Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “People are what their mothers make them.” If that is true, perhaps we should look closely at the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, the Bible says Mary was the most blessed of all women. (Luke 1:28, 42)
When Mary was a young girl in her teens her father followed the custom of the time and arranged her betrothal to a carpenter named Joseph. Engagement periods usually lasted about a year, so Mary and Joseph made their preparations. Jewish law interpreted a betrothal just as binding as marriage. If Joseph died, Mary would be called his widow and vice versa. If they separated, it was considered a divorce. It was not something entered into lightly.
It was probably a little overwhelming for a young girl. Her body was changing and she more than likely had a mixture of anticipation and anxiety about marriage. Engagements lasted about a year. Typically this time would have been spent with Mary and Joseph getting to know each other better. In addition, she would be making clothes and sewing household linens while Joseph would be building their home and furniture.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary announcing she would give birth to the Messiah, her emotions probably ran the gambit – fear, shock, excitement, apprehension. She felt unworthy, but the angel assured her she had found favor with God. (Luke 1:30) She questioned how she could have a child because she was a virgin. The angel comforted her with, “Fear not!” (Luke 1:30) “With God nothing is impossible.” (Luke 1:37) She trusted God and said, “…be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) When she visited her Aunt Elizabeth who was also pregnant she felt the baby kick. She was filled with joy and praised God. (Luke 1:43-55)
Although she was joyous, it was not easy. She went through a lot to bring Jesus into the world. She had to cope with what others thought about her being pregnant before she was actually married. There was probably a certain amount of scandal or stigma to deal with. The birth itself was less than perfect by human standards and definitely not the kind of birth every woman dreams of. Joseph and Mary were traveling and couldn’t find a proper place to stay so Christ was born in a stable. (Luke 2:8) And then they had to flee the wrath of King Herod and hide in a strange land. (Matthew 2:11-14)
When they returned home we saw Mary as a loving and protective mother. As Jesus transitioned from being just her son into going “about his Father’s business” of ministry, Mary had to let him go. Her motherly instincts wanted to protect him from hurt or harm yet she pondered things in her heart (Luke 2:51) as she released him to his ministry. She relinquished control, but she was with him every step of the way. She was with him when he performed his first miracle. (John 2:1-11) She was with him at the foot of the cross. Perhaps only a mother knows how she suffered when she saw her son reviled, crucified, and hanging dead on a cross. (John 19:25-27) After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary met continually with his disciples for prayer. (Acts 1:14)
Jesus was a special gift to the world. His mother Mary was not chosen at random. Although young, her trust and devotion to God helped her guide and nurture His very own Son. Never underestimate the influence of a godly mother.
