is likely Mary was accompanied by servants to make this trip. Under no circumstances would she have been allowed to make the trip totally on her own. Still, not a "shrinking violet", was Mary!
After hearing Elizabeth's greeting, Mary speaks what Luke records as the Magnificat, which has been the subject matter of many a gorgeous piece of choral music over the centuries. The Magnificat contains several references to Old Testament scripture, which lets us know that Mary was an educated young woman. It is also the response of a mature follower of Jehovah.
One other notable characteristic about Mary: she thought deeply. We know this from the Scripture that tells us she "pondered" these events in her heart. She was a person who didn't act impulsively, but rather, thought things through. More important than that - - - she was not omniscient. She didn't know or understand everything at once. Her faith was grown and cultivated over the course of her life, much as it can be with each of us who submit to the will of our Savior.
For example, there is nothing to indicate that Elizabeth had had prior warning of Mary's visit. Their greetings to each other bear all the hallmarks of a surprise, on Elizabeth's part. No doubt, Mary was encouraged and comforted by Elizabeth's words of greeting. God used the prophetic utterance the Holy Spirit gave to Elizabeth as a confirmation for Mary.
Well, I had not intended this Advent series to turn into a Marian study, but just wanted to reflect on the mother of our Savior today. Honestly, I've become somewhat disenchanted with my Tozer study aid. It's not Tozer's fault....but, the editors who picked and chose from his writings have left me restless.
Tomorrow I think we'll look at Anna, the only woman in the New Testament to be called a prophetess. :)
Source:
1 https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/What-the-Catholic-Church-Teaches-About-Mary.cfm
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