Learn from Mary, the Mother of Jesus

In an age where definitions of motherhood have become flexible, Mary stands tall as a model of godly motherhood. She was not a womb-for-hire, surrogate mother, who God used, paid off, and sent away. Even though many women were loved and blessed by God in the Scriptures, Mary, in particular, was highly favoured by God. (Lk 1:28,30).

Mary was a deep and thoughtful woman. She had fruitful faith, apparent in her humble response to Angel Gabriel, and her consent to a virgin birth that which would subject her to public shame and hardship. She was willing to follow God at any cost. Her son, Jesus, would later call His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. Mary was already following His command. Discipleship to Christ was costly for her and is still costly for us, as we love and serve others, even our enemies. We see her faith as she stood by her son all the way to the end.

Jesus was well aware of His origin and the mission given to Him by His Father in heaven. Even at the age of  twelve, He had a strong desire to “be about His Father’s work” (Luke 2:49). That desire was again pointed out to Mary when He performed His first miracle in the Galilean town of Cana by turning water into wine (John 2:1–12). At a wedding feast, the supply of wine was depleted. Mary saw the need and desired to help, and so she explained the situation to her son, (v.4) and gave instruction to the servants: “Whatever He says to you, do it” (verse 5). Jesus then performed the miracle of changing more than hundred and twenty gallons of water into wine. Mary knew who to turn to when she faced challenges in life; she knew the Source of her strength. Do we know Jesus as the source of our strength, as well? Are we willing to turn to Him?