Mary: The Mother of Jesus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the truly great women of the Bible. Unfortunately, Mary often is not given the recognition she deserves for who she was, mainly due to all the misconceptions about her.
Some of these misconceptions are:
she is more approachable and more sympathetic than Christ
she is sinless, a perpetual virgin and co-redeemer with Christ
she was taken bodily to heaven (her body did not see decay, similar to Jesus)
her role today is mediatory and intercessory
These misconceptions cause us to miss studying her life and character. She was an strong believer, and a woman of faith, courage, humility, praise, and prayer. We can learn a lot from her.
First, let's examine why some of the common beliefs about Mary are misconceptions.
1. Misconception: Immaculate Conception Doctrine
This teaches that Mary was preserved from original sin, that she was born without a sin nature and lived a sinless life
This is justified by saying for Jesus to be born sinless, he would have to have been conceived within a sinless vessel.
If Mary had a sin nature when she conceived, then Jesus would inherit this sin nature through her.
This fails because it would also require Mary's mother have to be free from original sin, otherwise Mary would have inherited a sinful nature through her.
What Scripture says:
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (this includes Mary)
Rom 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (not one person can be considered righteous)
Luke 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Mary needed a Savior because of her sin)
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves & the truth is not in us.
The miracle of Jesus Christ's conception was that He alone was conceived as the only perfect and sinless one, because He is God!
2. Misconception: Mary is more approachable and sympathetic than Jesus
What Scripture says:
Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jesus was the one, the only one, who was tempted as we are yet without sin
There isn't any temptation we face that He didn't face. He was rejected by friends & family, mistreated physically, tempted by Satan to forsake God, betrayed by a close friend, stolen from throughout his ministry, and the list goes on.
No one can sympathize with you unless they too have had the same thing happen to them (otherwise it's empathy not sympathy). He is sympathetic and has compassion to our struggles.
Because He understands your struggles, you can come to Him - He is always there to help you.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
3. Misconception: The Assumption of Mary
November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared that after Mary's death, Mary was resurrected and taken up into heaven, body and soul, that, like Jesus, her body did not see decay. Also, it was declared that Mary was glorified in heaven and is "exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things."
There is no biblical support. In fact, the Bible does not even record Mary's death.
On the cross Jesus commanded John to take care of Mary.
John, who outlived all the apostles, wrote the gospel of John, the epistles of John and the book of Revelation.
Yet nowhere in any of his writings did John mention anything about what would have been a tremendous miracle.
1 Cor 15:20-23...so in Christ all will be made alive.But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits (all those who have died); then, when He comes, those who belong to him.
Jesus never mentions anything about Mary's resurrection!
4. Misconception: Perpetual Virginity of Mary
This says that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire life.
Mat 1:24-25 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
This implies that they were intimate after marriage therefore could not have remained a virgin.
In fact, Scripture names the children of Joseph and Mary:
Mat 13:55-56 "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? ..."
John 7:3-5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Mat 12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
5. Misconception: Co-Redeemer or Advocate
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it was God's plan that Mary should assist Jesus when He was dying on the Cross. Thus, Mary offered Him as a sacrifice to God on the cross. And her sufferings were so intense almost to the point of death. So much so that she "participated with Jesus Christ in the very painful act of redemption".
"Mary suffered and, as it were, nearly died with her suffering Son; for the salvation of mankind she renounced her mother's rights and, as far as it depended on her, offered her Son to placate divine justice; so we may well say that she with Christ redeemed mankind." - Inter Sodalicia
In 1994 The Roman Catholic church published their official position regarding Mary as co-redeemer - her "intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation".
In 1891, Pope Leo the twelfth declared, "From the great treasure of all graces the Lord has brought, nothing according to the will of God comes to us except through Mary".
He also wrote, "No one can approach Christ except through the Mother".
In the Bible, when people sought to elevate Mary to a place of devotion, Jesus rejected the attempt.
Luke 11:27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you."
Luke 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Mat 12:47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
Mat 12:48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"
Mat 12:49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.
Mat 12:50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Also, in Scripture:
1 John 2:1-2 If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation(atonement) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (no mention of Mary)
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Not Mary, not the Pope, not the saints, not the Church, not the sacraments, and not the priests.
There is only one Advocate and one Mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ.
Sadly, all these misconceptions about Mary, have distracted us from Mary's REAL qualities! These are the qualities that led God to choose her to be the one to give birth to the savior.
1. Mary Was a Woman of Great Faith, especially for a young girl.
READ--Luke 1:26-38
Mary was about 13 years old and engaged to be married (common in that culture)
She's probably making all her wedding plans, dreaming of the life she would have with her soon to be husband
Then her plans suddenly change. An angel tells her that she's going to become pregnant. Not just any boy - this child would be the Son of God - the Messiah!
Her only question is how? since she was a virgin
Mary certainly had to have some fears:
Would her parents and Joseph believe her story?
Would Joseph still want to marry her?
Would she be a single mother? Have a bad reputation? Disgrace her family?
Worse - would she be killed! Engagement = to marriage, and any woman found pregnant out of wedlock could be stoned to death.
