Mary

FIRST VIRGIN TO BEAR A SON
MATTHEW, LUKE, & JOHN

IMAGINE: Being about fifteen years old, poor, and female. In the culture of the  day, that would not have been much to work with.  

It is under these circumstances an   angel appears from nowhere with the most daunting news ever to be announced.

The angel Gabriel was sent by God
to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin engaged to a man named
Joseph, of the house of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:26, 27

Who is this Mary? For starters, she is introduced onto the world stage by the angel, Gabriel. In fact, her existence had been prophesied seven hundred years earlier in Isaiah 7:14 where he wrote – “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”
After a long span of time, God was ready to reveal His intentions for His people and He chose a young, unknown girl to do this through. There had not been a prophet in Israel for four hundred years, yet this young girl appears to be part of a believing remnant expecting the coming of the Messiah, believing God was going to send a deliverer for His people, Israel.
Mary grew up in Nazareth of Galilee, in a poor region of Israel. Even though her life appears humble and unassuming she had a very impressive family tree. Her and her intended husband Joseph both had an enviable bloodline, including royalty. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are listed in each of their genealogies, as are Rahab and Ruth who are both Gentiles. Both are also listed as being related to Zerubbabel. (Matt. 1:12; Lk. 3:26).
Mary’s immediate family is not mentioned other than, as some scholars believe, she had a sister named Salome. Some interpreters believe Salome was Mary’s cousin.  It is also noted she was related to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. (Lk. 1:36). The exact relationship is not given but Mary was quite young and Elizabeth, as recorded, was “in her old age.”
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David. Mary was related to David through his son Nathan. Joseph was his relative through his son Solomon. Nathan and Solomon were both sons of David by Bathsheba.
In the day and age in which Mary lived, a young, engaged bride-to-be would have been approximately fourteen or fifteen years old. As with most young, engaged women, Mary undoubtedly was looking forward to her upcoming marriage to Joseph.

Then the angel told her: Do not
be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God.
Now listen: You will conceive
and give birth to a son and
you will call His name JESUS.
Luke 1:30; 31

Just as she is, more than likely, making the arrangements for her big day, she is interrupted by, of all things, an angel. Not just any angel but, Gabriel. The same angel that appeared to the prophet Daniel. The same angel that appeared to Zechariah who was the husband of Mary’s relative, Elizabeth. Mary was not yet aware of Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah of the up coming miraculous birth of John the Baptist. According to what is recorded, Gabriel appeared to three people and two of them belonged in the same family.
The angel tells her to not be afraid, which was probably a good way to start the conversation, as this would not be anticipated for a normal everyday encounter. Nonetheless, the angel was before her giving instructions and making an announcement.
 Mary’s engagement to Joseph was more than likely an arranged marriage by the two sets of parents. For a Jewish marriage to take place, both families had to agree to the union. A public announcement would then be made, and the couple would be considered legally bound to one another.
During this time the couple would have lived separately and had no physical relations whatsoever. Even so, the couple would be considered in a binding covenant and the relationship could only be dissolved through death or divorce.
The reasoning behind this arrangement was to prove the bride’s faithfulness and purity to the man she was to marry. At the end of the year wait, the groom would go to the bride’s house and in grand fashion lead her to their home he had been preparing for her.
At that time, they would then live together consummating the marriage physically. Joseph and Mary were in the one year waiting period when Mary was found with child.

Mary asked the angel, “How can
this be, since I have not
been intimate with a man?”
The angel replied to her:
“The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow
you. Therefore, the Holy
One to be born will be
called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:34, 35

It would be hard to imagine what Mary’s thought process was. Here stands an angel before her telling of an upcoming pregnancy by the Holy Spirit and the child will be God’s Son, the long, awaited Messiah.
Obviously, Mary had one question in mind concerning this event, and she wanted to make clear she had not put herself in a position to become pregnant. The angel puts her fears to rest by explaining to her that she is to become pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit. It is explained to her by the angel that she has been sovereignly chosen by God. She had been chosen by God the Father to bring God the Son into the world.
By all accounts of Mary’s life, she was raised in a Jewish home, as she does not question the expectation of the Messiah’s arrival. Her only question concerns how this is to come about as she is still a virgin. Mary appears to be humble and have a childlike acceptance of what the angel has explained is to occur. There is no mention of Mary feeling shame or embarrassment. Mary knew she had done nothing wrong against her intended husband or against God.
All Jews knew one day their long, awaited Messiah would come. Each woman, in her pregnancy, may have wished and prayed she was carrying the anointed One. For Mary to have been told she was the one chosen by God to carry the Son of the Most High would have put all other feelings aside.

