Mary - An Example for Believers
Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets a good example for all women. Gabriel came from the presence of God in heaven to the Jewish girl, Mary, in the village of Nazareth.
After receiving the message that she would give birth to the Son of the Most High, Mary accepted the announcement with humility and confidence: “ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said.’ ”
After relating this account to her relative, Elizabeth (the soon-to-be mother of John the Baptist), Luke 1: 46, 47 records the beginning of Mary’s praise to God: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
These two verses give us insight into the reason God chose Mary for this human role in the divine plan.
1. Mary glorified the Lord in her inner being: To “glorify” means to regard highly, to praise, to exalt.
2. Mary’s spirit rejoiced in God her Savior: The young mother knew that God was her Savior and that she needed salvation. Recognizing this need and God’s fulfillment of it, she “rejoiced” which means she was filled with delight and with great joy.
May we as believers also glorify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior.
- Jim Weikal