Yet, despite all these fears, Mary demonstrates amazing trust and faith when she replies to the angel, "Behold!, the slave-maid of the Lord, may it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38b) (the Greek word she uses is doule (doo'-lay) - slave) Slaves were owned & had no will of their own - they were not free to come and go, and seldom paid for any service like a servant would be.
Mary thought of herself as the slave of God, willing to do whatever He asked. What an example of trust & faith! She completely submitted her will, her agenda, even her life, to God.
2. Mary Was a Woman of Self-control
Matt 1:15 and (Joseph) kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Do you realize what that verse is saying - Mary and Joseph are two young adults (with hormones)... MARRIED... and they abstained from sex! What a great example of self control. After all, there was no law saying they could not have sex after marriage.
But they knew that if they had sex, people would doubt that Mary really had been impregnated by God. They were protecting God's Word - He said a Virgin would conceive.
But also because God told them to wait - and they obeyed.
3. Mary Knew God's Word
Shortly after Mary gets this message, she goes and stays with a relative named Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is pregnant with John the Baptist - a miracle she conceived in her old age.
When she sees Mary she praises her for being the mother of Jesus!
Mary is thrilled at Elizabeth's response to her pregnancy and sings a song of praise to God. This song of praise (Luke 1:46-55) reveals her knowledge of Scripture, because many things she said relate directly to verses in the Old Testament.
It also shows Mary believed the prophesies of the coming Messiah and His Kingdom.
Mary obviously paid attention when the scrolls were read in synagogue, and believed what she heard.
Bible Answer From: The Holypop Team
Some of these misconceptions are:
These misconceptions cause us to miss studying her life and character. She was an strong believer, and a woman of faith, courage, humility, praise, and prayer. We can learn a lot from her.
First, let's examine why some of the common beliefs about Mary are misconceptions.
1. Misconception: Immaculate Conception Doctrine
This teaches that Mary was preserved from original sin, that she was born without a sin nature and lived a sinless life
This is justified by saying for Jesus to be born sinless, he would have to have been conceived within a sinless vessel.
If Mary had a sin nature when she conceived, then Jesus would inherit this sin nature through her.
This fails because it would also require Mary's mother have to be free from original sin, otherwise Mary would have inherited a sinful nature through her.
What Scripture says:
The miracle of Jesus Christ's conception was that He alone was conceived as the only perfect and sinless one, because He is God!
2. Misconception: Mary is more approachable and sympathetic than Jesus
What Scripture says:
3. Misconception: The Assumption of Mary
November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared that after Mary's death, Mary was resurrected and taken up into heaven, body and soul, that, like Jesus, her body did not see decay. Also, it was declared that Mary was glorified in heaven and is "exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things."
There is no biblical support. In fact, the Bible does not even record Mary's death.
Jesus never mentions anything about Mary's resurrection!
4. Misconception: Perpetual Virginity of Mary
This says that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire life.
In fact, Scripture names the children of Joseph and Mary:
5. Misconception: Co-Redeemer or Advocate
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it was God's plan that Mary should assist Jesus when He was dying on the Cross. Thus, Mary offered Him as a sacrifice to God on the cross. And her sufferings were so intense almost to the point of death. So much so that she "participated with Jesus Christ in the very painful act of redemption".
"Mary suffered and, as it were, nearly died with her suffering Son; for the salvation of mankind she renounced her mother's rights and, as far as it depended on her, offered her Son to placate divine justice; so we may well say that she with Christ redeemed mankind." - Inter Sodalicia
In 1994 The Roman Catholic church published their official position regarding Mary as co-redeemer - her "intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation".
In 1891, Pope Leo the twelfth declared, "From the great treasure of all graces the Lord has brought, nothing according to the will of God comes to us except through Mary".
He also wrote, "No one can approach Christ except through the Mother".
In the Bible, when people sought to elevate Mary to a place of devotion, Jesus rejected the attempt.
Also, in Scripture:
Not Mary, not the Pope, not the saints, not the Church, not the sacraments, and not the priests.
There is only one Advocate and one Mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ.
Sadly, all these misconceptions about Mary, have distracted us from Mary's REAL qualities! These are the qualities that led God to choose her to be the one to give birth to the savior.
1. Mary Was a Woman of Great Faith, especially for a young girl.
READ--Luke 1:26-38
Mary certainly had to have some fears:
Yet, despite all these fears, Mary demonstrates amazing trust and faith when she replies to the angel, "Behold!, the slave-maid of the Lord, may it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38b) (the Greek word she uses is doule (doo'-lay) - slave) Slaves were owned & had no will of their own - they were not free to come and go, and seldom paid for any service like a servant would be.
Mary thought of herself as the slave of God, willing to do whatever He asked. What an example of trust & faith! She completely submitted her will, her agenda, even her life, to God.
2. Mary Was a Woman of Self-control
Matt 1:15 and (Joseph) kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Do you realize what that verse is saying - Mary and Joseph are two young adults (with hormones)... MARRIED... and they abstained from sex! What a great example of self control. After all, there was no law saying they could not have sex after marriage.
But they knew that if they had sex, people would doubt that Mary really had been impregnated by God. They were protecting God's Word - He said a Virgin would conceive.
But also because God told them to wait - and they obeyed.
3. Mary Knew God's Word
Shortly after Mary gets this message, she goes and stays with a relative named Elizabeth.