To continue… Why her? Why Mary?
A small-town girl. Engaged to be married. A teenager.
What I’m confident of is that God knew exactly what He was doing when He plucked this young woman out of obscurity and into cosmic significance. He wasn’t checking Mary’s resume, or pedigree, or balance sheet.
And while we celebrate the womb of Mary, I’m prone to believe that it was her character, as much as her capacity to give birth and mother this child, that set her apart.
Mary carried Jesus for more than her nine-month pregnancy. She carried Him for His entire life on earth. As only a great mother can.
Art by Andras Simon
Why Mary?
Grit and grace and determination.
Sacrifice and service and grief.
In fact, the prophetic words of Isaiah were Mary’s calling too…
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Mary waited… not just in pregnancy, but in anticipation of Christ being revealed as the Messiah.
Before water turned to wine, there were anxious moments with a lost 12-year-old.
Before miracles and messages, the loss of a spouse.
Before public ministry, private and persistent whispers about her pregnancy.
Before Jesus was Jesus, Mary was the mother of the King.
Before anyone else knew, Mary knew.
And while there were questions, And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” There was faith and obedience… And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
It was Simeon, in the temple who footnoted his baby blessing with harsh and disturbing words to Mary… This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
And indeed, as Jesus gazed on Mary from the cross, the sword that marked His side, pierced her soul.
Why Mary?
The capacity to give birth, the character to be the mother of our Savior.
Never again a virgin birth. Never again a woman like Mary.
May we, like Mary, say…
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Indeed, Mary.
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