Imagine! The promised Savior would be born to an insignificant young Jewish woman, Mary, from an insignificant little town, Nazareth. Very little is revealed about Mary’s upbringing and circumstances other than that she lived in Nazareth of Galilee. This fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that the Savior would come from humble beginnings. However, Mary was not insignificant to God.
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:1-2:40) almost seems as if Mary is telling the story. John MacArthur supposes that “Luke sought details about Jesus’ birth and life from Mary (because) he included details that only Mary could have known.”[1] Luke introduces the story with John the Baptist’s birth announcement to Zechariah. John would be born shortly before Jesus, with a God-given purpose in life: to announce the Messiah’s coming to His people. John was Jesus’ cousin through Mary’s side, and Malachi prophesied his birth (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6).
This way of telling the story makes sense. If you or I were relating a fantastic personal experience, we would probably preface our story with something that would put it in context and make it understandable. The two miraculous births sit side by side in history. One leads to the other, and God’s work is seen in both miracles.
“The promised Savior would be born to an insignificant young Jewish woman, Mary, from an insignificant little town, Nazareth.”
But even though the conception of a child while the mother is still a virgin is magnificent, the kindness of God is equally magnificent. Both Mary and Jesus were given another person who was both related and involved in their story. The acceptance along with a warm embrace that Mary received from Elizabeth would have been a great comfort to her. We do not know that Jesus and John necessarily grew up together, but both were surely aware of their miraculous birth stories. The spiritual and emotional connection between the two men would have been real.
God may ask the maximum sacrifice, but He is a loving God who does not abandon us to handle our faith duties alone.
Mary’s Faith and God’s Favor
Sometimes we hear about Mary’s “simple faith.” But we see nothing simplistic about Mary’s faith, even though she was probably a young teen. From Luke 1:29-30, we learn that Mary was “troubled.” She was alarmed, probably because of the sudden appearance of an angel. The word “troubled” indicates she was terrified or thrown into confusion. The Message uses “thoroughly shaken.” She was also “wondering” or “pondering” what the meaning of this appearance meant.
As Mary was getting her bearings, the angel comforted her. “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30a, NIV).
She responded to the news that she would give birth to the Messiah, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34, NIV).
Faithfulness does not preclude reasonable questions. Trusting requires the ability to put faith into action. The angel’s comment in verse 37 reveals Mary’s thoughts. She could not imagine how she would be able to conceive since she was a virgin. He replied, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, ESV), acknowledging that she was thinking his prediction was impossible from her experience.
Her faith was not in question, and the angel gave a clear and direct answer to her spoken and unspoken questions, simply explaining what God would do (1:35-39). He also announced that her relative Elizabeth would experience a miracle childbirth though she was barren and beyond the age of childbearing.
“The word ‘troubled’ indicates she was terrified or thrown into confusion.”
We often get confused and make faith about us. Yet the strength of faith is not found in us having it figured out; rather, its strength is found in the object of our faith. Mary was confused and even troubled, but she found strength by trusting God: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38a, NIV).
Mary’s Song
When faced with an unbelievable situation, we often fall back on our upbringing, education, or experience to deal with it. Mary’s reaction to the angel’s announcements shows her faith was based on historical events that she knew were true. She praised God in a song of praise, the Magnificat recorded in Luke 2:46-55, that reflected the history of God’s faithfulness to her people and relayed her awareness of the promise of the Messiah. At some level, Mary must have known she was the long-awaited chosen woman to bear the child that would crush Satan’s head.
Mary’s song showed that she knew her history, and she knew Jewish religious teachings. Again, she had a faith built on historical events that she knew as true. Yet the thoughts in Mary’s song clearly point toward the coming of the Messiah:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-48a, NIV; see 1 Samuel 2:1-2; Isaiah 61:10)
Expressions of praise were repeated from prophets and patriarchs when they realized God had chosen them as servants. This refrain is found in the Psalms as well. What an attitude! Instead of “I’m so worthy that God has chosen me,” it is “I’m unworthy but God has given me the gift of serving him. We need to realize that it is an honor and a privilege to serve the Most High God.
