Mary Of Nazareth

by Peter R. Sweetmore, Cardiff, South Wales | Category: Three Marys | Feb 1995

Of all the women privileged to become a mother, none had higher honour bestowed on her than Mary.

In today's world there are many strident voices which attempt to emphasize female equality; and so it is refreshing and humbling to read of this young woman who was chosen by God to be the earthly mother of the One who was to become the Saviour of the world. The religious establishment could never have conceived of a Messiah being horn to such a humble woman in such meagre circumstances and apparent poverty; but the beauty of her character and the simplicity of her nature make her a woman of surpassing worth; and one perfectly suited to be a role model for any young woman whose driving ambition is to be of service to God.

Much of what we know about Mary comes to us in word pictures from the pen of Luke. This reliable historian sets out his methodology in the book which hears his name. "Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed goad also to me to write an orderly account for you" (Luke 1:3 NIV). It is fascinating to think of this doctor going from eyewitness to eyewitness in pursuit of reliable evidence, and coming eventually to this dear (and by now probably elderly) woman to discover some of her recollections of the circumstances relating to her firstborn. Indeed, no one could have described in such detail some of the intimate experiences of her encounter with Gabriel as Mary herself. But the fact is that "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19,51). No doubt Luke found Mary a mine of information; it was she who would tell him of the announcement by Gabriel; of the misunderstanding and responsibility which in her young womanhood she was called upon to bear. The Virgin Birth, which is an essential teaching of Scripture, and upon which so much of the authority of the New Testament depends, is confirmed by the word and testimony of Mary and Joseph. While Mary had no difficulty in telling her relative Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, all the things that had happened to her, there were doubts in the minds of others. Joseph, to whom she was betrothed, was so concerned about the developing situation that he had it in mind to divorce her quietly (Mat. 1:19).

That God should choose Mary for such high honour is as much to do with His sovereignty, as it is to do with her suitability. God does not make His choices at random, nor does He make snap decisions. It is quite evident from the way that He chose men like Abraham, David, Jeremiah, and the apostle Paul, that His choices were made before ever the men were born.

The visit of Gabriel could not have been anything other than a total shock. "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28 NIV). To be visited by a stranger and addressed in such terms when one's disposition is of simplicity and humility would not come easily to Mary; hence her bewilderment. And if that were a shock to her, what of the next? "You have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son" (Luke 1:30-31 NW). Naturally enough, Mary's only thought was of the chasteness of her own conduct as a true daughter of Zion, waiting for the completion of her marriage to Joseph. Nothing could change that - or could it? Clearly the intervention of the Holy Spirit was to be the key; and Mary was enabled to put on one side for a moment the possibility of public disgrace and the problem of explaining what had happened. Here the old version puts her reply to Gabriel into words which delightfully portray the submissiveness which was so characteristic of her, and which marks her out quite distinctly as absolutely the right person for this high and holy calling. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38 RV).

Could this submissiveness of Mary have been in Peter's mind when he addressed the sisters in his first epistle? "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit' which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Pet. 3:4). Not the grotesque caricature of a browbeaten and frightened woman which seems to be the fashion today, but that lovely fruit of the Spirit. A meek and quiet spirit which is not only a pleasure to men but of priceless worth to God Himself. Paul wrote of "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1) and it may be too that the Son saw those lovely characteristics in His mother.

Following the visit of Gabriel, Mary went with haste to visit Elizabeth, who herself was at least six months into her pregnancy with John the Baptist (see Luke 1:36). The task that she had been called upon to do was not to be an easy one; she had no guarantee against hostile comment; and it was natural that she should need and seek the help of love and fellow feeling, as well as comfort and encouragement. This she received in abundance. Had we not known that the Holy Spirit was to use Elisabeth in this process, we might have ascribed her joyful exclamation to feminine intuition; but here there is much to note in the filling of the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth's words could have come from no other source: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Child you will bear! But why am I so favoured that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:42,43 NIV). Further encouraging words were to follow; and the result on Mary's part was an outpouring of spontaneous song.

