Join us in the first of a series of articles by guest author Jesse Flowers on “Godly Women of the Bible.”

In our series on “Godly Women of the Bible,” I can think of no better place to begin than with Mary the mother of Jesus. Have you ever considered, “why Mary?” I mean of all the women throughout time, why Mary? Why did the heavenly Father choose her to have the incredible honor of giving birth to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world?

To be honest, I don’t know why. At least I don’t fully know the answer. I believe Scripture gives us some indication. But I do know this, that God in His perfect foreknowledge and wisdom knew that this young woman would be the perfect choice to conceive, give birth to, and raise His Son.

So what specific things make Mary the mother of Jesus a godly woman of the Bible?

1.  She was a virgin. That the mother of Christ would be a virgin was in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 7:14; cf. Matt. 1:23). God sent forth the angel Gabriel “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” (Luke 1:26-27). That Mary was a virgin speaks directly to her sexual purity. She kept herself pure before God, and saved herself for her husband to be, Joseph. Like Mary, young women today must also “abstain from sexual immorality, that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust” (I Thess. 4:3-5).

2.  She found favor with God. “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women…Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28, 30). There is not one ungodly person spoken of in the Bible that ever found favor with God. Only godly, righteous individuals find favor with God. And heaven’s representative declares that Mary was “highly favored”! We too would do well to live our lives in such a way that also find favor with our God.

3.  She was humble. After the angel Gabriel revealed God’s miraculous plans for her, and specifically His Son that she would give birth to, she humbly submitted her will to God’s. “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Do you think of yourself as a “maidservant of the Lord”? Are you willing to surrender your will to God’s Will even when you may not fully understand? Like the Son she would give birth to, be a humble, obedient servant to your Father’s will (Phil. 2:5-8).

4.  She offered up great praise to God. Please read Luke 1:46-55 and be impressed even more by the godly character that Mary possessed. In brief, she speaks of God as her Savior, His might, holiness, and mercy. And the fact that God has kept His promise to our fathers, “to Abraham and to his seed forever” (Luke 1:55: cf. Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:16). How often does our “soul magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46)? How much of our prayers, songs, and conversations with others are filled with praise to God? “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

5.  She demonstrated wisdom. After the visit and message of the shepherds following Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-18), we read that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). After finding their lost son in the temple, they like others present were amazed at His understanding and answers (Luke 2:41-48). Jesus then spoke to His parents saying, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). We then see that once again Mary “kept all these things in her heart” (v. 51). That Mary weighed and pondered these various amazing events and words in her heart tells us that she was a wise woman of God. She paid very close attention to everything said and done pertaining to her son Jesus. Like Mary, do you demonstrate wisdom in your life (Prov. 2:6-7; 3:13; 4:7; 19:8)? Ponder the life and teachings of Christ, and you too will “gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

6.  She was a devoted mother. From His birth, to His childhood, to His earthly ministry, and finally at His death – Mary was a devoted mother. When the apostles of Christ forsook Him and fled, we find faithful Mary at the foot of His cross. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother” (John 19:25). And before He died, Jesus made sure that His godly, devoted mother was taken care of by John (19:26-27). The pain and anguish that she felt must have been great. When the Child Jesus was presented to the LORD at the temple, Simeon said to Mary, “a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). She gave birth and raised a Son like no other before or since, thus her grief was like no other mother before or since. Be resolved to be a devoted mother to your children (Titus 2:4), diligently instruct your children in the Holy Scriptures which will make them “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).

7.  She was a disciple of the Lord. Not only was Mary the mother of Jesus, but she also became a follower of Jesus. John 7:5 reveals to us that “even His brothers did not believe in Him.” But never does the New Testament indicate or even hint at Mary not believing in Jesus. The last mention of Mary by name in the Bible is found in Acts 1:14. “These (the apostles, see v. 13) all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Shortly after Christ’s glorious ascension and shortly before the incredible events of Pentecost, we find “Mary the mother of Jesus” counted among about 120 disciples (v. 15). Like Mary, we too must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

What an absolutely amazing woman! No wonder she was highly favored in the sight of God. There are so many needed and powerful spiritual lessons that every Christian woman can apply to their lives as we ponder in our hearts, Mary the mother of Jesus.

Jesse Flowers has been preaching for the church of Christ at Pruett and Lobit Street in Baytown, Texas for the past 7 1/2 years. He is married to his beautiful wife, April (Melton), and they have four sweet children, Jesse, Josiah, Anna and Clara. If interested, you can read more of his articles or listen to his sermons at www.biblework.com.