Mary, the Mother of Jesus - Part I

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has suffered much. Certainly she suffered in her life. But she has been mistreated in a variety of other ways. The biblical Mary is hardly recognizable due to the man-made traditions that have become attached to her. Some have declared out of the thin air of human speculation that Mary was “preserved free from all stain of human sin.” In other words, Mary is not to be viewed as a sinner like the rest of fallen humanity. The reasoning is that since she was instrumental in victory over Satan she could not have been under Satan’s dominion (not a sinner). The theological abuse of Mary gets even worse for it is claimed that, “So also one can scarcely draw near to the Son except through his mother.” Mary would be more than embarrassed at such a remake of her honored role as the mother of Jesus.

God has given us a portrait of truth in the life of Mary. The same Spirit who brought about the conception of the Christ child in the womb of Mary has given us the record of the ways of God in her life. This offers us a way of marveling at the wonders of God’s grace in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. God’s grace to Mary is evident in the beginning of the story of redemption. God said that it would be through her that judgment would come upon Satan (Gen. 3:15). She was to have a vital role in the conflict between God and Satan by giving birth to the one who would deliver a final and fatal death blow to Satan. According to Old Testament prophesy and the confirming announcement by the angel Gabriel Jesus was to be conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 7:14; Lk. 1:31). In the infinite wisdom of God and by His omnipotence He chose for the eternal second person of the Trinity to take on Himself humanity without a human father. The miraculous birth of Jesus Christ is a witness to His uniqueness. Only God incarnate could be the Savior of sinners (Heb. 2:9, 14, 15). Mary had not done anything to deserve such a role in redemptive history. Her honor was due to God’s grace (“Hail, favored One!”). All the glory goes to God, not Mary. Elizabeth’s song focuses upon adoration of God for what He had done for Mary (Lk. 1:42-45). This is not to diminish the fact that Mary was honored by being chosen to give birth to the Messiah. But Mary’s blessedness depended entirely on her son and his greatness. To refer to Mary as the “mother of God” can easily be misunderstood. Mary was not the mother of the divine nature of Jesus. Her DNA contributed to the humanity of Jesus, but she did conceive God in her womb.

At this point we can draw a refreshing drink of cold water from the well of truth regarding Mary. Though our circumstances certainly differ from those of Mary we can know that God has a sovereign plan for our lives and will accomplish it through Jesus Christ. Be assured, Christian, that the days of our lives are written in God’s book (Psa. 139:16). Each of us has a role to fulfill in the drama of redemption. Mary’s role was most unusual, but by the indwelling presence of Christ in the believer and the power of the Holy Spirit Christ is incarnated through us. The conception of spiritual life within us by the Spirit’s work of regeneration is a miracle. Rejoice ye pure in heart. And keep this in mind as well. Like Mary, God comes to us and uses us not because of who and what we are, but because of who and what He is. He did not choose us because He saw us believing or because we merited His favor in some way. We deserve the opposite of what we receive, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9).

Mary willingly submitted to God’s will for her role in the dear Savior’s birth (Lk. 1:38, 46-55). Imagine the shock involved in receiving the news that she was to be the mother of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. It is understandable that Mary was a bit perplexed as to the method of fulfillment (“How can this be since I am a virgin?”). But as the angel explained what God was going to do she was submissive and humbled by it all. She knew that people would misunderstand her pregnancy and was aware of her lowly social position. But Mary believed God and was willing to accept the embarrassment, suspicion, and the pain necessary to bring into the world the One who would “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Lk. 1:33). As God’s instrument of hope for a lost world, Mary is an example of a response of obedience to God’s will. This truth is the hallmark of every disciple of Jesus Christ (“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” Matt. 16:24.). Mary became the model for how a disciple of the One who was in her womb should live. Are we equally willing to embrace selfless living, a loose attachment to things, and fearless obedience for the glory of Christ?

Some have showered upon Mary such titles as the Queen of the Apostles, Queen of Heaven, Queen of the Angels, the Door of Paradise, Mother of Mercy, and Mother of Grace. But all this can easily betray one fact, namely, that Mary needed a Savior like all the rest of sinful humanity (Lk. 1:46, 47; Jn. 2:4). She was not free from sin but was God’s chosen vessel to bear Jesus “who will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). “The Mother of Grace” was one of those who needed to be saved from sin. Mary was not exempted from fallenness (Rom. 3:23). The universality of sin is the result of God’s judgment upon the race because of Adam’s transgression. Our only hope for forgiveness comes through Christ who bore our guilt on the cross. Reader, have you experienced God’s forgiveness in Christ? Christ was “made a curse for us”(Gal. 3:13). He bore the curse of God which was due us because of our sins. Sin is an offense to God and we can never hope to live in His presence unless our guilt is pardoned. Do you know that pardon? Come as you are to God and receive what He alone can give you. Right now rely on Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then you can enjoy the sweetness of God’s forgiveness and the pleasure of eternal life.

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church