UNDERSTANDING VIRGIN MARY
Before sharing facts about Mary, it occurs to me that we should identify which Mary we are referring to. This writing is about the saintly woman who was the mother of Jesus.
Let’s first start with some background points of information that may be obvious to you, but bear recounting to set the stage.
Point #1) God the Son (also called “The Word”), uniquely in harmony and unity with his Father, has always existed.
[John 1:1 & 14 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.]
The following is a passage where Jesus is speaking to people of Israel.
[John 8:56-58 – Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.]
Note that Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I am.” He chose for a reason not to say “I was,” or “I came into being.” But, Christ said “I am;” the Son of God has always existed. Thus the Son of God not only predates Abraham, but he predates Mary.
Point #2) A godly young lady, Mary, who was born under the Old Testament, having never had sexual relations with a man, was selected by God for a special job. By means of the Holy Spirit, the Son of God was placed in the womb of Mary, that the Son of God might take on humanity while never ceasing to be God.
Now, let’s get into facts about Mary.
Fact #1] MARY WAS A VIRTUOUS LADY
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to deliver a message to Mary in Luke 1:31 “…behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Mary is totally confused about how God will do this (Luke 1:34): “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”– when Mary says that “I know not a man,” she is speaking about never having known sexual intimacy with a man.
Fact #2] MARY WAS A WOMAN OF FAITH
Mary’s response to God’s miraculous plan of using her to accomplish a virgin birth is in Luke 1:38; “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” When Mary says “be it unto me according to thy word” she is acknowledging and accepting by faith what God has said unto her through the angel, even though mankind had never seen such a thing happen before [that a baby would be conceived without the seed of a man being involved]
Fact #3] MARY WAS HUMBLE AND SUBMISSIVE TO GOD’S WILL
When Mary says that she is “the handmaid of the Lord” in Luke 1:38 above. She is literally saying that she is God’s servant. Mary is willing to do whatever God says.
It is important to understand that Mary’s willingness to obey God meant that their would be great joy, as well as sorrow that she would have to endure. A devout man of Jerusalem revealed to Mary a God inspired message of hope concerning the Christ child; but he also said in Luke 2:35 “(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Christ’s coming would be hope to many. However, many who claimed to know God would be exposed not to know him at all; their true hearts would be revealed by their acceptance (or rejection) of Christ. Indeed, it appears that the majority of the priests, who claimed to honor scripture, who lived their lives studying and teaching scripture, rejected Christ who is the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture. Because of her love and loyalty to Christ, to witness this rejection of Christ must have caused sorrow and pain to Mary like a sword wound.
Fact #4] Even when Christ was a lad, Mary was unable to fully comprehend Christ (who is both God and man).
Mary and her husband Joseph, although godly people, were at a loss as to where to find Jesus after loosing touch with him on a trip to Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph were unaware of the fact that it is obvious where he would be.
Luke 2:41-50
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Mary knew what had been said about Jesus by angels and godly people moved by the Holy Ghost before Jesus was born and when he was an infant. Mary watched Jesus as he grew from an infant into his boyhood years and witnessed his divine character. So, you would think she would have more insight into the special relationship Jesus had with his Father in Heaven. Yet, for days, Mary and Joseph do not know where Jesus is when they depart Jerusalem in verse 44 above. When they find Jesus, Mary is frantic and upset and asks Jesus why he did this to them (e.g. why he caused them to have to worry and fret wondering where he was). Jesus asks a question that seems to indicate that it should be obvious where the Son of God would be (see verse 49). Shouldn’t Mary have known to search for the Son of God in his father’s house (i.e. the temple whence people came to worship God publicly).
I might also add that it seems that Mary’s human frailties as a mother caused her to search about for Jesus in a frantic state of mind; or maybe she simply did not understand the special divine protection that Jesus was under. God the Father literally assigned angels to minister to Christ and to protect him against being killed before the time assigned that he must be crucified for the sins of the world. The devil seems to have understood this in Matthew 4:5-6 “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
I am also reminded of Matthew 2:13 “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Despite Mary’s unnecessary worry, Jesus was safe.
Fact #5] Jesus as a man is the son (i.e. descendant) of King David (Matthew 21:9), and the son of Mary; As God, he is the Lord of David.
Matthew 22:41-46
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The
son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that
day forth ask him any more questions.
To those of you who love the Word of God (The Bible), and now have the benefit of the Old and New Testaments, you know that there is one God eternally existent in three persons (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit); The Son of God being
born of a virgin (i.e. Mary) was the means by which the Son of God took on
human nature. However, he did not cease to still be God the Son, which he has
always been, even before Mary ever existed.
And, as God, Jesus Christ is Lord of Mary.
