What Can We Learn from Mary (mother of Jesus)?
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God. And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Key Facts
Term Name
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Role
Mother of Jesus Christ
Born
c. 1st century BCE
Died
c. 1st century CE
Key Takeaways
- Mary's 'yes' to God's call in Luke 1:38 exemplifies radical trust in divine purpose.
- Her presence at Jesus' crucifixion (John 19:25-27) redefines spiritual kinship beyond biological ties.
- Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) celebrates God's reversal of human hierarchies through grace.
Who Was Mary (mother of Jesus)?
Mary, a central figure in Christian tradition, was chosen by God to bear Jesus, embodying both divine purpose and human faithfulness.
According to Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary during her betrothal to Joseph, announcing that she would conceive through the Holy Spirit. Mary’s response - 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word' - reflects her humility and trust in God’s plan, even amid the mystery of her selection. This encounter underscores that God’s choices often transcend human understanding, prioritizing spiritual readiness over social status.
Mary’s role as Jesus’ mother is foundational to Christian theology. Her 'yes' to God’s call (Luke 1:38) exemplifies cooperation with divine will, while her presence in Jesus’ life (e.g., at the crucifixion, John 19:25) highlights her enduring spiritual significance. Her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) further reveals her awareness of God’s reversal of human hierarchies, celebrating grace extended to the humble. Though not a priestess or prophet, her story became a model of faith for early Christians.
Mary’s narrative teaches that God works through ordinary people to fulfill extraordinary purposes. Her story invites reflection on how divine plans often unfold in unexpected ways, requiring trust and courage.
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Mary’s Role in the Gospel of Luke
In Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary underscores her pivotal role as the chosen vessel for God’s redemptive plan.
Mary’s response - ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word’ (Luke 1:38) - reveals her deep faith and willingness to embrace an unprecedented divine calling, despite the personal and societal risks involved. Luke frames this moment as a theological statement: God’s power is magnified through human humility and trust.
By centering Mary’s perspective in the Annunciation, Luke elevates her as a model of receptive faith, emphasizing that God’s kingdom advances through those who listen and obey, even when the path is shrouded in mystery. Her ‘yes’ not only fulfills Old Testament prophecies but also redefines motherhood as a partnership with God’s transformative purposes. This narrative choice ensures Mary remains a cornerstone of Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ origins, linking divine initiative with human cooperation.
Mary in the Life of Jesus
Mary's presence at pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry underscores her enduring role as both mother and spiritual participant in his mission.
At the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), Mary interceded when wine ran out, prompting Jesus to perform his first public miracle, a gesture that suggests her attentiveness to communal needs and her confidence in his authority. Her later presence at the crucifixion (John 19:25-27), where Jesus entrusted her to the care of the beloved disciple, highlights her steadfastness amid suffering and redefines familial bonds in light of spiritual kinship. These scenes portray Mary as an active participant in Jesus' divine purpose, rather than a passive figure.
Her presence at the cross, in particular, reveals the depth of her faith and the transformative nature of Jesus' mission. By entrusting her to John, Jesus symbolically expands the scope of his ministry beyond biological ties to a universal community of believers.
What We Can Learn From Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary’s life exemplifies humility, obedience, and trust in God’s promises, offering a timeless model for believers navigating faith and uncertainty.
In her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), Mary declares, 'My soul magnifies the Lord... He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the humble,' reflecting her awareness that God’s power is revealed through human vulnerability. Her willingness to say, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word' (Luke 1:38), even amid the social and personal risks of her divine calling, demonstrates radical trust in God’s wisdom. Imitating her faith today requires embracing humility by recognizing our dependence on God’s grace and surrendering to His purposes, even when they defy human logic. Her example challenges believers to trust that God’s timeline and methods often surpass our understanding, inviting us to act on faith rather than fear.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation where Gabriel announces Mary's divine pregnancy.
John 19:25-27
Jesus entrusts Mary to the beloved disciple at the crucifixion.
Related Concepts
Joseph (husband of Mary) (Figures)
Mary's betrothed and earthly guardian of Jesus, central to Jesus' early life.
Annunciation (Events)
The angelic announcement to Mary about Jesus' birth, foundational to Christian theology.
Incarnation (Theological Concepts)
The divine act of God becoming human through Jesus, fulfilled through Mary's role.