Jesus’ mother Mary blessed among women!  I’ve written this article that you may learn more about the mother of Jesus.  I believe we should learn as much as possible so we mayhonor and worship God in a manner that most pleases Him.  This article will be a study of what the Bible teaches about Mary and Jesus and also of the Saints.  In our search for truth, I will make few comments and mainly use Bible Scripture only, rather than traditions or teaching of men.  The Bible teaches God's Word is truth, John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth:thy word is truth." According to the Bible if someone teaches differently, you must believe the Bible because some men are deceivers.  "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Romans 3:4) 

Let's begin our study with the birth of Jesus.  We find it in Matthew 1:18-25 and also in Luke 1:26-35.  We’ll start with Matthew’s account.

18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being

interpreted is, God with us.

24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Notice verse 23 is prophecy fulfilled!  “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)   Did you know Jesus Christ was predestined to be our Savior even before God created this world?  “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1:18-20)

In Luke's narrative we learn a little more.

26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.

31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Both Matthew and Luke declare Mary was a virgin and engaged to a man named Joseph.  The angel tells her that God is with her, and she is highly favored and blessed.   The Power of God would come over her and she would bear a son.  His name was to beJesus and He would be called "The Son of God". 

Mary, encouraged Him to do His first public miracle, it’s found in John 2:1-11:

1  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2  And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3  And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5  His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10  And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11  Thisbeginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

A VIRGIN FOREVER?

Marriage and having children is part of God’s plan for women, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:28-30)  I don't wish to offend anyone, but I would like to point out that the Scriptures never say Mary was to remain a virgin.  Look at Matthew 1:25, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."  After Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary had normal marriage relations which produced several children.  Matthew 13:55-56, "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And his sisters are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?"  And Paul wrote, "But other of the apostles saw I none, saveJamestheLord's brother."  (Galatians 1:19)  Somehow people have the notion that sex is sinful or dirty.  Notice what the writer of Hebrews affirms, "Marriage ishonorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)  Of course sexual relations are sinful outside of marriage. God created two genders to come together in love for pleasure and child bearing.  "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:27-28)  Back in Luke 1:28 it says Mary is blessed, children are a blessing from God, "And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will alsobless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee." (Deuteronomy 7:13)   Jesus taught, "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh." (Mark 10:6-8)

WORSHIP MARY?

Many have been taught that since Mary was the mother of Jesus, that she was sinless.   This  teaching is only atradition of men, we read in Romans 3:23 "Forall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" and in Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed  upon all men, for  thatall have sinned:"   Only one person was truly  sinless, Jesus Christ,  again I use God's Word for proof,  2 Corinthians 5:19-21.

19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did

beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21  For he hath made him to be sin for us,who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Can Mary be an intercessor for us?  No, the Bible plainly tells us, it is Jesus Christ that intercedes for us.  "For there is one God, andone mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)  The Old Testament has many prophecies of a coming Savior, especially Isaiah chapter 53.  That whole chapter deals with men's sins and wickedness, their rejection of the Messiah and His suffering and death for our justification.  I would encourage you to read it from your own Bible, paying attention particularly to the last verse. "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and madeintercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12)

Mary must have been a wonderful mother, nurturing and teaching Jesus during his childhood.  I'm sure she taught Him many things by her loving kindness.  Although the Bible doesn't say, in all likelihood as Jesus grew older, He helped Joseph in the carpentry shop and perhaps learned some of the aphorisms He later used in His parables.

As wonderful a mother as Mary was, it's clear from the Holy Scriptures that she was human and not a goddess that she sinned as we all have.  No, we must not worship Mary, it would beidolatry and very displeasing to Jesus, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written,Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, andhim only shalt thou serve."(Luke 4:8)

THE SAINTS 

I know its common practice for many people to have good-luck charms, a four leaf clover, lucky rabbit’s foot etc.  For most people these are harmless trinkets; however some people really believe they have magical powers, making them idols.  What about prayers to the saints?  Is there one on your dashboard to protect you when you travel?  Some men teach this is acceptable.  “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)  Truth, not traditions are found in God's Word.  Peter, certainly asaint,denied worship,"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:25-26)  Likewise Paul and Barnabas rejected worship.  Paul healed a man that was a cripple from birth and those who saw it were ready to make a sacrifice to them.  We find it in Acts 14:11-18.

11  And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15  And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto youthat ye should turn from these vanitiesunto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Even with these scriptures some will object saying, "Yes, they rejected worship while they were still alive, but now the saints are watching over us from their heavenly thrones."  Can we find that in our Bible?  No, it cannot be found.  What is found however is that no one except Jesushas gone to heaven.  Read Jesus' own words, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13) 

King David was "A man after God's own heart", but even David is still in the grave, awaiting the resurrection.  (Acts 2:29-35)

29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of thepatriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

For additional proof that the saints are not in heaven, read in your own Bible, the "Faith" chapter, Hebrews 11.  Let me point out the most relevant verses. Verse 13, "These all died in faith,not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  And verses 39-40, "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,received not the promise:God having providedsome better thing for us,that they without us should not be made perfect."

