Our Saviour Himself, although re vealing great compassion for His earthly mother, did not exalt her in this fashion. Mary was so wonderfully blessed because she was morally pure (vs. 34). Many young women have unfortunately forgotten the high premium Cod places on purity. What an important lesson there is for youth even in this day of loose morals. Mary was submissive to the Lord which was another reason for her finding favor with Cod. She possessed great faith (vs. 45). Oh, that others might see our faith and determination to please only the Saviour. Such a life always receives the blessing and challenge of God when we follow a pathway of ded ication. Mary magnified the glory and grace of God (vs. 46). The source of her joy was Cod her Sav- ious (vs. 47). Here we see that Mary calls her own Son her Saviour. The humility of the virgin is in direct contradiction to the unscriptural exaltation of her by certain relig ious bodies and organizations. She made no claim to the uniqueness of sinlessness. Yes, the message of this name, Mary, carries tremendous truths for our own day and circumstances. "M" stands for the fact that she magnified the Lord. "A" represents the truth that she accepted Gabri el's announcement by faith. "R" tells us that she rejoiced in the Lord. "Y" is a remembrance of her yieldedness to all of the purposes Cod had for her life. A tremendous person was the virgin Mary. She is not to be prayed to, but one who definitely was a woman among women whom God chose to be come the mother of our blessed Lord. Mary was not a supernatural Page 43
had purposed in her heart to serve Cod in every aspect of her being. She herself also needed to receive the Saviour, even as you and I need Him today. She was only human, and as such had to have the Re deemer cleanse her heart, making her fit for eternal life in heaven. In Luke 1:39 we find the account about the visit to her cousin Eliza beth. This followed the conception of the Lord. After the angel had told Mary that her relative was ex pecting a child she hurried to the town in the hills of Judah for an extended visit. The news was excit ing to contemplate and she wanted to share her experience with a spir itual woman. The two spent three months together (vs. 56). As Mary entered the house an unusual in cident occurred. The unborn baby leaped with joy in her womb at the salutation (vs. 41). Elizabeth was also filled with the Holy Spirit. Her inspired words were an ode of praise to the virgin. This, inciden tally, is the first song of the New Testament (vs. 42-45). Unfortunately, Mary has been the recipient of both too much and al so too little honor in respect to her being used of God as the human channel for the coming into the world of the Saviour. The word "blessed" in connection with Mary shows that she was the chosen ves sel of divine favor. Only one Jewish woman in the entire ages of time could have been the virgin. Yet we must be careful that we do not exalt her above a rightful scriptural position. It is interesting to note that the last view we have of her in the Bible shows that she is pray ing rather than being prayed to! There is a great difference here. Furthermore, no one is shown in Scripture as having prayed to Mary.
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