A Special Woman

Nothing about the birth of Jesus was accidental or a coincidence. Everything that happened was part of God’s plan. The Bible says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). One of the most important parts of the plan was the selection of the woman who would be the mother of the Messiah. In Mary, God found a pure, godly, and loving young lady who would be able to carry the great responsibility of being Jesus’ mother.

Some have painted a picture of Mary that is distorted from what the Bible teaches. Mary was not born without sin. She herself declared her need of salvation: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46–47). Mary was not a perpetual virgin. She had other children with Joseph after Jesus was born (Mark 6:3). And Mary is not the mediator to whom we should pray for access to God—Jesus is the only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

But the myths that have grown up around Mary should not keep us from acknowledging her amazing level of faith in God. The plan Gabriel revealed to her represented a life-shattering change that would bring enormous criticism and eventually great sorrow. But because it was God’s plan, she gladly accepted it.

Today’s Discipleship Principle: We should cultivate the same loving and obedient heart that Mary had toward the things of God.