Mary, Mother Of Jesus

Imagine you had the opportunity to choose a woman who would be the mother of the Son of God. You not only knew her by her actions, but also by the intents of her heart. What kind of woman would you choose? God chose Mary of Nazareth to be the mother of His Son, the Savior of the world. What does God’s Word tell us about Mary?

1) God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary of His plan for her to conceive the Christ child.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

To a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man

Whose name was Joseph,

Of the house of David;

And the virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 1:26-27

The term espoused is not a familiar one today. The concept is foreign to us. When a woman was espoused to a man, it was similar to what we call engaged. However, it was more binding than an engagement. To be espoused was as binding as a marriage. To leave the arrangement, a couple would have to get a divorce. But the couple had not yet come together physically. They did not yet live together and they had not come together sexually. Mary was espoused to Joseph; they were already considered to be husband and wife, but they had not yet joined themselves in marriage. You might notice that espoused and wife, or espoused and husband, are used together or interchangeably. That’s confusing.

Joseph was a descendant of David, King of Israel. This fact might make you think Joseph was a wealthy man. On the contrary, Joseph was a poor carpenter.

And the angel said to her,

Fear not, Mary:

For you have found favor with God.

You shall conceive in your womb,

And bring forth a son,

And you shall call his name Jesus.

He shall be great,

And He shall be called the Son of the Highest:

And the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:

And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:30-33

2) Mary Asked a Question.

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Luke 1:34

Gabriel didn’t take offense. It was an innocent question from an innocent young girl. She didn’t understand how she could have a child; she was a virgin. Gabriel patiently explained how Mary would conceive.

The Holy Ghost shall come upon you,

And the power of the Highest

Shall overshadow you:

Therefore, that holy thing

Which shall be born of you

Shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:35

3) Mary was willing to be a part of God’s plan. She was willing to be the servant of God.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

Be it unto me according to your word.

Luke 1:38

Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin Elisabeth was six months pregnant. What surprising news! Elisabeth was barren; she couldn’t have children. She was also quite elderly.

Behold, your cousin Elisabeth

Has also conceived a son in her old age:

This is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:36-37

4) Mary left Nazareth to visit Elisabeth.

And Mary arose

And went into the hill country with haste,

Into a city of Judah;

She entered into the house of Zacharias,

and greeted Elisabeth. Luke 1:39-40

5) Something unexpected happened when Mary greeted Elisabeth.

When Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary,

The babe leaped in her womb;

And Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And she spoke out with a loud voice,

Blessed are you among women,

And blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And whence is this to me,

That the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For as soon as the voice of your greeting

Sounded in my ears,

The babe leaped for joy in my womb.

And blessed is she that believed:

For there shall be a performance of those things

Which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 1:41-45

Elisabeth’s words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. She spoke of the baby she herself carried and the holy child Mary carried.

6) Mary Praised the Lord.

My soul magnifies the Lord,

My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty has done to me great things;

Holy is His name.

His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their seats,

And exalted them of low degree.