The question Who is Jesus’ Mother? has a simple answer and a more complex answer. The simple answer: Mary is the Mother of Jesus. The more detailed answer will take a lifetime to uncover. Let us look into the Gospel of Luke to begin.
The Mother of Jesus is Mary.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1 verses 26-38 we find out about Mary. She is visited by the angel Gabriel who has quite a message for her. We learn from this passage that she:
- is of the house of David
- is called “highly favored daughter”
- was chosen to bear Jesus, ” Son of the Most High”
- completely trusts in God
Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Mary is from the house of David.
It was foretold that the Messiah would be born in David’s line. It is important that Luke mentions that Mary is from the house of David-one of his descendants.
Mary is called “highly favored daughter.”
What does this mean? The next part of the Archangel Gabriel’s words to her will help us figure this out. He said: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” Luke 1: 28 God is with her. The angel did not say God would be with her, but that God is with her right at that moment.
Some translations of the Bible use the wording “full of grace” in this passage to describe Mary. Mary is indeed full of grace-full of God’s grace. This lets us understand that she is a holy woman as well as a woman highly favored by God.
In the Bible, who else did God favor? Those who loved Him immensely. Think of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and John the Baptist. That Mary is favored by God lets us know that God is pleased by her love for Him.
Mary is chosen to bear Jesus, “Son of the Most High.”
In verses 31 and 32 of Luke 1, the angel Gabriel tells Mary: “You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.”
That is a lot of information! 1) Mary will have a Son she is to name Jesus. 2) Her Son will be “Son of the Most High.” 3) This Son, a descendant of David, will have David’s throne. 4) The Son’s rule will last forever.
Being a Jew, Mary knows what this means. She knows that the Son referred to is the Son of God, the Messiah, who will sit on the throne of His father David.
Mary may not understand everything completely. She does not know all that will happen to make this reality or what life as the mother of the Son will be like. But she does love and trust in God. Otherwise, He would not ask her to do this.
Just as God called Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and John the Baptist, He now calls Mary to fulfill a mission in the salvation history of His people.
Mary completely trusts in God.
Does Mary turn and run at the angel’s words? No. She also does not argue with him or tell him she cannot do what is asked of her.
What does she do instead? She tells him: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” (Luke 1: 38 )
Mary completely surrenders herself to God and His will.
Being an unwed mother in her day and culture meant death by stoning. However, Mary trusted in God that what was told to her by the angel would come to pass. She completely trusted in God to fulfill His word. She stepped out in faith and said yes to what God was asking of her.
Mary the Mother of Jesus is a great example of faith to us.
Mary is the first Christian. She is the first to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Her faith is a great example to us. She listens to what God has to say to her. She says yes to God not knowing what will happen. Actually, she knows it will be difficult, but she says yes anyway.
Mary completely places herself at God’s disposal and she completely trusts in Him.
We can follow the example of Mary the Mother of God.
Mary, as the Mother of God, has a unique perspective. With St. Joseph, she raised Jesus, cared for Him, loved Him, and believed in Him as the Messiah. Mary was the “servant of the Lord” and placed herself in His hands to obey Him in anything He asked her to do.
We can love Jesus, believe in Him as the Messiah, be servants of the Lord, and obey Him in anything He asks us to do. We can be like Mary in these ways.
Read Lessons from Mary, my Mother to learn even more about Mary.
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