Mary
The most honored woman
By Jana Baldridge
I believe that the Bible’s most honored woman was Mary, the mother
of Jesus. Of all the Hebrew women, she was chosen by God to be the mother
of His son. What makes her even more special to Christian young women today
is that she wasn’t old; she was to be married to a man named Joseph. In
the Bible times, women married around the ages of 12 or 13. Mary would
have been no older than 16, for that was past the age for marrying.
There are three character qualities I especially admire about Mary:
faith, meekness and patience. Below are notes from the Bible and articles
on Mary about each character quality.
Faith
The definition on faith is: “belief and trust in God.” When the angel
of the Lord first visited Mary, telling her that she was to give birth
to God’s Son (Luke 1:26-33), she showed great faith in trusting God, for
she was not married yet. For a betrothed girl, being found with child before
marriage was death, according to Deut. 22:23-24; Mary even asked the angel
humbly how this was to be (Luke 1:34). Instead of trying to change God’s
mind or arguing why this had to happen to her, Mary choose to be submissive
and have faith that He would protect her and help Joseph to understand
what was going to happen. She lived according to Hebrews 11:1, even though
the verse was written years later: “Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith is a hard character
quality to really have; when I don’t see the good that will come of a trial,
I tend to not trust the Lord anymore. I should remember that “all things
work together for good to those that love God” (Romans 8:28) and that “he
who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)
Meekness
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have
said.” Luke 1:38 Mary’s reply to the angel showed meekness, which is “giving
my rights and expectations to God.” A servant is one who serves others,
not themselves; Mary was willing to do God’s will, even though it probably
meant being shunned by some people and gossip spreading about her. The
angel told Mary that “you are highly favored.” (Luke 1:28) Mary’s meek
spirit was something that God knew was essential for raising Jesus, His
son; Jesus wasn’t a normal boy. He was the Son of God, and Mary knew that
she couldn’t call Him her own son forever. Jesus came into the world to
save people from death, and Mary was willing to accept the mother/Son of
God relationship instead of mother/son. (John 2:1-5) The trait of meekness
is what I admire the most about Mary; having a servant’s attitude all the
time, and to be willing to do the Lord’s will at all times is something
worth having and striving for. And to be “highly favored” of the Lord,
as Mary was, fits the purpose of young ladies to be “all glorious within”.
(Psalm 43:13 KJV)
Patience
Just around the time when Mary and Joseph were probably getting settled
in their home, getting ready for the new baby, then word arrived that each
man had to journey to his hometown. (Luke 2:1-3) For Joseph, this meant
traveling over 60 miles to the town of Bethlehem- with a very pregnant
Mary. The journey was most likely very tiring for her, and though many
people believe that Mary traveled on a donkey, there is nowhere in the
scripture where it mentions that being so; Mary and Joseph could have very
well walked the whole journey. Mary didn’t complain, but had patience during
the journey that God would help her. When the couple arrived in Bethlehem,
no room could be found for them, so they slept in a stable, where Mary
had her baby. (Luke 2:6 & 7) Stables were not exactly clean in those
days and with this being Mary’s first child, it must have been hard for
her to still have patience that everything would work out. Often I think
that my life is hard and forget to count my blessings; some people are
worse off than me and I should be thankful for what I do have. And when
I am having a difficult problem, patience can help me; I know that the
Lord is always with me and will work out everything in his time.
"Blessed in she who has believed that what the Lord has said
to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45 <>