May is a month that is special for our family. We will celebrate three birthdays and a wedding anniversary. The end of the month brings the Memorial Day holiday, and the unofficial beginning of Summer. May is also special to most all of us, because that is the month in which we observe Mother’s Day. There is no name on earth that is more dear to most of us than, “Mother”. Much of what we learn in our formative years is taught to us by our mothers.
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was not perfect or sinless, but she was a good example of sound parenting for all of us. Consider the following things about Mary that make her such a model mother.
First, consider her character. She was a woman who trusted God. The first chapter of Luke’s gospel tells us, “… the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (vs. 26-30) ESV. Mary was a woman who was the object of God’s Grace.
Her courage was also great. Verses 30-38 tells us that even though she didn’t fully understand, she was willing to be used of God. No doubt she knew she would be falsely accused of immorality, but she (and Joseph) showed great courage and faith in God.
She was also a woman who contemplated on the mysteries of God and all the unknowns that surrounded this Holy Child she had been given. Look at verses 19 and 52 from Luke chapter 2. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” And “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” Mary meditated on what was said about Jesus, and what was said by Him. She attempted to understand. Understanding is something that all parents need.
Then consider her confidence. John 2:1-11 tells the story about Jesus and His mother being at a wedding feast in the Galilean town of Cana. You may remember the story, about the crisis that arose when the host ran out of wine. This would have been a tremendous embarrassment to the host of the wedding feast. When Mary heard of the crisis, she came to Jesus and told Him of the need. After telling Him of the need, notice what Mary said (in verse 5) to the servants at the feast. “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” She obviously believed in her son and knew He would do the right thing. Every parent should desire to have such confidence.
Finally, we see Mary’s commitment to Jesus. At Calvary we find Mary there at the foot of the cross. In John 19:25-27 we see Mary there with the Apostle John among others who followed Him. One of Jesus’ final seven sayings from the cross was directed to them. “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” Mary stayed committed to her son all the way to the cross – and beyond! Acts 1 tells us that after Jesus had ascended back to Heaven, that the disciples came back to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Spirit that He had given them. Notice who was also with the group – “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet … All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Oh, for more Godly mothers today, who would exhibit the character, courage, contemplation, and commitment that Mary did!
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was not perfect or sinless, but she was a good example of sound parenting for all of us. Consider the following things about Mary that make her such a model mother.
First, consider her character. She was a woman who trusted God. The first chapter of Luke’s gospel tells us, “… the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (vs. 26-30) ESV. Mary was a woman who was the object of God’s Grace.
Her courage was also great. Verses 30-38 tells us that even though she didn’t fully understand, she was willing to be used of God. No doubt she knew she would be falsely accused of immorality, but she (and Joseph) showed great courage and faith in God.
She was also a woman who contemplated on the mysteries of God and all the unknowns that surrounded this Holy Child she had been given. Look at verses 19 and 52 from Luke chapter 2. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” And “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” Mary meditated on what was said about Jesus, and what was said by Him. She attempted to understand. Understanding is something that all parents need.
Then consider her confidence. John 2:1-11 tells the story about Jesus and His mother being at a wedding feast in the Galilean town of Cana. You may remember the story, about the crisis that arose when the host ran out of wine. This would have been a tremendous embarrassment to the host of the wedding feast. When Mary heard of the crisis, she came to Jesus and told Him of the need. After telling Him of the need, notice what Mary said (in verse 5) to the servants at the feast. “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” She obviously believed in her son and knew He would do the right thing. Every parent should desire to have such confidence.
Finally, we see Mary’s commitment to Jesus. At Calvary we find Mary there at the foot of the cross. In John 19:25-27 we see Mary there with the Apostle John among others who followed Him. One of Jesus’ final seven sayings from the cross was directed to them. “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” Mary stayed committed to her son all the way to the cross – and beyond! Acts 1 tells us that after Jesus had ascended back to Heaven, that the disciples came back to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Spirit that He had given them. Notice who was also with the group – “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet … All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Oh, for more Godly mothers today, who would exhibit the character, courage, contemplation, and commitment that Mary did!
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