Be Like Mary
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Adoration of the Shepherds by Dutch painter Matthias Stomer, 1632
So, we've been talking about key players in the Christmas narrative. We've talked about the angels. We've talked about the family of Joseph who made room for them in their home, even if not the guest room (the “inn”). We've talked about the shepherds. We’ve talked about Joseph choosing to stay with Mary despite her unusual pre-marriage pregnancy, but what Christmas week would be complete without talking especially about Mary, the mother of Jesus? She’s the one later Christians would call Mary, the Mother of God, the Theotokos, the God-bearer. Now before you get panicky in fear of a Roman Catholic takeover, it's right that we would recognize Mary for who she was and what she did. That's why she's such a significant person.
She was the one who bore the Son of God, who delivered Him on His birthday, who went on to raise Him to manhood. I dare say Mary was the one who knew Jesus most intimately in His life and ministry. To this point, there's a relationship between Mary and the greatest philosopher of all time. Before I tell you who that philosopher is, think about philosophy. What is it? The love of wisdom. Philosophy literally means the love of wisdom. To be sure, Jesus is wisdom. Who loved Jesus most intimately? His mother, and that's why she has been called the greatest philosopher of all time. She was the greatest one ever to love wisdom, to love Jesus.
Why is it that we're still talking about Mary, especially since things that have been said about her over the centuries may be overstated, such as her immaculate conception, sinless life, or bodily assumption into heaven? Well, for starters, she didn't say those things herself. What we can say is what Scripture says, and it tells us first, that when she was invited to play a role in the plan of redemption, when the angel appeared to her, she said, yes. Aren't we glad she did? Mary said to Gabriel’s announcement, “I am the handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be unto me according to your word.” Also, Mary was there as Jesus was presented in the temple, having previously been there when the shepherds visited at His birth. She was there when Jesus and Joseph, along with her, all packed up and went down into Egypt to get out of harm’s way from Herod. She was there throughout His ministry. She was there at the cross. She was there at the resurrection. She was there in the upper room on Pentecost. Mary was significant. We can learn from her to say yes to God and to stick with Jesus no matter what.
There’s one more thing she did that is so valuable. Again, and again she's described as taking all the things she learned about Jesus and pondering them in her heart. Can you think of anything better than Jesus to fill your heart with? Can you think of anything better to ponder?
So, we want to be like Mary. We want to be like she, whose Son saved us and her, the whole world, and we want to say yes when He calls us to our mission. We want to ponder and let sink deep into our being all that we know about Jesus and all that He is to us. Every day, we want to be like Mary, and by doing so, we can be more like her Son, Jesus.
Dr. Thomas J. Gentry (aka., TJ Gentry) serves as the pastor of First Christian Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, the Executive Editor of MoralApologetics.com, and Executive VP of Bellator Christi Ministries. Dr. Gentry is a world-class scholar holding 5 doctorate degrees and 6 masters degrees. Additionally, he is a prolific writer as he has published 7 books including Pulpit Apologist, Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord, and You Shall Be My Witnesses: Reflections on Sharing the Gospel. Be on the lookout for two additional books that he will soon publish. In addition to his impressive resume, Dr. Gentry proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Army and serves as a martial arts instructor.
