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Mary, The mother of Jesus

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned many times in the Gospels of the New Testament. In Luke 1:27 she is “a virgin pledged to me married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” One should note that in the New Testament women were identified with a man or a location, if they were not married. Bock tells us in his book, “such a connection reflected the patriarchal first-century culture” (15). Here she is identified with Joseph, her fiancé. During the time of the New Testament there was a waiting period of about a year before an engaged couple were married. They waited to have sex until they were married.

Virgin Birth Foretold

The virgin birth was foretold in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Micah 5:2 tells us that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old from ancient times.”

Fulfillment

This was fulfilled in Luke 2:4-7: “4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Because the family eventually returned to Nazareth the Jewish leaders during New Testament times did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. The record of His birth and eventual return to Nazareth can be found in Matthew 1:18 – 2:23.

Mothers Memories

Like any mother Mary had fond memories of her son. Shepherds came to see Jesus, after angels had appeared telling them of the birth. In Luke 2:19; “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Again in Luke 2:51 Mary had occasion to treasure “all these things in her heart”. She was just like most mothers concerned for the welfare of her child.

A Confident Mom

Attending a wedding in Cana in Galilee with all the wine gone, Mary “said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Can’t you just feel the love and pride that a mother has in her children.

A Mother’s Love

Her love was vividly portrayed in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ.” In many scenes one can see the love pouring out for her son. Mary was there, at the cross. John 19:25 “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.”

Jesus cared for Mary

Dying on the cross Jesus remembered his mother and made provisions for her.
John 19:26-27, “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Her is your mother.’ He wanted his mother to be cared for and from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

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Jesus died on the cross for your sins. Romans 5:8 tells us; “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 3:23 tells us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that everyone has sinned. And in Romans 6:23 we read “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus or Lord.” We do have a way out because Jesus suffered and died on that cross, according to Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

If Jesus is speaking to you right now pray this simple prayer, “Jesus I know I am a sinner. I know you died for me. I do confess my sin and believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead. Thank you for saving me as it says in your word.” Now you need to tell someone and go find a Bible believing church.

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In part two we will discuss other Mary’s mentioned in the New Testament.

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Part 2

About the Author:

Lloyd Mize is a Christian entrepreneur, co-publishing and webmaster of a Christian Article Directory. To read or submit articles in the directory please click on Christian Article Bank.

Also, he is the web master of Christian Success Network