Mary

CORE PASSAGE: Luke 1:38

Mary was a young, devout Jewish girl, a descendant of David (Matthew 1:16) who was engaged to Joseph of Nazareth. Her life changed forever when she received a visit from angel Gabriel and learned she was to be the mother of God’s Son, the Messiah. Could you imagine getting that message? Mary did not freak out; instead, she submitted to the will of God and made herself available. The song of joy that she sang when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth, shows us how she knew and loved God and the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 1:46-55). She had read the prophecies of how a Saviour would be born – but she never had the slightest idea that it would be her baby!

Both Joseph and Mary fulfilled the requirements of the Law. When he was a few weeks old, they took Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God. There they met Simeon and Anna, who recognised Jesus as the Messiah. Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her very soul (Luke 2:35). No doubt these words came to mind when she watched Jesus being crucified. At the cross, Jesus committed her into the care of John, his disciple, who took her into his home (John 19:25-27).

When the angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby (God’s Son) by the power of the Holy Spirit, she submitted to God’s will. Her response was “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38). She made herself available to God.

After the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, when the shepherds had visited Jesus, Mary “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2:19).

Mary was devout, and she, together with her husband Joseph, followed the Jewish law. They took Jesus to the Temple as a baby to be dedicated to God. At the temple, Simeon said something to Mary that she must have thought about all through His life: “And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35).

Mary was the only person present at Jesus’ birth who witnessed His death. At His crucifixion, Jesus gave Mary into the care of John. John took Mary to his home. She was to be his “mother” and he would be her “son” (John 19:26-27).

LIFE LESSONS:

• Have a servant heart.
• Make yourself available to God.
• God has a plan for your life – trust Him.
• Have the strength of character to live the life God plans for you.
• Know and apply the Scriptures to your life.

The last reference we have of Mary in the Bible is in Acts 1:14where, after the crucifixion, the disciples met together along with Mary and Jesus’ brothers.

LIFE LESSONS:

• Submit to God’s will.
• Trust God for your future.
• Obey God’s instructions.
• Memorise scripture.