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
“From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:48b-49, NIV; see Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:13-14; Malachi 3:12)
Mary realized this would be the seed that would crush Satan’s head. She knew the messianic prophesies in Isaiah. They had been passed on for generations, and she had no reason to think that the account of this great miracle would not continue passing from generation to generation.
“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:50, NIV; see Genesis 17:1-14; Exodus 15:1-2; Psalm 103:17)
Mary had grown up with the teachings from the patriarchs and the prophets. God’s covenant with Abraham, which opened the door to God’s mercy and salvation for the world, was precisely intended to extend from generation to generation. The Psalmists celebrated God’s patience and protection for the Israelites. The prophets reminded them of God’s mercy and warned them not to take it for granted.
“He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.” (Luke 1:51, NIV; see Exodus 15:3-21; Psalm 89:11-12)
Moses’ and Miriam’s praise song when God parted the sea might have been a pattern for Mary’s praise song. To protect them from Pharaoh, God had performed many miracles and literally destroyed the threat from his army. Mary realizes the Messiah will erase the threat of sin and she accepts her part in the story with humility.
“Mary realizes the Messiah will erase the threat of sin and she accepts her part in the story with humility.”
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:52, NIV; see 1 Samuel 17; Daniel 4:28-36)
God has always proven that those who are great in their own eyes are weak. The stories of David’s victory over Goliath, and Nebuchadnezzar’s vivid dream, which predicted his own demise, are only two of many examples from Jewish history.
“He has filled the hungry with good things but he has sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:53, NIV; see Isaiah 11:1-5, 55:1-5; Psalm 107:9)
All provision comes from God. But clear biblical teaching reminds all generations not to trust in riches but to trust in God. As a poor woman, Mary realized that God was the one who provided for the poor. She trusted that she could experience God’s provision. Isaiah predicts that the Messiah would be a champion for the poor and for justice.
“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:54-55, NIV; Isaiah 11:11-12; Jeremiah 31:3)
Mary concluded her praise song with a reminder that God’s faithfulness to His people will never end. Indeed, Isaiah predicted: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
“Mary concluded her praise song with a reminder that God’s faithfulness to His people will never end.”
Challenges on the Horizon
The announcement of the angel, and the subsequent life she led, would present questions and challenges. Early on, God tenderly and carefully revealed to her what He would require of her and her Son. Trusting God affected her reputation, her marriage, and her dreams of motherhood. Nothing about her life would turn out how she had expected. What happened to her was unimaginable, yet God brought great blessing along with the difficulties. Mary, of all people, was the first-hand witness to the life of our Savior, from conception to resurrection. She knew Jesus as her Son, but God led her to see Jesus as her Savior.
When Simeon laid eyes on the eight-day-old infant, he essentially said, “Now I can die in peace” (Luke 2:25-35). He also predicted that Jesus would be powerful, yet greatly denounced. No mother wants to imagine such things about her precious newborn. But then Simeon went on to predict that “a sword will pierce your (Mary’s) own soul.” These would have been frightening words.
Anna was a prophetess and would have been well-known in the temple since she “never left the temple.” She announced to all who would hear that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 2:36-38).
“Early on, God tenderly and carefully revealed to her what He would require of her and her Son.”
Mary’s heart would have broken over King Herod’s orders to murder every baby boy around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:7-18). Even though they had escaped to Egypt, she and Joseph may well have had friends or even family members who lost their sons.
Confusion During the Ministry Years
Our first glimpse of Mary’s relationship with her adult Son, Jesus, happens at a wedding in Cana (John 2:2-11). She obviously knew he could perform miracles, yet she directed him to change the water to wine as if she were still speaking to a child. Jesus’ reply, “Woman, why do you involve me?” (John 2:4, NIV) is not disrespectful. Jesus was using a term of endearment, and though it was not yet time for him to reveal who he was, he complied.
She saw him change the water to wine, and this was enough to cause the disciples to put their faith in him (John 2:11).
