Mary, the Mother of Jesus

GOLDEN TEXT: “And Mary said, My soul cloth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” —Luke 1:46,47

LUKE 2:41-55; ACTS 1:14

THE Prophet Isaiah wrote, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14) Mary was that virgin. While espoused to Joseph, she had not become his wife at the time the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the great king of promise, the ruler who was to come through the line of David. Gabriel said to her, “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”—Luke 1:31,32

Thus Mary became the mother of the Son of God, and it was by this arrangement that the “Word,” or “Logos,” became flesh and dwelt on the earth, suffering and dying for the sins of the world. (John 1:14) Mary did not become the mother of God, as is generally supposed in many professed Christian circles. At the time of the angel’s announcement she did not fully understand all that was involved, but she did rejoice in God’s providences, and she recognized that the God of Israel was acting to bring deliverance to this oppressed people. Thus, as in our Golden Text, she refers to him as her Savior.

And God is the great Author of the plan of salvation. Through Jesus he has provided salvation for Adam and the entire human race fathered by Adam. (I Cor. 15:21,22) But God himself did not come to earth and die on the cross. It was his son Jesus who was made flesh for the suffering of death. And it was by the grace of God that Jesus tasted death for every man. He was God’s representative on t h e earth, and it was therefore appropriate that the name Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” should be given to him.—Heb. 2:9

Not a great deal of information is given to us in the Scriptures concerning Mary herself. Unquestionably she must have been a noble woman, appropriately fitted for the role which was hers in the divine plan. Every mention that is made of her indicates that she was a reverent woman, devoted to God, and to her Son, whom she was convinced was the great Messiah and King of promise.

However, Mary is mentioned a few times in the New Testament. When Jesus was twelve years of age she and Joseph took him with them on one of their pilgrimages to Jerusalem. As they were about to return home Jesus slipped away from them and was lost for a time. They finally found him in the temple discussing matters with the doctors of the Law. When gently chided by Mary, for causing them concern, Jesus said to his mother, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business”—Luke 2:39-52

There is nothing in this record to indicate much concerning the character of Mary, except that she was a devoted mother, ever solicitous for the welfare of her son. Later, after Jesus began his ministry, she and her family attempted to see Jesus. Someone announced her presence to him, and expressed her desire to speak to him. (Matt. 12:46-48) This was the time when Jesus asked just who the people to whom he was speaking supposed his mother and family to be. Pointing to his disciples he said, “Behold my mother and my brethren!” And this, Jesus explained, applies to all who are dedicated to the doing of his Father’s will.—Matt. 12:46-50

The devoted Mary was near the cross when Jesus was crucified. It was here that Jesus gave Mary to understand that he was placing her in the hands of the beloved John, and indicated to John that he was to care for Mary as though she was his mother.—John 19:25-27

Mary’s name is last mentioned in Acts 1:14, where it is shown that she was among the disciples who waited in the Upper Room for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The fact that she was one of this faithful company of disciples indicates clearly that she not only loved Jesus as her son, but that she became one of his followers.

QUESTIONS

Which is correct: to say that Mary was the mother of God, or the mother of the Son of God?

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be born of a woman?

Cite the main circumstances under which Mary’s name is mentioned in the New Testament.

How do we know that Mary was not given great prominence in the Early Church?

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