“Mary“
[By Sandra Steeves]

What an astonishing woman! Singled out from all women of earth, Mary was the focus of the most important of all plans from God. She is often glossed over due to the obsession some religions place on her, but consider the scriptures that give insight into the kind of person she was.

Luke 1:28 – “…Rejoice, highly favored one… blessed are you among women” (NKJV). Gabriel’s opening remark reveals God has chosen a special person. This selection reflects her pure heart (Matthew 5:8).

The sheer bravery of her answer shows Mary’s desire to seek after God’s righteous will and obey (Matthew 5:6). In that society, and under Jewish law, a pregnant, unwed mother faced catastrophic obstacles, to even the possibility of stoning. Contemplate Mary’s answer in the face of such possibilities.

Mary’s closing remarks to Gabriel show her humility and meek spirit (Matthew 5:3, 5). “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word’” (ASV). What courage, what faith, what trust in her God! No doubt from her, no questioning how she will navigate the perils her society and culture would place on an unwed mother. And not a word of regret over potentially the destruction of a marriage and the security and social status that would have given.

Read Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46-55. The short passage offers even more insight into her heart and character, revealing her humility of mind and zeal to submit to God’s will.

Finally, from Luke 2:35, we read that this choice and her devotion to God will also cause her anguish and to suffer greatly (Matthew 5:10), as she watches her Son grow only to be rejected and ultimately murdered by humankind. From Matthew 5, Mary reflects the attributes found in verses: 3, 5, 6, 8, & 10.