Mary-Mother of Jesus

What can I say about Mary that hasn't already been said?!? Well, for the past couple of months at Florence Blvd. Church of Christ we have been discussing women in the Bible as well and the subject of Mary was one that interested me the most. In the particular Bible lesson that I had, my teacher Ken McKinnon went over three major myths that some have about Mary and the Biblical evidence that tells us that those myths are certainly not true.

Mary Myth #1. Mary is the "Mother of God."
In today's day and age, there are many in this world who believe that Mary is lifted up to a God-like status, and since she gave birth to one of the three parts of the Trinity ,she is therefore the "Mother of God." They believe that since she gave birth to the Son, she acts as an intercessor for us. However, the Bible tells us completely different. In 1 Timothy 2:5-6 is tells us, "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." Romans 8:34 says,"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." All in all, Mary is not an intercessor for us, Jesus Christ is.

Mary Myth #2. Mary is the "Perpetual Virgin"
Many also believe that Mary was a "perpetual virgin." (virgin for the rest of her life). This too is also a big misconception. In Matthew 13:55-56 it says,"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? where then did this man get all these things?" Mary did not give birth to only Jesus. Jesus had half brothers and sisters as well. It was not until 533 A.D. that the second Council of Constantinople(part VI) declared that Mary was an "ever-virgin".(perpetual virgin) The Bible most certainly contradicts such beliefs. Mary was able to and did have children with Joseph after she gave birth to Jesus.

Mary Myth #3. Mary lived sinless life.
Finally, many believe that since Mary was "God-like." That she was also a sinless being. However, Mary indeed was not sinless. In Romans 3:23 it says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." In Galatians 3:22 it says,"But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." As sinners today we needed Jesus to die on the cross so that we might be saved, and even Mary, Jesus mother needed Jesus in the very same way. The only person who was ever sinless on this world is Jesus Christ himself. In 1 Peter 2:22 it says "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth." Jesus was perfect, and Mary needed His precious sacrifice just as much as the rest of us. All in all Mary was just as much of a regular person as you and I.

Now that we have busted a couple of myths about Mary, it is important to recognize the tremendous qualities that she possessed. Mary accepted God's role for her in tremendous and humbling ways, In that day and age, the pregnancy of Mary would have been the community scandal. Even though the people around her gossiped about her and scoffed her, she kept the Word of the Lord in her heart and did just as God told her to do. This takes a tremendous amount of faith. Another important aspect of Mary's, was her ability to be humble. Twice in the book of Luke it says that Mary, "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." or she "kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:19 and Luke 2:51). Mary intently listened to Jesus and His teachings and learned from what He was saying. This takes a great amount of humility and meekness. Ultimately, Mary was obedient. She did just as God told her to do and was faithful to Jesus until the very end. Mary is definitely a woman to learn lessons from.