GOD’S WOMAN: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Historically, little is known about Mary. She was a peasant girl from the tribe of Judah and the line of King David. The names of her parents are never mentioned in the Bible. Based on the knowledge of Mary’s character found in Scriptures, it’s believed that she came from a family of devout Jews. She most likely lived in an extended household/family unit and her life would have revolved around her home. Mary would have spent an average of 10 hours a day on domestic chores, such as carrying water from a stream or well, gathering wood for the fire, cooking meals and washing utensils and clothes. She would have worn homespun wool or linen, loose-fitting clothing, which would have been a natural cream color or dyed, faded pink or soft steel grey. In the culture that Mary lived, it’s doubtful that she knew how to read or write, since literacy was extremely rare among women of the time. They were not typically trained in the Scriptures; however, the culture was highly oral with public reading of the Scriptures. Mary did show evidence of knowing the Scriptures as seen in the Magnificat, Mary’s beautiful song to God in Luke 1:46-55.
She was contracted at a young age to marry a man named Joseph, who was a carpenter. Like Mary, he was also descended from the royal line of David. Before their marriage took place, an angel appeared to Mary telling her that she was to become the mother of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. (Luke 1:26-35) Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary to carry His Son? She was young, poor, unknown, had no family wealth or inheritance, no social status and was uneducated; however, her response to the angel clearly exhibited her obedient heart towards God. In Luke 1:38 she says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Though she seemingly had nothing to offer, she was honored and blessed by God to take part in His redemption of mankind.
*** Mary was a woman of faith who had a deep love for God and an obedient spirit! ***
Being an unmarried mother in her culture was very difficult. People were not seen as individuals, but members of their clan and any action of an individual reflected on the whole group. Soon after Mary became pregnant, she left Nazareth to visit her cousin Elizabeth, which may have actually been a way to get her out of harm’s way. An unmarried, pregnant girl was in real danger from outraged relatives! At first, Joseph, son of Heli (Luke 3:23) didn’t believe Mary and was reluctant to marry her, knowing that he wasn’t the father of her child. People would point fingers at them and their reputations would be destroyed even if he married her because people would know that it wasn’t his child. If he exposed her, he would have to stand by and watch her be stoned to death. Fortunately, after hearing from an angel (Matthew 1:20) that he should take Mary as his wife, they were married and left Nazareth shortly thereafter to take part in a census in Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral town.
*** Mary was a woman willing to face scorn, ridicule and even death to please her God! ***
Perhaps Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem, but there’s no evidence to confirm how she actually got there. Other forms of transportation at the time were: camel, horse, horse-drawn cart – or walking! Since many people would have been traveling for the census, Mary and Joseph could have also joined a caravan to insure their safety from bandits. But, no matter what the mode of transportation, traveling the distance of 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been difficult for Mary in her advanced stage of pregnancy!
*** Mary was a woman who was not afraid to face physical hardships in order to obey God. ***
Mary and Joseph may have been in Bethlehem for days or even weeks before Jesus was born. The Bible states: “While they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” (Luke 2:6) There’s no evidence that Joseph spoke with an innkeeper or that Jesus was born in a barn, cave or stable. The Bible tells us that “he was laid in a manger because there was no room for him in the “inn” (Luke 2:7), which could have been a guest room in a personal residence. The birth of Jesus is recorded in Luke 2:1-20. Can you imagine giving birth to your first child with no place to stay, no midwife and no cradle for your new baby?
*** Mary was a woman who was willing to face her fear of the unknown because she chose to put her trust in God and not her circumstances! ***
Mary’s service to God did not end that first Christmas when Jesus was born. Jesus lived with her for 30 years, most of them in their poor Nazareth home. How was she able to avoid showing favoritism to Jesus among her other children? Mary’s other sons were named: Joseph, James, Judas and Simon. Jesus had sisters as well but they were unnamed. (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3) She couldn’t surround her Son with wealth, but she offered Him gifts of much more infinite value than material advantages. She gave Him birth, she (along with Joseph) gave Him a home, and raised Jesus in a culture of purity of heart, obedience and love, and provided Him with His basic education.
***Mary was a willing vessel, committed to raising the One who spoke the universe into existence! ***
As part of this devotional message, it was suggested that I tell you how I’m able to personally relate to the Biblical woman that I chose to write about. Several years ago, I believe that I had some of the same thoughts and feelings that Mary may have experienced. I had a son named Greg, who was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy at age 5. As Mary may have looked
for answers from the Scriptures to discover her son’s future, I sought answers regarding my son’s future by going to the Hershey Medical Center Library to research the attributes and progression of the type of MD that my son had. I was saddened to learn that my son’s life on this earth would be shortened and he would most likely endure much
pain leading up to his death. I believe that Mary also felt sadness as the full extent of what her son would suffer became apparent to her. Just as Mary observed conditions for Jesus worsen with each passing year, I watched Greg’s health continue to deteriorate. However, I never lost sight of his eternal destination and, at the moment that Greg’s soul left his earthly body and my arms, I knew that he was in the loving arms of his Savior, Mary’s son, Jesus. And just as Mary has been reunited with her son, I know that when I’m called home, I’ll be reunited with Greg!
Mary was a woman of faith who loved God deeply, had an obedient spirit, was willing to face scorn, ridicule and death to please her God, endure physical hardships, face her fear of the unknown, trust God no matter what the circumstances and she was a wiling vessel to carry out God’s Plan! Her last words recorded in the Bible are “Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you.” (John 2:5) Won’t you join me in following Mary’s example of a life lived for God? As we strive to “Do whatever Jesus tells us to do,” our lives will be blessed beyond measure by our loving Father and His Son!