Also, please let me make a side point: verse 44 above shows that those individuals who incorrectly claim that Jesus is his own father are completely contrary to the Jesus presented in God’s Holy Bible. If these individuals were correct in saying that Jesus is his own father, we would have Jesus split into two people, talking to himself in the verses above, having himself sit on the right hand of himself. In any case, I think you see how the verses above are not trying to say that there are two Jesus’, but here we see David speaking about God the Father and God the Son (i.e. “The Lord said unto my Lord”)
Let’s get back to discussing Mary.
Fact #6] MARY IS A SAINT.
So, we see from the previous section that Christ is Lord of Mary. Similarly, all of us saints who follow Jesus acknowledge Christ’s Lordship over our lives. Just so we are clear, I am using the word “saints” as the Holy Bible uses it so often to describe anyone who has turned away from sin and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior – For references of the use of the word “saints” in the Holy Bible, see Acts 9:13; Acts 9:32; Acts 26:10; Romans 1:7; Romans 12:13; Romans 15:25; I Corinthians 1:2; and the list of verses goes on and on.
Mary is a saint, and so are you if you have repented of your sins and have turned to Christ.
I want to take a moment to show you how GREAT you are. Not just because I say you are, but Christ himself plainly revealed how great you are when you follow and obey God.
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
If you believe the Holy Bible (and all Christians must accept the Bible’s authority as it is God’s Word), then you must believe that you are a saint, as Mary is also, if you are living in obedience to God; it’s just that simple.
Mary is a saint and so are you.
What is also apparent in the holy scriptures above is the fact that Jesus does not always say “yes” to our desires. Jesus was not being mean when he flatly denied Mary’s and his brethren’s request to stop ministering and come chat with them. We must remember that Christ is both God and man, and we simply don’t have the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of what is best to be done in every situation; if we did, we would be God.
And nobody is God but God.
As should Mary, so should we be very careful not to be offended when Christ says “No” to our requests, as we will never, never, ever reach the level of wisdom Christ has. His great love for humanity (including you and I, and Mary) constrains Christ to say “No” to us in considering what He knows is best for us in the long run.
Fact #7] Mary, in many ways, lived a normal life of a woman of her time.
For example, Mary followed the Old Testament Law.
Luke 2:21-24
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Another example of Mary’s life having much that was normal was the fact that she had kinfolk (i.e., relatives). In Luke 1:36, the angel, Gabriel, says to Mary: “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”
Although Elisabeth conceived through intimacy with her own husband, it was still a miracle from God as Elisabeth was an old woman and barren (see Luke 1:5-25 which also includes the announcement by the angel Gabriel regarding the miracle God would perform in giving Elisabeth the ability to conceive via natural means).
Isn’t it such an inspiring fact to know the great things that God is willing to do for common folk like Mary, Elisabeth, and you and I? Oh, the great love that God has for you, and for me.
Let me provide one more example from the Holy Bible of Mary’s life having much that was normal for many women of her time.
Joseph who was espoused to Mary for the intent of marriage, who definitely had not been sexually intimate with Mary, wanted to cancel any plans of marriage when he was made aware that Mary was pregnant. However, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and convinced Joseph that this conception was a miraculous event from God, and not of man.
Then the Holy Bible says in Matthew 1:24-25
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The “knew her not” of verse 25 is a reference to sexual intercourse. So, Joseph did not consummate his marriage to Mary with sexual intercourse “till” (or “until”) “she had brought forth her firstborn son:” whom we know to be Jesus. Now some people try to say that after Mary gave birth to Jesus, that her husband Joseph never had normal sexual relations with Mary his wife. I cannot find anything in the Holy Bible to support this conjecture. This line of reasoning reminds me of certain teachings that seem to promote the unscriptural doctrine that being married (and having sex with your spouse) makes one less than holy.
I Timothy 4:1-3
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
It is truly sad in today’s times that we have people claiming to be holy leaders promoting doctrines of devils. Instead of allowing individuals (lay persons, pastors & bishops) to marry (or not marry) based on what God designs for each individual, they advocate wholesale attack against people marrying according to God’s gift for each person’s life; as if godly marriage makes people unholy or unfit for ministry. These teachers are dangerous and do not reconcile their false doctrines with the fact of Mary’s marriage to Joseph; a marriage where Mary did eventually start having normal intimate relations with her husband according to Matthew 1:24-25 within the sanction of their God ordained marriage.
Did you know that the Apostle Peter was married?
Matthew 8:14 of the Holy Bible says:
“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.”
Was it okay for the Apostle Peter to have a wife?
Look at what the Holy Ghost had the Apostle Paul to say in I Corinthians 9:5
“Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?”
It is plainly clear from these verses that Apostles have a right to marry. Even the Apostle Paul who seems not to be married at the point God inspired him to write this verse, asserts that he has the right even as an apostle to have a wife. Anyone who opposes the right of an apostle to be married, opposes the Word of God and teaches a doctrine inspired by devils.
