Mother Mary

Happy Mother’s Day!

One thing is for sure, we all have mothers! It is good that we take time to recognize them and make sure that they know that we love and respect them. Erma Bombeck wrote humorously for 30 years about regular home lives. Here is one she wrote called, “When God Created Mothers”.

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower." The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." Can it think?" Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." What's it for?" It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." You are a genius, " said the angel. Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.”

Isn’t that the truth?

Mary, An Example to Us All

Cindy and I have been watching the video series The Chosen, which is about Jesus, His ministry, and the disciples. We watched Jesus as He turned water into wine at the prompting from His mother. It was kind of strange. In the video, it seemed to imply that Mary was moving Jesus into public ministry as though it were overdue. It seemed to be a mom saying, “Son, it’s time to fulfill your purpose”.

One Bible scholar put it this way, “And now at the wedding, as His mother, she was suggesting that He assert His authority. Surely His hour had come. But Jesus, in order to draw more sharply the Lord-servant, Savior-saved relationship between Himself and His mother, said to her: “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (2:4). He used “woman” instead of “mother” not out of disrespect but as a polite form of address to show that He was no longer under His mother. The separation was now definite. Mother must no longer dominate. He was the Messiah. John caught this import by beginning with Jesus’ mother but ending the episode by narrating that this was the first of the signs Jesus did and that His disciples put their faith in Him.”[1]

I think that is a very interesting point of view about what was going on between mother and Son. Great moms are like that, they seem to know when to step in and when to step back. They have a way of propelling their children forward.

I believe that Mary is an excellent example of Christ-like character not only for mom’s but for all of us.

A Woman of Character

Humble

Mary was quiet before the Lord and meditated on all He had done in her life. How often are we truly quiet before the Lord, just pondering on what He has done and is doing in our lives? Do we take the time to meditate on His Word?

Luke 2:19 NIV

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:51 NIV

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Mary turned to Jesus for help when she had a problem to be solved. When a problem arises where do we turn to first for guidance? Do we seek Christ or turn to others? Do we spend time worrying? Do we point others toward Christ?

John 2:3–5 NIV

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Obedient

We have the opportunity to sees Mary’s heart because she throws it out there in the famous Magnificat. It is filled with true humility before God, which is the foundation of her obedience.[2]

Luke 1:47–55 NIV

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. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

How do you respond to the news that you will give birth to God’s child? What? This situation could upset your stability…but not Mary’s. She was a rock. She trusted God absolutely and even trusted that God would resolve the issues that arose between her and Joseph. Many people would have tried to manage or control the situation. Mary stayed obedient to God. Marci Ferrell in her blog, Thankful Homemaker, makes a point I think is true:

Mary didn't take matters into her own hands but let the Lord change Joseph's heart. How often do feel the need to change our husbands instead of letting the Lord do His work in them? We women are born controllers, but we need to learn to trust God and wait on Him.

You’ll remember that Joseph would have his own encounter. God has a way of doing that…you simply have to trust God in your situations.

Mary Was a Faithful Servant

From the beginning of the Gospel story to the resurrection of Jesus- Mary was there. I think it would not be wrong to say that following Jesus to the foot of the Cross would have been the most difficult. When almost everyone had deserted Jesus, she was there.

John 19:25 NIV

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

A pastor friend of mine has said, “The nearer you get to the Cross, the fewer your friends will be.” That is a pretty sobering thought. Jesus taught that there were such things as true and false disciples:

Matthew 7:21–23 NIV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Today there are not many professing believers who are ready to follow Jesus to the cross. Are you a true follower of Christ? Are you faithful to Jesus no matter the circumstances or the difficulty of what you may be called to endure? There are many who claim to be followers of Jesus but are deceived.[3]

Worshipful

Another characteristic of good moms that we see in Mary is that she is a worshipper. Mary’s response to Elizabeth was steeped in praise of God. This is seen not only in the express statements, “My soul magnifies the Lord” and “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” but also in the recitation of all the good things God has done (Lk. 1:46–56).[4]

Tozer said,

“What is worship? Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder and overpowering love in the presence of that most ancient Mystery, that Majesty which philosophers call the First Cause, but which we call Our Father Which Are in Heaven.”[5] - Tozer

Mary’s response to the news of her pregnancy was worship. What things are on your tongue?

Knowledgeable

The final thing that I would like to point out this morning is that Mary knew the Word of God. That she was at home with the OT is seen in her allusions and phraseology in the Magnificat and in her faithful adherence to the OT regulations about circumcision (Lk. 2:21), purification and presentation in the temple (vv 22–28), and the Passover (v 41).[6]

The French have a proverb, which states, “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.” It is hard to enjoy a meal when you are not yet hungry. But, when you are hungry, anything tastes good.

If we approach the Word with a hunger to be satisfied, we will be satisfied every time. Effective worship begins with a hunger for God.

In the time Mary lived she was probably illiterate, but she had heard the Word of God and kept it hidden in her heart. How well do we know God's Word? Are we able to speak the Words of His truth to others? Is our time in the Word an important part of our day?[7]

Moms, You Are Not Alone

Mary gives us a powerful example of what a godly mother looks like – humble, obedient, faithful, worshipful, and knowledgeable. But, like Erma Bombeck pointed out, it is certainly a difficult task. That is why I believe that it is important that moms be Spirit-filled women.

Spirit Filled

As believers, we have the Holy Spirit working in us, and there is nothing we can accomplish for God outside the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you tap into the power of the Spirit, or do you rely on your strength to get through difficult situations and trials? May we submit our lives to Him working in and through us.[8]

Luke 1:35 NIV

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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.

Like Mary, We Need to Embrace God’s Plan for Our Lives

Mary said “yes” to God's plan for her life. She had an obedient, submissive, and a humble heart. Are we willing to say, “yes Lord,” to whatever task He calls us? May we be faithful, obedient servants.[9]

Luke 1:38 NIV

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary was a chosen vessel of the Lord. If you are a child of God, you have been chosen to be an instrument that God is using to fulfill His purposes. Mary was chosen to give spiritual life to the Son of God, and we are chosen to give spiritual life and encouragement to others. Are you living an eternally focused life? Do you take the time to share the truth of the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ with others?

Luke 1:30–31 NIV

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Mom’s, you can do this! Like Mary, say “yes” to God’s plan for your life. You are special and have been created with purpose!

[1]Bromiley, G. W. (1979–1988). Mary. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 3, p. 270). Wm. B. Eerdmans. [2]Bromiley, G. W. (1979–1988). Mary. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 3, p. 269). Wm. B. Eerdmans. [3] “Ten Lessons God’s Word has taught me through the life of Mary:”. www.thankfulhomemaker.com/10-lessons-from-the-life-of-mary/. Accessed May 3, 2021. [4] Bromiley, G. W. (1979–1988). Mary. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 3, p. 269). Wm. B. Eerdmans. [5] A.W. Tozer, quoted in D.J. Fant, A.W. Tozer, Christian Publications, 1964, p. 90. [6] Bromiley, G. W. (1979–1988). Mary. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 3, p. 269). Wm. B. Eerdmans. [7] “Ten Lessons God’s Word has taught me through the life of Mary:”. www.thankfulhomemaker.com/10-lessons-from-the-life-of-mary/. Accessed May 3, 2021. [8] “Ten Lessons God’s Word has taught me through the life of Mary:”. www.thankfulhomemaker.com/10-lessons-from-the-life-of-mary/. Accessed May 3, 2021. [9]“Ten Lessons God’s Word has taught me through the life of Mary:”. www.thankfulhomemaker.com/10-lessons-from-the-life-of-mary/. Accessed May 3, 2021.