Mary's Life

Mary’s Life

            After reading the biography of several famous people recently, I began to wonder about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Probably Mary is The Most Famous Woman, respected, honored, revered and loved all over the world. What was her life like? Maybe not what you think?

            Mary was born, after many years of prayer, to an elderly couple. They felt so blessed that they dedicated Mary to God. Contrary to common thought, Mary’s parents must have been wealthy rather than poor. Placing Mary in a convent for her religious education was expensive, a luxury that most children did not have. Mary was a good student. She learned all of the prayers, the laws, rites and rituals of the Jewish religion along with the usual studies. Except for the fact Mary was more educated then most it was a normal, average life…-until…an angel appeared.

            Being young and alone in your room, having an angel appear-even knowing angels won’t hurt you, is scary enough. His message was even more frightening. He told Mary she would bear the “son of God!” WOW!!! Great news! Well, not exactly!

            You must remember this was 2,000 years ago. Living with your boyfriend and having kids out of wedlock does not even merit a raised eyebrow today. In Mary’s day it could get you stoned to death. Not a pleasant way to die.

            We know from the Bible that Mary’s parents had arranged her marriage, as was the custom, to a carpenter named Joseph. Although he was older, and a widower with children, her parents had made a good choice. He was mature, a good man, true to the Jewish faith, and had an established trade that would provide well for Mary. When he learned of Mary’s pregnancy, like most men of wisdom, he had second thoughts. He also was visited by an angel that affirmed that Mary was indeed bearing the son of God.

            You can’t keep a pregnancy a secret for long. Mary was married to Joseph, but that didn’t stop the whispers, giggles, snide remarks and snubs. “Bad enough that she was pregnant before marriage, but to claim she is still a virgin? She should be stoned like any other sinner.” It must have been hard for Mary.

            We are all familiar with the Christmas story and how the little family had to flee before Harrold found the child. Eventually, they returned home to Nazareth. Mary taught Jesus the Jewish laws and to love God. Joseph taught him carpentry and a good work ethic. Not much is said about his young life.

            I read, a long time ago, a story where Jesus’ grandparents planed a birthday party for the young boy. When asked what he wanted, he asked them to invite the poor kids and give them gifts. True? I don’t know.

            The Bible does tell us that at 12 Jesus put Mary in a panic. Jesus was missing for 3 long, tortuous days. If you have lost track of a child for a few hours you can sympathize with her terror. Oh, the emotions. Relief and thankfulness that he was found safe. Anger that he was so inconsiderate to put them through such pain. Pride that ‘her young son’ could carry on a conversation with these intelligent man of religious knowledge.

            Mary must have had many problems at home. Sibling rivalry must have raised its ugly head. Did Mary have other children? Did Joseph’s children understand this strange person or resent the upset to the household? Mark 3:21 “They went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind.” Did Mary agree with them? Knowing that your child is weird does not dissipate a mother’s love. It only makes her want to protect the child from the worlds scorn.

            Mary asked Jesus to change the water into wine. His first recorded miracle. But, how did she feel when he said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Did she believe Him or was she just upset because the old accusations started again? “We know this man, he is uneducated.” “What gives him the right to speak as a priest?” “Isn’t this Joseph’s illegitimate son?” etc.

            She must have been very proud when she heard of his healing all over the land. Was she as proud when she heard he healed on the Sabbath? He spent too much time with sinners; a questionable woman washed His feet; he insulted his host; he didn’t wash his hands before eating; he made a scene in the temple calling it a “den of thieves.” These were not the Jewish laws she taught Him.

            Then came the day she watched brokenhearted and helpless as her son died on the cross for no reason. She probably suffered more then Jesus did. Mary was still a human being. Jesus, was by then, the Christ which knows no pain. At that moment she might not have realized His impact on humanity, but she didn’t care about all of the Jewish laws that He had broken or any embarrassment about His birth; or that He was teaching a new religion that she didn’t understand. She was his mother, she loved Him for being her son regardless of how wrong He might be.

            Most of humanity has left Jesus hanging on the cross. Did Mary believe that it was her son’s mission to die as a blood sacrifice for our sins? Mary looked into the grave and knew the body was gone. Did that awake her suffering heart to the Truth that “her son taught?” Was it revealed to her that Jesus’ mission was not to die, but to teach us how much God loves us and wants to see us living the happy, healthy, productive lives we were created for? We will never know.

            The Bible tells us that for a time Mary was with the band of believers in the “Upper Room.” It doesn’t tell us that she was there when Jesus visited. To my knowledge, “Mary the mother of the man who changed the world” is not mentioned again in the Bible. Did Jesus contact her in private? Or was she not ready to give up the memory of the sweet baby that she held in her arms, nursed, rocked, sang to sleep, and loved so deeply? Let the world have their Savior; she has Jesus her son to remember.

            We will never know what Mary felt and suffered or the joy and blessings she received. We do know she gave birth to and raised the Son of God, which taught the world how to live as God intended, with love, health and happiness. For this we will be forever grateful.

            1122 words                Loretta Ellen Edwards