Like Son, Like Mother: Something About Mary

Introduction: The Unusual Suspect

Ah, Mother's Day. A time to celebrate the unsung heroes who brought us into this world and, despite everything, didn't leave us in a basket at the neighbor's doorstep...or take us out. And in this moment, I believe it only right that we dive into the story of the most famous mother of all—Mary, the mother of Jesus. Aside from being mom to the Savior of the world, there's also a very important lesson I believe we must take from her. 

The Angelic Encounter

Picture this: Mary is minding her own business when Gabriel, the angel, pops in with a life-changing announcement (Luke 1:26-30). Now, I don't know about you, but if an angel appeared to me, I'm out! (Just not quite that holy yet. Don't judge me.) But not Mary! Sure, she was "confused and disturbed" (which is angelic-speak for "freaking out"), but she listened. Gabriel assured her that she was favored by God and would give birth to the Son of God. Her response? "How can this happen? I am a virgin." (Luke 1:34). Classic Mary—straight to the point.

Mary: The Ideal Follower

What makes Mary remarkable isn't just her virgin birth claim. It's her faith and obedience. When Gabriel explained how the Holy Spirit would make this miracle happen, Mary simply said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true" (Luke 1:38). Talk about faith under pressure! Imagine if you were told you'd give birth to the Son of God. I can see many folk's response right now. "...Let me pray on that..." with no intentions on getting back to him. Congrats on having that good a prayer life...except no LOL.

Blessed Among Women

Fast forward a few days, and Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who declares Mary "blessed among women" (Luke 1:42). Elizabeth's baby even leaps in her womb at Mary's greeting. That's right—Mary's voice was the original baby dance party starter. But why was Mary blessed? Not just because she was Jesus' mom, but because she believed God's promise (Luke 1:45). It's a reminder that faith, not just motherhood, brings blessings.

Followership Over Circumstance

Contrast Mary with Zechariah, who also had a divine encounter. When Gabriel told him he’d have a son, Zechariah's response was more like, "Yeah, right. Have you seen my age? Don't even get me started on my wife!!" (Luke 1:18). I'd say pray for good ol' Zeke, but chances are Elizabeth never heard him say it so he's good. However, his skepticism earned him a divine time-out—mute until his son John was born. Mary, on the other hand, questioned logistics but ultimately trusted God. The lesson here? Faith isn't about understanding every detail but simply trusting in God's plan.

Conclusion: Like Son, Like Mother

Mary's story isn't just about being the mother of Jesus; it's about being a model of faith and obedience. She shows us that true followership is about saying, "I am the Lord's servant," even when the future is uncertain. May we celebrate the faith of Mary and strive to follow her example of trust and devotion. After all, like Son, like mother.

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— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church