Not only were the apostles free to get married and still be apostles, but the Holy Bible says in I Timothy 3:1-2 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
In I Timothy, a bishop is like a senior elder (i.e., pastor) who has the primary responsibility of ministering (e.g., teaching, preaching, conducting services) in the local church; who officiates as the highest human authority in the local church. Whatever you call this person in your church, he is allowed to have a wife.
In verse 4 of the same chapter we have another qualification of a bishop “…having his children in subjection with all gravity;” This lets us know that it is not unholy for a bishop to have sex with his wife and thus produce children, as long as he raises them in a godly fashion.
Even under the old system of priests in the Old Testament, the priests were allowed to marry and have sex inside the bounds of marriage. There were various commands in the Old Testament that God had Moses give to the Old Testament priests showing the fact that God did allow the priests to marry and have children (e.g. Leviticus 22:13 “But if the priest’s daughter…”)
Preeminent among the priests of the nation in ancient Israel, The High Priest, had to abide by strict rules and ordinances above and beyond that which was required of priests of lower stations. However, even the High Priest was allowed to marry, if he married someone acceptable to God’s criteria.
Leviticus 21:10-13
10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the Lord.
13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
Suffice it to say that we should not think Elisabeth (the mother of John the Baptist), or Mary (the mother of Jesus), or bishops in the New Testament, or priests in the Old Testament displeased God if they chose to marry. If a Christian single person understands the biblical possibility of only marrying another single individual who can meet God’s criteria of an appropriate spouse, it is primarily a personal decision whether that single person pursues God’s favor in granting the gift of marriage or granting the gift of singleness.
Fact #8] MARY AND THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
After Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead, he showed himself multiple times to his followers as proof of his resurrection. Just before ascending to heaven from Mount Olivet, Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Acts 1:12-14
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
It is important to note that Mary, along with all the other believers in Christ present in the upper room, was praying and earnestly waiting for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. And Mary does receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Baptism, as well as everyone else in attendance on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And Christians are still receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost Baptism even now.
Someone might be doubting, and wondering why the Holy Ghost would come and make his abode in mere mortals such as you and I who were once so sinful and committed so many ugly horrible deeds before accepting Christ.
Yes, there was a big canyon separating us from God; that canyon being our sins. But Christ offered himself to suffer in our place, for our sins, that God might justifiably accept our repentance, and forgive us of our sins and bring us close to him; then, fill us with his Spirit (Holy Ghost Baptism).
Christ’s great work in bringing persons back into fellowship with God is why the Holy Bible proclaims Christ Jesus as the one mediator between God and mankind:
I Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
When I think of the love God has for us, I marvel. When I think of the tenderness and compassion Christ felt as he wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), I marvel. When I read in the Holy Bible how that Christ, even now, is so very sensitive and understanding of our need for help as frail humans, I am encouraged and satisfied that he is the one mediator and priest that I need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
There is no need to doubt Christ’s ability to understand our struggles; and there is no need to doubt his ability to succor (help) us in our time of need.
Hebrews 2:18
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Christ Jesus understands our trials; and he cares; and he hears our prayers. You can be broke and reach Jesus directly in prayer. You don’t have to be a “big shot.” You don’t have to know very important people. You can reach Jesus directly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
But wait a second, it gets even better:
Let me take this opportunity to show you one of the key reasons why all saints back in that upper room of Acts needed the Holy Ghost Baptism, and one of the reasons we still need to receive the Holy Ghost Baptism in today’s time:
There are times when I wish to communicate in prayer with the Lord Jesus, that I am at a loss at just how to express what I am feeling, or how I should pray. Well, the Holy Ghost works from inside my innermost being to help direct me to more precisely communicate as I need to, whether it be actual words or undistinguishable groanings; the Holy Ghost jumps right into the middle of my prayer time, touching the chords of my heartstrings and mind, helping me in prayer. And, those reformulated, new and improved prayers are delivered right to heaven where Christ Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, watchful, willing, and able to help.
Romans 8:26
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Notice that the Apostle Paul says “we” in the scripture above. Even great saints like the apostle Paul confessed his need for the Holy Ghost being intimately present in his life. Can you and I confess anything less than that we need the Holy Ghost intimately present in our lives to live successfully as followers of Christ.
Conclusion:
As I don’t find much of anything about Mary after the book of Acts, I feel compelled to end the description of Mary here, lest we get into recounting fairy tales and made up stories that have no basis in scripture.
One thing is sure, and that is the fact that Mary believed what God said.
If you sincerely consider Mary a great saint and a role model for Christians today, you must prove it by believing God’s Word (The Holy Bible) above any doctrine, teaching, or tradition from man, beast, or Angelic being. Mary was a follower of God and believed what God said even when man’s tradition opposed what God told her. This is why Mary is among the many people who have come to know the joy of following Jesus.
Let us be like Mary and obey God rather than man.
HOLINESS.COM