"Look! Jehovah's Slave Girl!"

 

MARY looked up, wide-eyed, as the visitor entered her home.  He did not ask for her father or her mother.  He was there to see her!  He could could be from Nazareth; of that she was sure.  In a small town like hers, stranger stood out. This one would stand out anywhere.  He addressed Mary in a way that was altogether new to her, saying:  "Good day, highly favored one, Jehovah is with you."- Read LUKE 1:26-28.

Thus the Bible introduces us to Mary, daughter of Heli, of the town of Nazareth  in Galilee.  We meet her at a crossroads, in a sense.  She was engaed to marry the carpenter Joseph who was,  not a man of wealth, but a man of faith. So her course may have seemed to lie neatly mapped out before her-a simple life of working supportively as the wife of Joseph, raising a family together with him.  Suddenly, though, she found herself faced with this visitor who brought her an assignment from her God, a responsibility that would change her life. 

Many are surprised to learn that the Bible does not tell us much about Mary. It says little of her background, less of her personality, and nothing at all of her appearance, yet, what God's Word does say about her is revealing indeed.

In order to get acquainted with Mary, we need to look beyond many preconceptions about her that are promoted in various religions. So let us ignore the countless "likenesses" executed in paint, marble or plaster.  Let us ignore too, the complex theology and dogma that bestow on this humble woman such lofty titles as "Mother of God" and "Queen of  Heaven." Let us focus on what the Bible actually reveals. It gives us priceless insight into her faith and how we can imitate it. 

Next time:"Look! Jehovah's Slave Girl!" - A Visit From an Angel

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