The Greatest Mother of All
Luke 1:46-49
The producers of the TV program, “The Simpsons” have gone too far in my estimation. In a recent broadcast, they portrayed Mary, the mother of Jesus as someone who intervenes in a fight by beating up all the combatants. She settles the melee by using brute force. Not surprising, since the producers seem to relish the opportunity to show Christianity in a bad light.
Am I a prude? Shouldn’t I lighten up a bit? Now, I realize that this is a cartoon show, designed for humor, but is there nothing sacred these days? How far do we need to go to entertain and/or make money?
The description given concerning Mary in the Scriptures is one of profound holiness and humility. She was inducted into God’s “Hall of Fame” centuries ago. And when one thinks about Mother’s Day, perhaps more attention should be directed toward her. After all, Mary could be said to be the greatest mother of all time.
Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary to be the mother of our Lord? She was without a doubt a very unique person---the only one among thousands of Jewish women to be selected as God’s instrument for bringing His Son into the world. She was truly one of a kind!
Why was Mary so blessed of God? Why was she so highly favored? Was it because she was sinless? No, only one Person can claim this. I believe God chose her because she possessed certain godly qualities.
1. MARY WAS PURE
The village of Nazareth, where Mary lived and grew up lay in the path of caravans going from Capernaum to the seaports. As in every generation, there were women in that town who became involved with the traveling men. But not Mary!
Of course, there couldn’t have been any unfaithfulness in Mary, otherwise God wouldn’t have chosen her. Centuries before the angel appeared to Mary, God’s prophet Isaiah wrote these words: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
God, through His Word, required that the one who was to be the mother of Jesus, be a virgin, pure and holy. The words that came to her from Gabriel that day echoed God’s full approval: “And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your 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’” (Luke 1:30-32).
When Mary heard this, she was overwhelmed. “How will this be?” she asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of god” (Luke 1:35).
Some of the great masterpieces of art show the angel announcing this message to Mary and presenting her with a branch of lily. The lily is a symbol of Mary’s purity.
2. MARY WAS SUBMISSIVE
When the angel finished his startling announcement that Mary was to be the mother of the Messiah, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant; be it unto me according to Your word” (Luke 1:38).
In other words, she said, “Lord, whatever you want, I want.” Now she could have hesitated or even rebelled. She could nave said, “Not me, Lord. There must have been some mistake. I’m unworthy. Besides, I’m poor. He should have a royal home with lots of servants.”
But she didn’t. She was willing to endure a great deal. For example:
• The seeming shame of being pregnant our of wedlock;
• The chance of losing Joseph. Would he believe her?
• Neighbors and family would raise questioning eyebrows and whisper to one another.
• Others would begin to spread nasty rumors.
Why was Mary willing to suffer all the reproach that would result from her condition? Because she totally believed God and wanted His will in her life more than anything else.
You see, the Lord doesn’t want us to give Him first place in our lives; He wants the second and third as well. In other words, He wants all of our lives!
Mary had discovered the secret of peace and joy in her life. She freely surrendered her wants to those of God’s. The greatest example of her submissive attitude is seen in the serene surrender of her Son to God’s purpose.
In this respect, she is not unlike another godly mother that we read about in the Old Testament---Hannah. Samuel was given to her in answer to prayer, and she made a vow concerning him. When he was weaned, she gave him back to God unreservedly for Tabernacle service.
That’s the way Mary was. She knew His (Jesus’) destiny was the Cross. She knew that her heart would be broken. Simeon had prophesied so in Luke 2:35.
But Mary didn’t try to hold on to Him or keep Him with her. She must have been tempted (a mother’s natural instinct is to protect their own), but she let Him go---even though by this time she was in all likelihood a widow—to on to His public ministry and all it involved: hatred, ridicule, loneliness, betrayal, suffering, and death.
A thirty-six-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days enjoying herself on a beach in Mexico. A second physician offered her the hope of living two to four years with the grueling side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She penned these words to her three small children:
“I’ve chosen to try to survive for you. This ha some horrible costs, including pain, loss of my good humor, and moods I won’t be able to control. But I must try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one more minute longer. And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else will do. For this I intend to struggle, tooth and nail, so help me God.” (Cited in Focus on the Family, May 1985).
3. MARY KNEW THE SCRIPTURES
She love the Word of God. Although she was very young, possibly still in her teens, she was a devout person. The text for this sermon was her song, or what we often call, “The Magnificat.” It refers to portions of the Old Testament found in First Samuel, Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, and Exodus.
I don’t know of a finer quality to possess. Just think of the influence she would have on her children.
How many do you suppose will be in heaven because a mother taught and lived the Word of God? Our prayer today ought to be, “God, give us moms and dads who know and love Your Word.”
4. MARY COULD KEEP A SECRET
She had the ability to keep things to herself, a talent rarely found today. Luke tells us that she pondered, or literally, considered all the things that were happening to her. She kept them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
She didn’t boast to the neighbors or share the news throughout the village. She though deeply about all the events in her life and looked for God’s hand in them.
5. MARY SOUGHT THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
She was there in Jerusalem with the 120, waiting for the promise of the Savior. She needed the Holy Spirit’s power in her life as surely as did the disciples.
She wanted all that God could give her. She wanted what only the indwelling Spirit can give:
• Victory over sin
• Guidance for each day
• Boldness and courage to witness
CONCLUSION
May God grant us mothers today like Mary!
And yet, let us remember that Mary, too, was a person with needs. She was a woman worthy of recognition, yet she was also a woman in need of a Savior.
Mary will be in heaven not because Jesus was her child but because He was her Redeemer.
We know this godly woman because of her purity, submissive spirit, and concern for spiritual things.
May each mother (and father) seek these same qualities and thereby bring glory to his Son!
Let me close with several challenges:
(1) Mary made a complete surrender to the will of God. Will you make a personal surrender to God today?
(2) Mary was willing to give up her beloved Son that God’s will might be done for mankind. Will you give up your dearest treasure today and let Him have His was in your life?
(3) Mary didn’t grow bitter under the cruel anguish of the Cross. She stayed submissive to the will of God. Will you be true to God even when life’s burdens press in until they almost overwhelm you?
(4) Mary realized her need of the Holy Spirit and sought for His fullness. Will you let Him fill your life