Later, Mary and Jesus’ brothers felt compelled to protect him, believing that he was “out of his mind” (Mark 3:20-35; Luke 8:19-21; Matthew 12:46-50). They obviously did not understand his life’s purpose. They feared for him, and for themselves, as his actions might have caused difficulties for them. They would eventually understand that what Jesus wanted and did was different from all others. He was not working for his own life, but for His Father in Heaven. Mary must have realized by now that she would have to give up her Son. She could see the unrest that surrounded him. She knew the political situation, and she knew the times. Anyone who drew this much attention, and who consistently presented the people with leadership other than the Jewish leaders would have been at risk.
“Mary must have realized by now that she would have to give up her Son.”
When Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21, ESV) he was not rude or unkind to them, nor did he reject his mother and brothers. He was, in effect, offering them the chance to understand his mission and be a part of it. At this point, Jesus saw them as a part of humanity to whom he offered salvation. They were acting upon what they saw and understood, and their understanding was lacking.
Jesus consistently and specifically pointed out that obedience to the Word brings favor (Luke 11:27-28). We might speculate that he thought of his mother Mary and that this blessing truly included her. Not because she had birthed him and nursed him but because she had lived a life of obedience, even though she did not entirely understand who Jesus was at this point. He might have been including her as one who was obedient to God.
Mary at the Cross and Empty Tomb
At the cross, Mary’s relationship with Jesus turned from mother/child to Savior/believer (Matthew 27:32-6l, John 19:25-27). She had been nearby when Jesus was unjustly arrested and tortured. Mary, the other women, and Jesus’ core disciples endured the fear, worry, and waiting to see what the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities would eventually decide. Imagine the excruciating dread she suffered while her son was in their hands.
Enduring the agony on the cross did not cause Jesus to forget or ignore his mother’s plight. What momentous effort did it take for him to speak to her only minutes before he died, “Mother, behold your son,” referring to the apostle John?
She was at the cross and witnessed the crucifixion. But she would also have learned that the temple curtain was ripped apart; she would have felt the earthquake; she would have known that many people came out of their tombs, lepers were healed, and that later they witnessed to people in Jerusalem.
“Mary was at the cross and witnessed the crucifixion.”
And then, three days later, she was with the other women who saw the empty tomb and the dazzling angel (Matthew 28:1-10; see also Luke 24:1-10). Imagine her joy when she also saw Jesus and received his greeting. She joined the other women at his feet in worship, and she heard his instruction to tell his disciples to wait for him in Galilee.
Giving up Her Son
God gave his only Son for you and me. But Mary also gave up her Son. Mary’s faith came from the teachings she had received about God. Those teachings would have originated from the scriptures and scriptural promises that the Jewish people trusted as God’s Word. However, those same prophecies also predicted the Messiah’s suffering and death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). Mary knew her Son would suffer and be taken away from her. Mary’s extraordinary faith held her through the birth, tough ministry years, and on through the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus.
Eventually, Jesus’ brothers became followers and Mary’s son James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem.
They were present during the establishment of the church (Acts 1:12-14). James later wrote the Book of James to guide the church to fuller obedience and understanding. He too was persecuted and later martyred for his faith.
“Eventually, Jesus’ brothers became followers and Mary’s son James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem.”
God called upon Mary to trust him because he knew her heart of faith and obedience. He was able to ask great things of her, knowing the pain and suffering that she would have to endure. The idea that faith and obedience protect us from sadness and suffering in this life is wrong. When the angel announced God’s will to Mary, she had to give up her own personal plans and ideas about every area of her life. As Jesus grew into a man, she had to give up her right to control and protect Him. In the end, she had to give her firstborn Son away to suffering, and later to sacrifice one or more of her other children.
Yet Mary’s song of praise (Luke 1:46-55) held true through her life and still holds true today. We can hold on to our Savior through whatever we must endure for the faith as we live and breathe in the strength of her song:
“My soul magnifies the Lord.
And my spirit rejoices in
God my Savior.”
[1] John MacArthur, Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), 124.
