Mary, Did You Know?

 

            As we approach the celebration of our Savior’s birth, I want to take a closer look at some of the main participants in Christ’s first appearance on Earth.  It is only fitting that we begin with Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

            Mark Lowery in his song “Mary, Did You Know?” opens our minds to all kinds of questions.  Let’s begin with Gabriel showing up to give her the awesome news.  While any woman would be surprised or even shocked if an angel came to tell her that she would be the mother of God’s own son, Mary had an advantage over us.  She was a Jew, so she was very much aware of the prophecies.  She knew that the Messiah was to be born of a virgin, so unlike us, she may have been somewhat prepared.  But then, how can anyone prepare for the thought of giving birth to the Son of God?

            We also wonder why she immediately went to visit Elizabeth but when you consider Elizabeth’s situation, it becomes much more understandable.  Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, were “well along in years” and had no children when an angel appeared to Zechariah in the temple to tell him that they would have a son.  He was instructed to name the son, John, and was told that John’s job would be to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord”.  By the time, that Mary arrives, Elizabeth had been pregnant for about six months, and immediately her baby recognized the Sovereignty of the baby that Mary was carrying.  I’m sure that acknowledgment had to be reassuring to Mary.  Probably no one on earth understood what Mary was experiencing better than Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was probably a confidante, an encourager, and a tremendous support to Mary as she wrapped her head around the prospect of giving birth to the Son of God.

            At various places in Mary’s story, the Scriptures tell us that she was “greatly troubled” or that she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” or she “treasured all these things in her heart”.  Did you ever stop to wonder what exactly she was thinking?  After all, she knew the prophecies.  The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah as a “suffering servant” and that He would be pierced for our transgressions.  Did she think about those prophecies as this baby lay in her arms or as He grew to manhood?

            Did she not understand why He was at the temple when she and Joseph found Him after a three-day search?  Or was she just so upset with the thought that she had lost the Son of God that she couldn’t understand anything at that moment?

            There is no question that she understood His power.  She made that very clear when she prompted Jesus to perform His first miracle by turning water into wine.  What we don’t know is to what extent did she understand not just His power but His mission.  When she stood at the foot of the cross on that dreadful day, did she think that something had gone horribly wrong in God’s plan, or did it finally all make sense?

            We don’t know Mary’s thoughts as she experienced the most blessed and surprising roller coaster ride of a lifetime, but we do know her faith.  When Gabriel gave the news, her response was “I am the Lord’s servant”.  After Christ was resurrected and had ascended back into heaven, she was one of those who gathered with the disciples in prayer, awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I’m sure she had questions along the way, but her faith never wavered. 

            May we have that same kind of faith, even when we don’t understand.  Remember, God has a plan, and He will bring it to fruition!

Hebrews 11: 1