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Jesus (Women — Mary and the Birth of Jesus)

In my study of Jesus and women I want us now to move to ‘the woman’ of Jesus’ life, Mary His Mother.

There is no question but that Mary the Mother of Jesus is the most famous woman in world history just as her Son is the most famous and well-known person in history.

These two, mother and Son have truly shaped the world and eternity.

In some circles of Christianity Mary is worshiped, even prayed to while in other circles of the church Mary is almost never spoken about except at Christmas.

In these columns I will give you every verse in the New Testament that speaks of Mary the Mother of Jesus and let the Word of God speak for itself.

I want us to simply look at this incredible woman.

This is just a small overview as I let the Bible speak for itself.

Mary was chosen by God to give birth to His Son. What an honor and mission in life.

Mary was open to the revelation of God which continued throughout her life as she not only carried the Baby Jesus but cared for Him in His childhood, stayed with Jesus in His ministry, was at the cross and even with the 120 on the day of Pentecost after Jesus had ascended to heaven.

She was a woman on a mission, with a mission and she was there with and for Jesus all His life.

This woman is the object of devotion and scorn. She is revered and accused of being a liar. As you read about her you will decide.

Welcome to the journey with Jesus and Mary.

Please read the following as if it were your first time finding about Mary the Mother of Jesus.

Matthew 1:16
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Luke 1:26-56
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth ,
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
“And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
“Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah ,
and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth .
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
“But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
“For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel , in remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria .
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:15-20
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Now what do you think so far?
We have read the scriptures concerning the Birth of Jesus. One can only be amazed at the composure of this woman. She was submitted to the will of God and obedient to the call of God and free to let the Holy Spirit be realized in her.
She is a thrilling example for both women and men.

Mary the mother of Jesus and Elizabeth were both filled with the Holy Spirit before Jesus was born. Wow. Just read and let your mind consider what happened in that home when these two women were together.
Then came the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the shepherds coming to worship.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Oh the glory of these words. God became Flesh! It was God that chose to enter the world through a woman. What an honor.
Ponder the scripture about Mary and consider all her struggle during her time of carrying Jesus.
She was with Child yet walked (there is no record of her riding a donkey) at least 130 miles from Nazareth to the south of Jerusalem where Elizabeth lived. Then back to Nazareth the same 130 miles. Then just before giving birth she walked back down to Bethlehem another 130 miles for a grand total of 390 miles (627 km)! Walking 20 miles a day that would have been at least 18 days and nights on the road while she was carrying the Baby Jesus in her womb.

A strong, spirit-filled woman!
This tough woman gave birth to Jesus in an animal barn at night. Bloody and with the newborn she had the unexpected guests of the shepherds. There in the straw she welcomed the men from the fields.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1