And consider your relative Elizabeth…
“I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary.
“May it be done to me according to
your word.” Then the angel left her.
In those days Mary set out and
hurried to a town in the hill
country of Judah where she
entered Zechariah’s house and greeted
Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s
greeting, the baby leaped
inside her, and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:36, 38-41

After the angel had declared the news to Mary that she would be mother to the Messiah, it appears Mary left immediately for her relative’s house in the hill country. Elizabeth is apparently somewhat older than Mary as it is recorded she herself was expecting a child in her old age. Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah are to become parents of John the Baptist.
It is not known if Mary told Joseph of her encounter with the angel before she hurriedly left for her relative’s house. The journey to the hill country was approximately one hundred miles which would have been a long and dangerous trip for a young, single woman alone to make. It is not recorded if Joseph was with her or not.
It may be Joseph was not told because Mary, herself, did not know she was pregnant until she reached Elizabeth’s home. As Mary entered the home Elizabeth’s baby leaped inside her at the sound of Mary’s voice. Elizabeth was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and explains to Mary what all the angel had told her about her baby.
The reason why Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth before returning home to Nazareth is unknown. Possibly Elizabeth needed help with the later stages of her pregnancy. Possibly Mary was not up to traveling back that far in the early stages of her pregnancy. It is noted that Elizabeth kept herself in seclusion for five months and Mary may have been doing the same thing. Nonetheless, these two Godly women were assuredly a blessing to each other.
The possibility also arises that Mary and Elizabeth may have been leaning on Zechariah to tell them all he knew from the Old Testament scrolls of the coming Messiah, and the one coming before Him calling out in the wilderness. At this time Zechariah was unable to speak because he had questioned Gabriel’s message to him concerning Elizabeth becoming pregnant. Nonetheless, he could have written such information on a tablet as he did John’s name or he, being a priest, may have had scrolls to teach from.
After a three month visit with her relative Elizabeth, Mary returns home to Nazareth. Again, it is not mentioned if Joseph was with her or if she now is to tell him she is with child.

The birth of Jesus Christ came about
this way: After His mother Mary had
been engaged to Joseph, it was
discovered before they came
together that she was pregnant
by the Holy Spirit. So her husband
Joseph, being a righteous man,
and not wanting to disgrace
her publicly, decided to
divorce her secretly.
Matthew 1:18, 19

Even though this more than likely was an arranged marriage by Jewish custom, Joseph, it appears, must have truly loved his young bride. Joseph’s heart must have been broken upon hearing the news of Mary’s condition as he knew they had not come together in a way that would have produced a child.
The stigma of unwed motherhood would not only have been an unimaginable disgrace but also extremely dangerous. Joseph knew the child was not his, thus leading to the belief adultery had occurred, which was punishable by stoning. (Deut. 22:23, 24). Mary becoming pregnant would draw suspicion she had been unfaithful, and Joseph had the right to divorce her and the Jewish authorities could have her stoned to death legally.
Joseph demonstrated his love for her in that he chose not to cause a public scandal. He chose to divorce her quietly, believing then she could marry whom she had been with to cause this child in her womb. He saw this as his only option until an angel suddenly appeared to him in a dream.

But after he had considered these
things, an angel of the Lord suddenly
appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid
to take Mary as your wife, because
what has been conceived in her is by
the Holy Spirit. When Joseph got up
from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s
angel had commanded him. He
married her but did not know her
intimately until she gave birth to
a son. And he named Him Jesus.
Matthew 1:20, 24, 25

When Joseph learns of Mary’s condition, after waking from a dream, that the pregnancy is of the Holy Spirit, he immediately takes her to the home he had been preparing for them. In this way, he can care and provide for her. Nothing is mentioned about his family or their thought concerning these circumstances.
Taking Mary into his home before the year was up and no ceremonial procession in doing so, Joseph risked not only Mary’s reputation, but his own standing in the community. This apparently did not concern him as he had believed the angel and understood God’s will for his life.
They were now considered man and wife even though they were not intimate until she gave birth to her son, and they named Him Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph, not knowing what was ahead, very willingly and humbly submitted to the will of God. It appears Joseph was very protective of Mary and obedient to the One, True God of Israel, no matter the consequences.