Do you understand?  The promise is no less than theresurrection into God's Kingdom!  With the saint’s dead and still in their graves, of course we shouldn't worship them.  And the "Saint" on your dashboard?  Throw it away, it isidolatry.  "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;" (Exodus 20:3-5)

JESUS CHRIST, OUR ONLY SAVIOR!

At the beginning of this article I emphasized searching for the truth, with our objective to honor and worship God in a manner that most pleases Him.  Again, I will rely on the Bible and not the traditions of men.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  (John 3:16-17)  Now read 1 Peter 1:20, "Who verily wasforeordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,"  Read one more, Philippians 2:7-11:

7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, andwas made in the likeness of men:

8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10  That at the name of Jesusevery knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11  And that every tongue shouldconfess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

These Scriptures teach us that even before creation, Jesus and the Father planned for our salvation.  We see Jesus giving up His Godship to become a human, to suffer and die for man.  We also learn worship to Jesus glorifies the Father.  Unlike the saints, there are many occasions when Jesus accepted worship.  Notice Matthew 9:18-19, "While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, andworshipped him, saying, my daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples."  In Matthew 15:22-28 is another beautiful example.

22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Yes,Jesus is worthy of our worship.  Jesus came down from heaven and lived a human life; He felt hunger and pain as we do.  His muscles and feet became sore after long walks through the desert and mountains.  Jesus had feelings and emotions as we do, He was joyful and at times He became angry, He saw suffering and sorrow and was compassionate.  Jesus loved people, but He hated sin.  In the end, Jesus was arrested, pushed and shoved, spit upon, blindfolded and slapped.  He was scourged and huge spikes were driven through His hands and feet, and finally He was killed with a spear thrust into His side.  “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgethrighteously:” (1 Peter 2:21-23) He faced every temptation but never sinned!

Although Jesus accepted worship, He never demanded it; instead He often directed it towards the Father.  For example, when asked "Lord, teach us to pray", He taught "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."  In Matthew 19:16-17 a young man comes to Him saying, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?There is no one good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." 

And in John 10:27-29:

27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Another example can be found in John 14:28, "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: formy Father is greater than I."  Yes, it is good to worship Jesus, but totruly honor Him, never forget topraise and give reverence to the Father first, and that will glorify Him.

THE NEW COVENANT

It is commonly taught that the New Covenant does away with God’s laws and “Love” replaces the 10 Commandments.  Notice what Jesus told His disciples, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) The Old Covenant failed because the people were “hard hearted and stiff necked.”  The writer of Hebrews explains in chapter 8:

1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, (Jesus Christ) who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: (sacrificial law)

5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8  For finding fault withthem, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (them, not His laws, but the people)

9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Did you see it in verse 10?  He is not going to abolish His laws!  It’s the “Old Covenant” that is being replaced, Hebrews 8:13, “In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”  Hebrews Chapter 9 explains the “old” ordinances, “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.” (Hebrews 9:1-2)

Let’s continue in reading Hebrews 9:11-15.

11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come,by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves,but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The New Covenant comes to us with the promise of the Holy Spirit, faith and God’s grace!  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

SALVATION

The underlying purpose of this article is to help you find salvation.  If you have been deceived and are guilty of false worship, youmust repent. Since you've read this far, maybe I can inspire you to study your Bible.  One of Satan's biggest lies is, "You can't understand the Bible".  Yes, you can, by sincere prayer and obedience.  I'm not saying you can understand everything all at once, God will open your mind and as you put into practice the things you learn, His Holy Spirit will teach you more and more.  Remember, Bible study is a lifetime endeavor, a part of worship.

Your next question might be, "What must I do to be saved?"  Jesus was asked this very question in Matthew 19:16-17, "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."  When asked which commandments, Jesus went on to quote some of the Ten Commandments.  Yes, you must keep God's Laws.  This is not "Legalism" as is sometimes taught; obedience is an act of love toward our Savior.  "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3)  Don't let anyone tell you that Jesus did away with God's laws, they don't know what they're talking about and the Bible says they do not even know Him!  "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4) “Here is the patience of the saints:here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)

I want it to be understood, I'm not teaching "Salvation by Works", we are saved only by God's Grace.  Believe Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Many stop here, we will go on and read verse 10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesusunto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  Do you see now?  Because of our salvation, we should do good works!

BIBLE STUDY

Of course, you should read the whole Bible, but I would suggest you start with the Ten Commandments, Exodus Chapter 20, then the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Then read Romans and Ephesians.  Next read 1 & 2 John and 1& 2 Peter.  Finish up with James and 1 & 2 Timothy.  That will give you a good start.  Now go back and read all of the New Testament and then finish by starting with Genesis and read straight through to Revelation.  This will take a year or so, if you will spend 30 to 45 minutes each day.  Start with prayer asking for God to open your mind and don't forget to thank Him for your blessings.

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