The Empowering Strength of Mary, the Mother of Jesus…
There are many words that Christians utilize to paint a picture of Mary, the Mother of Jesus…saint, willing servant, humble, highly favored, faithful, devoted…but my favorite characteristic of Mary is her strength. In Christianity, we tend to glorify and honor more submissive descriptors and tend to glorify more passive, demure qualities, especially when it comes to women. Here lately, this sentiment has not been sitting well with my spirit. I think Mary’s strength so often is underscored compared to all the other qualities previously listed, and this is unfortunate. Mary was all of these things…but she was strong as iron, from the “moment of conception,” to the death of Jesus. Mary was a picture of strength and we have several examples to explore in the Bible.
Mary learns about her conception in a most terrifying way, through the appearance of the Angel Gabriel. In previous depictions of angel encounters in the Bible, men are noted to drop to their knees in fear. Before we ever hear of Mary’s angel visitation, the Gospel of Luke describes Gabriel’s encounter with Zacharias to deliver a message regarding a “very old” Elizabeth’s pregnancy. (Luke 1:11-13). Verse 12 says, “and Zacharias was troubled and fear gripped him.” Luke chapter 1, verse 20 discusses how Gabriel silenced Zacharias, making him mute, for expressing disbelief. Mary’s encounter with the same angel, Gabriel, is described in Luke chapter 1:26-38:
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
The difference between Mary and Zacharias’ encounter with Gabriel is a stark contrast indeed. Mary already enters onto the stage without documented outward demonstrations of fear. Mary is told not to fear prior to the news delivered, not because of the presence of the angel himself. I find this very fascinating. Luke goes on to tell of how Mary will give birth to a son, Jesus, who is the Son of the Most High.
34 "How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.” 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary’s brave acceptance of an unmarried pregnancy, understanding the social implications around that condition in this culture and time period was no easy task. Neither was facing an angel. That took strength, powered by faith. She goes on to exalt God from Luke 1:46-55 in a beautiful song of praise. Inspiring.
In the Christmas story, we read about Mary giving birth in a stable. I have given birth four times. I could never imagine giving birth in a barn, with animal spectators, or outside. Wow. Enough said…STRENGTH.
One of my favorite descriptions of an encounter with Mary and Jesus comes in John Chapter 2, when we read about the wedding in Cana. Here you have Jesus and his family attending a wedding and a social faux pas occurs…the wedding party runs out of wine (late into the party by the way). Mary comes to Jesus to ask him to fix this situation (even though he has not yet revealed himself to others as the miracle-making Messiah). John 2:4-5 says,
4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5 His mother said to the servants. ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”
Did you catch the interaction here? Mary ignores what Jesus says to her, turns to the servants and tells them to “do whatever he tells you” like the deal is done. There is no further discussion and we see that Jesus obeys his mother without another word…and not only does he obey, but he makes a significant amount of amazing wine at that! This encounter is quite intriguing and reiterates the strength of Mary as a woman and as a mother, even a mother to the Son of God. Ha! There is such an ironic humor in that encounter and how THIS is the first miracle of Jesus we are told about in the Bible. It makes me smile.
No one can imagine the horror and agony of watching your child be viciously tortured and murdered. The Bible documents Mary’s presence throughout this entire gruesome process. Sitting at the cross, watching her baby boy die. I can’t imagine the strength it would take to be present for Him and not to look away.
I have been so very encouraged to study on and ponder Mary’s faith and strength. It is her faith, acceptance and willingness to serve God despite any social consequences, her birth experience, her intervention at the wedding at Cana and her constant presence at the tortuous death of her son that leads us right back to Jesus. I am truly grateful and empowered by this example of a woman’s strength in faithfulness to God…pointing back to devotion to Jesus.
Be Revealed,
Lori