In those days a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus that the
whole empire should be registered.
And Joseph also went up from
the town of Nazareth in Galilee,
to Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and family
line of David, to be registered
along with Mary, who was engaged
to him and was pregnant.
Luke 2:1, 4, 5

Mary and Joseph would have been very familiar with where the Messiah would be born according to Old Testament scrolls. They may have been somewhat confused and had several discussions concerning the birth of Mary’s baby. They were residing in Nazareth but, according to the scrolls, He was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Were they supposed to travel, visit, or move to Bethlehem? Her due date was closing in on them and they were still in Nazareth, probably waiting on the Lord’s instruction.
Then, in God’s perfect timing, a decree went out that the whole empire was to be registered, each in his own town. Joseph and Mary being in the line of David would need to go to Bethlehem. Now Mary knew her son would be born in Bethlehem as the scrolls had revealed. Joseph and Mary both being descendants of King David would now need to prepare for their journey to Judea to be registered.
From Nazareth to Bethlehem was seventy miles of mountainous terrain. Being nine months pregnant, traveling on a donkey up and over the mountains would have been an arduous journey for the young mother-to-be.

While they were there, the time
came for her to give birth. Then she
gave birth to her first-born Son, and
she wrapped Him snugly in cloth
and laid Him in a feeding trough –
because there was no room
for them at the inn.
Luke 2:6, 7

Jesus’ life begins in the Roman Province of Judea in the town of Bethlehem. It was an insignificant outpost of the mighty Roman Empire but did have a military presence and Roman rule.
The town was crowded at this time since all were required to be registered whose family line was from there. This caused limited places to stay by the time Joseph and Mary arrived. Her pregnancy, more than likely, made their travel time a little slower than what it normally would have taken.
By the time of their arrival into Bethlehem, Mary seems to have started having contractions. It is now time for her baby to be born and there is no lodging available. The only place given them was in a stable where animals were kept. The stable mentioned would have been more of a cave like structure.
This was a far cry from a sanitized hospital room. No nurse, not even a midwife, or female family member, as far as anyone knows, to assist in the birth. Nothing is mentioned of any family members with Joseph or Mary arriving in Bethlehem, even though Caesar Augustus made clear in his decree that all people had to travel to their town of origin to be registered. There may or may not have been other family members there with them.
Nonetheless, it would be hard to imagine being approximately fifteen years old, in a strange city with throngs of people, now in labor with nowhere to stay. She had just traveled for days from Galilee up to Bethlehem, over mountainous terrain. Did she understand the significance of her child being born in the same city where Boaz, Naomi, and later David were born? Was she scared? Was she excited now that her baby, the one who had been thrashing about inside her, was now about to be born? Or was she just too tired and amazed by all events to know what to think?
Mary had been told her baby would be the Son of the Most High God. Was He really to start His life in a cave and placed in a feeding trough carved into the rock walls? The surroundings had to be confusing to this new mother as they were dark, dank, dirty, and smelled of animals. And then with what would, more than likely, be sheer exhaustion for this young girl and her husband, shepherds arrive wanting to see the baby.
The shepherds explained to the couple that as they were in the nearby field watching over the lambs for temple sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, an angel appeared. They told the parents the angel described to them where they were to go and find the true Lamb who would take away the sins of the world. Then they said a whole multitude of heavenly angels appeared praising God. When the angels returned to heaven the shepherds left to find Joseph, Mary, and this baby who would be laying in a manger wrapped in cloth strips.
Mary, it appears, listened intently trying to comprehend, as much as she could, what the shepherds were saying. As these humble men left glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, Mary preserved their words in her heart.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea in the days of King Herod,
wise men from the east arrived
unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born
King of the Jews? For we saw His
star in the east and have
come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2: 1, 2

Herod the Great was confirmed by the Roman senate to be king of the Jews. He was half Jewish and probably aware that one greater than King David would be born one day, thus becoming the real “King of the Jews.”
King Herod was paranoid and petrified this child, under two years old, would remove him from the throne. His insanity did not take into consideration the child would have had to grow into manhood and Herod, himself, was not going to live forever. Maybe he thought he would.
This young family had now set up house in Bethlehem, some seven miles from Jerusalem. The wise men from the east entered their home and lavished gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh upon the child.

After they were gone, an angel
of the Lord suddenly appeared to
Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up!
Take the child and his mother, flee to
Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.
For Herod is about to search for
the child to destroy Him.”
Matthew 2:13

Joseph, Mary and Jesus had barely gotten settled in their house as a family when Joseph is given a dream to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape death at the hands of King Herod. As the legal father and protector of Jesus, Joseph was responsible for the safety of this special child.
Now, as a young wife and mother of a small child, Mary had to give up their house and all belongings and flee to a strange land. While in Egypt, Herod in a fit of rage had all boys two years old and under massacred in and around Bethlehem.
Mary must have been horrified by this atrocity and very thankful that they had left to go down into a foreign land and live in and among foreign people. The culture, customs and language were more than likely difficult for her, but she had her child and that was what mattered.