Many hymnbooks contain delightful songs by devoted and inspired women: Francis Ridley Havergal and Fanny J. Crosby come readily to mind. But the song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) is a masterpiece, not only on account of its spontaneity, but also for the wealth of Old Testament quotation and allusion which demonstrates so effectively this facet of Mary's character. How the Holy Spirit is able to take the scriptures learned as a child or young person, and cause them to be woven together into a poetic tapestry full of praise and adoration! We can only imagine that Mary had learned to treasure the Scriptures in her heart; and this outflow of praise reflects the memory of countless treasures. "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour?'. We could all take a word from Mary to enable us to be more praising in our lives. "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name". Mary was not only full; she was overflowing with wonder and praise; and this expression of a grateful heart finds its echo in the experience of many a dear mother even today. And not only a mother, but all who have tasted of God's infinite mercy, and received of His immeasurable grace.

The birth of Mary's firstborn is a story to delight the youngest of hearts. The freshness and simplicity of Luke's account has been often referred to. We may wonder at Mary's role in the bringing up of a young family with the Lord Jesus as her eldest son. Scripture is silent on all but one incident in the boyhood of Jesus; but we can visualize the care and the encouragement that Mary was to give to her son. Who would tell Luke of the development of that Son but Mary herself? "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men" (Luke 2:52 NIV). Mothers and their sons often have a special and intuitive relationship; and as we have observed already, it was Mary's practice to keep in her heart all the things that had been said; and, no doubt, all the happenings as well. As the years were to unroll, so Mary had a wonderful story to recount, memories to recall, and a tenderness of spirit that sprang from her intimate contact with her Son.

Later in her life, Mary was to experience deep, deep sorrow as she observed not only the rejection of her Son by the establishment, but the hideousness of His crucifixion at Calvary.

As early as the time of His circumcision, the aged Simeon, a righteous and devout man who recognized in the tiny baby the One who was to bring salvation to Israel, told Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:35 NIV). Mary carried these words with her throughout her life; and she remembered to tell Luke how those words had lain heavily on her.

At first there was encouragement for her; for at the start of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, Mary was to be seen expressing great confidence in Him on the occasion of the first miracle at Cana. On that occasion it was Mary who told Jesus that there was no wine; it was Mary who spoke some words to the servants which bore a meaning far beyond that simple ceremony: "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5 NIV). There were other occasions when Mary had contact with her Son, but it became abundantly clear that His true mission had moved far beyond the ordinary ties of family life into a world-saving role as the One sent by God to bring salvation to all who would believe. It was the darkest day in the world's history that brought Mary once again face to face with the One whom she had borne, whom she had shaped, whom she had taught, and whom she had loved with a love that only mothers know and understand. "But there were standing

by the Cross of Jesus His mother

Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene" (John 19:25). Some of His friends had disappeared, but Mary remained; her love undiminished, her mother-bond as strong as ever. Here the sword was to pierce through her own soul, as the wrath of Almighty God pierced His. Perhaps in His pain His head moved to one side as He saw His mother, and the disciple for whom He had that special love. "Woman, behold thy son!" He said; and, turning to John, "Behold thy mother!" (John 19:26-27). The tenderness of her love remained, but from that hour she knew she was now entrusted into the keeping of His devoted friend.

There it might have ended. But it was not to be; for in the purpose of God that mighty event took place when the Lord Jesus burst through death on the day of resurrection. We do not know whether Mary saw Him again on one of His post-resurrection appearances, but we do know that she became a wonderfully committed disciple herself as she joined with those we read of in Acts 1:14 who continued steadfastly in prayer right up to the day of Pentecost, and no doubt well beyond.

Mary, blessed among women, a vessel prepared, meet for the Master's use; she remains for ever an example to those who will follow on.

Now unto Him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen. (Jude 24,25).

Peter R. Sweetmore, Cardiff, South Wales | Feb 1995
Three Marys