According to Luke’s gospel, both Mary and Joseph came from the genealogy of King David. Mary’s line came through David’s son Nathan. Mary descended from an otherwise inconsequential branch of David’s family. Joseph’s branch is the royal line through Solomon. In light of this, Christ inherited David's throne through His stepfather. Jesus' bloodline relationship to David, however, came through Mary.
Mary’s young life may well have been filled with bitter hardships. Her hometown was a forlorn community in a poor district of Galilee called Nazareth. Mary lived there all her life, in a community where, frankly, good things seldom occurred. We know she had one sister (John 19:25) who was with the other women at the crucifixion. We can assume she was a believer but there is no reference to her relationship with Mary. The relative Mary seemed closest to was Elizabeth, an older woman who could have been a cousin or aunt.
It was customary for girls in that culture to be betrothed at an early age, some as young as thirteen. Marriages were ordinarily arranged by the bridegroom or his parents through the girl’s father. We know nothing of Mary’s parents. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, about whom we know next to nothing except that he was a carpenter (Mark 6:3) and a righteous man (Mathew 1:19). Her betrothal to Joseph was a legal engagement which typically lasted a full year. The couple were deemed husband and wife and only a legal divorce could dissolve the marriage contract. But during that time, the couple lived separately from one another and had no physical relations whatsoever. Mary was probably a teenager when the angel appeared to her. She was already formally bound to Joseph by Kiddushin.
Mary had to have thought of all the consequences of being pregnant and unmarried. But in her joy and amazement at being the mother of the Redeemer, Mary surrendered herself unconditionally, saying simply “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Mary, anxious to share her news, hurried to her beloved relative Elizabeth’s. Upon hearing the greeting of Mary, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She shared with Mary her joy and the honor of Mary being the mother of the Lord. Mary’s response was prophetic in itself, filled with messianic hope, scriptural language and reference to the Abrahamic covenant. Her song became known as the Magnificant, an outpouring of praise. (Luke 1:46)
The account of Jesus' birth is known throughout Christendom. But there are only six times afterward that Mary is mentioned in the story of the Messiah, one being the offering in the temple after his birth. The next was His encounter with the scribes in the Temple at the age of twelve during the Feast of the Passover. When His parents were returning home, they thought He was with other families traveling that day. When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days, they found Him in the Temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. When they found Him, Mary said to him, ”Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:41-50)
At age thirty, Jesus began His formal ministry. His first miracle took place in Cana of Galilee at a wedding whose hosts were probably friends of the family. Mary was helping with the reception and was aware that there was no more wine. She approaches Jesus and tells Him “There is no more wine.” He responded “Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” But Mary told the servants to do whatever He asked of them. Jesus told the servants to fill six large water jars each holding 20-30 gallons of water. Then He told them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. The water had been turned to wine. (John 2:1-11)
The next time Mary enters the story of Jesus, she comes with his brothers to take charge of Him. Questioning His mental health and fearing for His safety, they send a message to Him because they are unable to get through the crowd that surrounded Him. Their plan was to take Him home for rest. Jesus’ response was “Who are my mother and brothers?” Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said “Here are my mother and brothers. Whoever does the will of God will be my brothers, sisters and mother. (Mark 3:20-35)
The last two times Mary is mentioned are at a time of horror and a time of joy. Jesus sees her standing near the cross with a group of women and John the disciple. He says to her “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple “Here is your mother.” From that time on, John took her into his home to live. (John 19:25-27) But her final role in the story is in the upper room, after the ascension of Christ. Sitting with the disciples, she is present when Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. (Acts 1:12-14) More than likely she was also in their company on the Day of Pentecost.
Although she was not perfect, as some would have us believe, Mary’s life gives us examples of faith and courage. Knowing that her pregnancy could lead to the end of her relationship with Joseph and, even worse, possible legal repercussions including death, she embraced the words of the Angel Gabriel and accepted the role that God had given to her. And as she stood at the foot of His cross, perhaps God rewarded her faith, blessing her with the assurance that this was not the end.
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