Mary, An Example of Courageous Faith
When you think of Mary, do you picture a docile, passive young girl with a blue head covering? (Not sure where the blue head covering comes from!)
Or… do you think of a perfect saint who did no wrong now made into a statue, someone to be revered or even worshiped?
Years ago I read The Real Mary by Scott McKnight which challenged my thoughts and reshaped my image of Mary. Mary was a courageous, influential young lady, and she was also human like us.
Together let’s enter Mary’s story.
What Do We Know About Mary?
We know she was young by our standards, as young as 13 years old by some accounts. She was living in a small rural village name Nazareth with a population of about 400.
It appears it was not a town well thought of as when the disciple Nathaniel is being called by Jesus, he says, “does anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46)
When we are open to God’s calling, He uses us regardless of our age, status, or background.
Mary Knows God and His Word
The same angel that visited Zechariah now visits Mary and proclaims,
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:30-33
Mary knows her scripture. As the angel is talking, her mind most likely went to Isaiah 7:14.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Whereas Zechariah responds in disbelief, Mary responds with belief. She thoughtfully questions the process, but not the validity of the angel’s proclamation.
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1: 34
Why did Mary consent to the plan?
Because she knows the character of God, and she knows the Word. In her song called the Magnificat, she makes 12 illusions to the Old Testament.
Do we know God’s Word? Do we respond to His Word with belief?
Do we live in the same anticipation of His returning that this young girl in a small unknown town lived?
Mary Has Courageous Faith
Mary was not naive, she is aware of how society will treat her. Her engagement to Joseph was seen as the same as being married. The penalty for committing adultery was death by stoning.
Yet she responds with courageous faith,
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38
Mary models courageous submission before Jesus did. Her response reminds us of later in the book of Luke when Jesus, before going to the cross, prays this..
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42
Do we courageously submit to God’s will? Do we submit even when we know what trials may lie ahead? Do we model this for our children?
Mary knows the consequences, and she also knows that being with God for eternity far outweighs any trial here on earth.
See I Peter 4:12-13.
Mary Endures Suffering
Have you ever had to endure whispers of those around you, knowing people were not thinking well of you? I know I have. I have had to leave my reputation in God’s hands and not worry about rumors or gossip.
Mary endures shame and judgement as well, the whispers, those who would no longer associate with her may have been more than she felt like she could bear at times.
Mary identifies herself with sinners just as her son would in His ministry.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? Matthew 9:11
To be clear, I am not saying Mary sinned in her pregnancy, but I am saying some in society would have put her in that category. She knew what the burden of shame felt like.
Mary is Most Likely Physically Strong
She is physically strong – she traveled 80 miles to Bethlehem while pregnant! The Bible never mentions a donkey carrying her. It is possible, but we just really don’t know.
Mary Is Humble Acknowledging Her Need for a Savior
This says something important about the world Jesus was born into. It was a world hungry for a savior, and a world that was living in the reign of a political savior – Caesar Augustus – but that wasn’t enough. from The Real Mary
Caesar Augustus’s real name was Octavius, but he changed his name adding the title Augustus meaning “exalted” and “sacred.” Caesar calls a census and the whole world moves.
He thought he was powerful, but God was only using him as a pawn to fulfill the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
Caesar Augustus exalts himself. God exalts Mary.
…for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed Luke 1:48
Mary Was Not Afraid to Speak Against the Political Leaders of Her Day
Read Mary’s song called the Magnificat here. Believe it or not , her song has been banned in some countries as it is thought of as “politically subversive”. Mary was going “head to head with Herod the Great over matters of everyday concern”.
There is so much more to learn about Mary, so I hope this whets your appetite to dive into God’s Word for yourself and discover the relevance of scripture even in our modern lives.
As you experience and discover Jesus, may you find the Joy this Christmas season as the shepherds did when the angel came to them. Jesus came for you too.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town.. Luke 2:10-11 MSG
An annual tradition in our home is cut out cookies at Christmas. Years ago I went through trial and error to find a gluten free recipe that worked well. Here it is!
I have little patience for decorating! We frost with this frosting. We use sprinkles that are free of chemical dyes and food color that is also free of dyes.
Explore more holiday links below.
