When we say the name Mary in association with biblical texts, the first thought that comes to our minds is that she is the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. All Christian denominations revere her as a very special woman. She was the kind of person that had no equal since she was chosen by God himself for the greatest task a female could ever perform. Let’s look at some Bible verses to see if we can know her a little better.
According to the culture of the day, Mary was probably 14 or 15 years old when she was selected to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She was young and devout. She was also part of the lineage of King David.
Again, the custom of the day is not a single ceremony in which a couple became married. She was espoused to Joseph, which means in modern terms they were engaged. This period lasted approximately one year. Her future life as they understood it would be somewhat stable since Joseph already had an established carpentry business. By many biblical scholars, it is likely he died at an early age leaving her with four sons and several daughters besides Jesus himself. Not until Christ’s resurrection did his family believe that he was the Messiah. Mary leaned toward his unique life quickly when he performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. She told the servants to do whatever he instructed them.
In reply to the angel who told her she was going to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit, Mary said, “be it unto me according to thy word.” Suddenly she found herself in a new world where not only was she miraculously pregnant but her cousin Elizabeth at an older age was also pregnant. The words that she spoke to Elizabeth were taken to be a song used by the early church. In reply to Elizabeth’s comments at their meeting, Mary said, “my soul does magnify the Lord.” In the song she delivered to Elizabeth, she referred to herself as the Savior.
She must’ve been a very introspective person. According to Luke 2:19, Mary kept these things that happened to her and pondered them in her heart. To ponder means to have deep reflection and meditation over the event. Her life included a significant appreciation to God for her being chosen as the Savior’s mother. Privately, she thought of her experiences over and over.
When Mary was at the temple with Joseph and the baby Jesus, an old man blessed her. However, it must’ve struck deeply within her soul when he continued by saying, “behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be spoken against.” His prophecy was a bit confusing. Nonetheless his prophecy must have been bewildering and somewhat hurtful.
It is unmanageable how one could stand at the foot of the cross and watch her beloved son be in anguish. She looked up at her firstborn, whose face was so mutilated he was hardly recognizable. She followed with the rest of the group of dejected disciples who were in one accord praying and making supplication to God. No doubt she encouraged her adult children to accept the divinity of their brother.
The Catholic doctrine of immaculate conception did not apply to Mary herself but to her mother. The goal in that teaching was that Mary was born in a perfect environment from a sinless woman. Of course, the Bible does not substantiate this teaching. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that she is the intermediary between man and Jesus or men and God. She is the most honorable woman to be revered with all respect but was not perfect and had no supernatural powers. Perhaps she had more than those abilities in that she could remain strong while giving birth to multiple children, endure the death of her husband, and witness her son being murdered publicly. The strength and determination Mary had to serve God is an example for all of us to seek that level of devotion.
Christian Writer 