Mothers Who Mattered #5: Mary — “Be It Unto Me According to Thy Word”

ok, let's move ahead according to this schedule

Excellent. Then for tomorrow, let's proceed with Mary as the fifth installment in the series.

Mary, the mother of Jesus

Scripture Reading

Luke 1:26–56; Luke 2:1–52; John 19:25–27; Acts 1:14

When we think of mothers who shaped the course of biblical history, no name stands higher than Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Yet the remarkable thing about Mary is not her prominence but her humility. She was not a queen, a prophetess, or a ruler. She was a young woman from the small village of Nazareth, largely unknown to the world.

Yet God chose her to bear and nurture the promised Messiah. Mary's story reminds us that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to trust Him.

Her life demonstrates faith, obedience, perseverance, and devotion through both joy and sorrow.

Chosen by Grace

Luke tells us that the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary with an astonishing message:

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:31)

The announcement raised understandable questions. Mary knew the promise was humanly impossible. Yet after receiving the angel's explanation, she responded with one of the greatest statements of faith in Scripture:

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38)

Mary did not fully understand everything that lay ahead. She could not foresee Bethlehem, Egypt, Calvary, or the empty tomb. Yet she entrusted herself to the God who had spoken.

Faith is not having all the answers. Faith is trusting the One who does.

A Mother Who Praised God

Soon after learning of God's plan, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth. There she offered a magnificent hymn of praise often called the Magnificat:

"My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46–47)

These words reveal a young woman deeply grounded in Scripture. Her praise echoes the songs and promises of the Old Testament, especially Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2.

Mary understood that God exalts the humble, keeps His promises, and remembers His covenant people. Her focus was not on herself but on the greatness of God.

Treasuring God's Work

After Jesus was born, shepherds came with reports of angelic announcements. Luke records:

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Later, after the twelve-year-old Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem discussing Scripture with the teachers, Mary again found herself confronted with mysteries she could not fully understand.

Luke writes:

"His mother kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:51)

Mary teaches us that faith sometimes requires patience. Not every question receives an immediate answer. There are seasons when God's people must treasure His promises while waiting for greater understanding.

Standing Near the Cross

Perhaps the most moving scene in Mary's life occurs at Calvary.

Years earlier, Simeon had warned her:

"Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also." (Luke 2:35)

Now that prophecy was fulfilled as she watched her Son suffer and die.

John records:

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother..." (John 19:25)

Many fled. Some hid in fear. Mary remained.

Her presence at the cross reminds us that faithfulness is not merely believing when God's blessings are evident.

Faithfulness also means remaining near Him when the path leads through grief and confusion.

Present at the Birth of the Church

Mary's final appearance in Scripture is easy to overlook.

Following Christ's resurrection and ascension, the disciples gathered in prayer while awaiting the promised Holy Spirit. Among them was Mary:

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication..." (Acts 1:14)

The woman who had welcomed Christ's arrival into the world was still faithfully serving Him decades later.

There is something beautiful about that quiet conclusion. Scripture does not portray Mary seeking prominence or authority.

Instead, she appears as a faithful disciple among other believers, devoted to prayer and committed to the Lord she had first cradled as a child.

What We Can Learn from Mary

Mary's greatness did not arise from status, wealth, or power. It arose from her willingness to trust God.

• She believed when she did not fully understand.

• She praised God when His plans seemed overwhelming.

• She remained faithful through sorrow.

• She continued serving long after the extraordinary events of Bethlehem had passed.

Her example reminds us that God delights to use humble servants who simply say, "Yes, Lord."

The world celebrates those who make their own way. Scripture celebrates those who surrender their way to God.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we will meet another remarkable mother: Elizabeth, whose patient faith and long years of waiting prepared the way for the birth of John the Baptist and the coming of the Messiah.

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Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your mother Mary and her humility and obedience to the Word of God. Help me live as she did and say "Be it unto me according to Thy Word," and to be obedient to her direction, "Whatsoever He saith unto you do it." I ask in Your name. Amen.

If you agree with this prayer and want to pray with me, let me know in the Comments section below, and we wll pray together to Him and for each other. -- Ken

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I SURRENDER ALL

All to Jesus, I surrender;

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

Refrain

I surrender all, I surrender all,

All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power;

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender;

Now I feel the sacred flame.

O the joy of full salvation!

Glory, glory, to His Name!

Refrain

Judson W. Van Deventer, 1896:

Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33