After Herod died, an angel of the
Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Get up! Take
the child and His mother and go to the
land of Israel, because those who
sought the child’s life are dead.”
And being warned in a dream, he
withdrew to the region of Galilee.
Then he went and settled in
a town called Nazareth…
Matthew 2;19, 20, 22, 23

When Herod died Joseph took Mary and Jesus and returned to Israel from Egypt. They then returned to Galilee to their hometown of Nazareth. They were finally home. Nazareth is where Jesus grew up. It was a small town, located about half way between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. The Roman garrison in charge of Galilee was housed there. They had constant contact with people from all over the world as news from all different places reached them quickly.
This may have been one of the few times in Mary’s life where things seemed somewhat normal. Here Joseph and Mary had four sons and the number of daughters is unknown. Jesus had a normal Jewish upbringing with His mother, step-father, half-brothers and half-sisters. (Matt. 13:53). These were probably some of Mary’s happier days, just being a wife and mother, caring for her family.
As time went on her firstborn Son matured into manhood and began the ministry the angel, some thirty years earlier, had told her was to come. Mary was aware when the time came, but probably not aware of the extent of all it entailed.
Mary could not have foreseen or known the unexpected reaction by His own people and the Jewish leaders toward her Son. She had seen the healings, the miracles, the feedings, the blessings, the teachings, the love He so readily gave to all, and yet how little was that love appreciated, or returned to Him.
She knew who this Son was. Why did others not see Him for who He was? The rejection of her Son must have been crushing to her heart. Even her other children did not see Him for who He was yet. It appears Joseph had died by this time. How alone she must have felt. She knew her Son to be great and perfect, meek and mild, the peoples only hope. And yet, the horror of hearing yelling and screaming to crucify Him. Why?
Throughout her Son’s life Mary pondered events in her heart. She knew the Messiah’s death was part of Old Testament prophesies. She may have recalled when her and Joseph had taken the forty-day old baby to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord. She may have recalled what Simeon, an elderly gentleman, had told her how a sword would pierce her own soul (Luke 2:35).

Standing by the cross of Jesus
were His mother, His mother’s
sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25

Watching her Son die, hearing the crowds yelling insults, all the while remembering Him as a newborn baby, as a child, a teenager, and a young man, her pain would have been unimaginable. She was a mom, who like all moms, loved her Son more than anybody. The helplessness she must have had would have been unbearable.
The injustice from those He had only been loving, kind, and helpful in meeting their needs were now the ones taunting Him. Her grief and unbelief of their behavior towards her child knows no words. Her life at this point is beyond comprehension. Mary has now watched her precious Son despised, tormented, tortured, judged, and crucified. This baby of hers, the boy she raised, and the man she was so proud of had now been executed before her eyes.
Mary’s grief is short lived. Her Son is buried but, as He had told them, He is resurrected on the third day. Mary’s joy would have been even greater than her grief. After forty days her Son ascended back into heaven while she waited with the others. There were one hundred twenty, including His brothers, who waited in an upper room for the promised Holy Spirit to baptize them.
Mary was a normal young girl doing normal young girl things when an angel appeared. She went from young engaged girl to unwed mother. She becomes a wife and mother to other children. She becomes a young widow. At approximately forty-seven or forty-eight years of age she endures the heartache of watching her firstborn Son die a criminal’s death on a cruel cross. Mary is the only human that was with Jesus from birth to death.
Mary is a unique woman in many ways, but what really makes her standout is her humility. She could have very easily snubbed her nose at her neighbors giving birth to “regular” children while she was specifically chosen to carry the Messiah.
God had chosen Mary for an unimaginable act of obedience. Because of her humble submission, God’s plan of salvation for all of mankind was made manifest. Every baby born is a miracle. Mary’s Son was more than that though. He was God in flesh form. He is the miracle.
How old Mary was when she died is not recorded. However, what is recorded, and must be followed by all, is Mary’s last words. Those last recorded words are:

“Do whatever He tells you,”
John 2:5

Thought for the day:
Miracles can happen.
Anonymous

Something to consider:
The two most important days of your life
are the day you are born,
and the day you find out why.
Mark Twain