Bible Question: Who was Mary, the mother of Jesus?

Bible Answer: The New Testament has some very interesting things to say about Mary, the mother of Jesus. We know that she was a young woman when she first appears in the pages of scripture. Luke 1:26-27 says that Mary was a virgin and was engaged to Joseph before the angel told her that she would give birth to a son. The angel told her that she would be "overshadowed" by the Holy Spirit - that is how she would become pregnant with Jesus (Matt. 1::20-25). We know that her husband was Joseph (Matt. 1:24-25).

Jesus was her first born from the womb (Luke 2:7). We know that she had other children (Matt. 13:55-56). The names of the boys were James, Joseph, Simon and Judas, but the names of her daughters we do not know. We know that her husband was a carpenter (Matt 13:55).

She saw many wondrous things during her life because of the things that happened to Jesus as well as the things that He did (Luke 2:19). Mary and Joseph saw Jesus listening and asking questions of the religious teachers (Luke 2:41-52). Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and answers. Some mothers would have been disturbed, but Mary “treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51).” His mother had a most unusual boy because Jesus grew up as a child who gained "wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52).

She saw Jesus turn water into wine (John 2:1-12). After that event the New Testament is silent about Mary until Jesus’ death. John 19:25-27 says that she saw Jesus die on the cross - she stood near the cross on which He died. Jesus loved His mother as is evident by the fact that even while He was on the cross, He asked His favorite disciple to take care of her upon His death (John 19:27). The final glimpse of Mary occurs in Acts 1:14 where we are told that she joined the disciples in prayer.

Gibbons summarized Mary’s life with,

Virginal modesty becoming the maid. Conjugal fidelity and loyalty of the spouse. Untiring devotedness of the mother.

What he leaves out is the fact that Mary also had a spiritual side. When God had asked her to give birth to Jesus, she responded with “Behold the hand maiden of the Lord, be it unto me according to Your Word (Luke 1:47).” What a faithful, godly woman. She demonstrated her dependence on a savior when she added, “My spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior (Luke 1:38).”

Conclusion:Mary was a godly woman and mother of our Lord and Savior. We can only imagine how great her reward will be some day in heaven for placing God above her comfort. I am sure she suffered ridicule for the early pregnancy. She suffered as she watched her son be mocked and die. But what joy she must have had when she saw Him alive. This is a call for women to be godly, faithful followers of Jesus and for married women to be examples to husbands and children in all that God brings their way.