Mary A Woman of Faith
article by Robert Berendt
There are many remarkable events that have taken place in the history of mankind—and many remarkable people involved in these events.
Perhaps the greatest events in human history were the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the most remarkable people involved was a young woman named Mary. God chose this young woman to bear His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He chose carefully and wisely. Mary had the qualities of character and genetic background that God was seeking. She had the highest standards of personal behavior and of devotion to God and His way of life.
Mary was most likely a teenager when she was engaged to Joseph. Both of them were descendants of King David, though they were not considered among the aristocrats of Israel. Mary was related to Elizabeth, the wife of the priest, Zacharias. Very little is said about Mary’s childhood or outlook on religion. She appears suddenly in scripture as the one God selected to bear and give birth to Jesus Christ.
Luke:1:26-28[26]And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,[27]To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.[28]And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. records that Mary was a virgin who was betrothed to Joseph. Unlike our custom of an engagement, a betrothal was a legally binding commitment to marriage, confirmed by an oath. The angel addressed Mary as “highly favored” and said, “the Lord is with you.” The angel went on to explain what was to happen—Mary knowing that if she was found to be pregnant before marriage, she could be put to death. Her answer is an inspiration to us all. Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke:1:38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.). She did not just remain silent as though she had no control. Mary said, “Yes!”
Her answer reflected unconditional faith towards God. It reflected the complete trust that God requires of those He chooses. It was similar to the trust Abraham showed when God tested him with the requested sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis:22:2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.). God did not reveal all that He had in mind for Abraham, and He did not reveal the future in all its detail to Mary. At the presentation of Jesus before God, a righteous old man was inspired to tell Mary that Jesus had a great destiny to fulfill and that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke:2:25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him., 35). What could all of this mean? Mary and Joseph “marveled” (Luke:2:33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.) at these words. Mary treasured each event and word in her heart (Luke:2:51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.), but did not question what God had planned.
Trusting in God
Mary likely did not expect that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, or that she and Joseph would have to flee to Egypt. She experienced some wonderful things during the pregnancy and birth, but the true purpose of Jesus’ life and the events that would change the course of the world were hidden from her. She did not expect to be standing at the foot of the cross and watching her Son die a horrible death. It was only later that she, too, knew Jesus’ true identity and purpose. God did not have to ask Mary for her continued obedience; He knew she was committed and the answer would always be, “Yes.”
Mary and Joseph continued on with their lives. Joseph was the father of their other children. God made all the necessary arrangements for the birth of Jesus and the flight to Egypt. He brought the Magi to visit and bring the gifts for Joseph and Mary. Matthew:2:13-15[13]And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.[14]When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:[15]And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. are revealing verses. Here we see that Joseph too was obedient to God and aware that something from God was happening in his life. God sent an angel during a vision or dream Joseph had—and gave the instructions to go to Egypt. Mary was part of the complete plan and package. Their attitude of obedience to God was impressive. There was no jealousy when God gave the visions to Joseph. Mary accepted that and had no doubts. Matthew:2:19-23[19]But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,[20]Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.[21]And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.[22]But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:[23]And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. tells of God once again giving Joseph instructions as to when to leave Egypt and where to live in Judea. Nazareth was in God’s plan, not theirs.
Following Christ
John:2:1-11[1]And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:[2]And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.[3]And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.[4]Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.[5]His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.[6]And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.[7]Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.[8]And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.[9]When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,[10]And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.[11]This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. helps us understand the relationship between Jesus and Mary. It is obvious that Jesus loved His mother, and she respected Him. When there was a shortage of wine and Mary asked her son to do something about it, Jesus replied, “My hour has not yet come” (John:2:4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.). Mary knew Jesus was more than just a little unusual, but God did not show Mary every detail of the future. By now, Mary too had been strengthened in her continued trust in God. Now she realized that the scriptures were being fulfilled by Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and their life in Nazareth. As time passed and Jesus became more visible in Judea, Mary remained involved.
John:2:12-13[12]After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.[13]And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. show that Mary and Jesus’ brothers traveled from Cana to Capernaum with Jesus and the disciples. There was nothing unusual about this. Luke:8:1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, reveals that Jesus traveled from town to town. When we see Mary and Jesus’ brothers coming to see Him, we need to realize that at a time when communication was long and slow compared to today, it would have been difficult to find out where Jesus was unless He kept in constant contact with His family. (Joseph is not mentioned at all—it is possible that he had died by this time.) When Jesus was informed that his mother and brothers were outside, He continued to do the work of God. Jesus said, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put in into practice” (Luke:8:21And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it., New International Version). That was not a criticism of Mary or of His brothers. Mary was one who showed, through all of her actions, that she served God gladly and willingly.
John:19:25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. begins to record the final events of Jesus’ life. This was the moment that Mary had known was coming—when the metaphorical sword would pierce her, as Simeon had prophesied (Luke:2:35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.). The fact that Mary was there attests to her frequent presence at all Jesus did. She was devoted to God and growing in the comprehension of the greatness of the moment. Indeed, only a parent can feel the pain Mary felt for her son in those final hours. This too was an event for which she was not prepared. As all unfolded, it would become clear that this too was in the plan of God. Mary accepted that part of the plan just as she had accepted her role from that moment when God first reached out to her. The words of Jesus reflect care and tenderness.
All the mysterious sayings she had treasured in her memory over the years were becoming clearer. There can be little doubt that Jesus’ mother was involved in the burial of her Son, and that she was among the women who came to the tomb early that morning long ago (Luke:24:9-10[9]And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.[10]It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.). John was the disciple who was destined to live the longest, and the one to whom Jesus entrusted His mother (John:19:26-27[26]When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son![27]Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.). God looked after every facet and part of the life of His chosen and highly favored vessel, Mary. Her attitude was, “Thy will be done.” Although Mary then fades from the pages of the Bible, she will not fade from God’s favor—or the future He will give to her.
Further reading
To learn more about the life of Jesus, read our booklet, Jesus Christ: The Real Story.
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