So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. Luke 2.33
How bewildering it must have been for Mary to be the mother of Jesus! At the time of the announcement of his conception and birth, Mary questioned the angel, Gabriel, as to how such a thing would happen since she was a virgin. Yet she humbly accepted what Gabriel told her, Luke 1.38.
After his birth, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord as their first born child. The offering that they were to make was a pair of doves or two young pigeons, not the offering of a wealthy family. It is while at the temple that Simeon, to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would see the Lord’s Christ before his death, took the baby in his arms and blessed God. His words amazed Joseph and Mary. At that moment, Anna, a prophetess, approached them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the baby.
The next account that is written is when Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus was twelve years old. He did not leave with them on the return trip, but stayed in Jerusalem in the temple talking with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, Luke 2.46. Upon their return to Jerusalem to search for him, Joseph and Mary found him in the temple among the teachers. They did not understand the remark that Jesus made when he replied that he must be in his Father’s house. He returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. Luke wrote that Mary kept all those things in her heart.
Just as Jesus grew in wisdom, Mary also grew in understanding. In John 2 at the wedding in Cana in Galilee, Mary recognized a problem which she took to Jesus, expecting him to solve it. She had some understanding of who her son was.
Mary allowed God to use her life in a miraculous way. She humbly accepted what God wanted her to do, even though it was not without difficulties, probably including some embarrassing times.
May we follow her example of willingness and obedience to God.
by Vicki Matheny