Why Mary? (Repeat)

Why Mary? (Repeat from December 2005)

Why did God choose Mary to be the mother of Jesus? Most look for something in Mary who is or for something she did. “She was a young Jewish virgin.” “She was holy.” “She was receptive.” And on it goes. Out of all the women who have ever lived, was she the only receptive holy young virgin? Out of all the young unmarried Jewish women in her day, was she the only receptive holy young virgin? Why did God choose Mary? The Bible does not say. The wrong answer has made Mary the object of worship and special adoration.

The birth of Jesus Christ happened as much according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God as his crucifixion. He came in the fullness of time – God’s time – to the right people in the right place. He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of his first advent.

Why did God choose Mary? The Bible does not say. Nevertheless, this we know. The angel announced to Mary, “thou hast found favour with God.” The Greek word for favour is “charis”, which is translated “grace” well over 100 times in the Bible. Mary became the mother of Jesus by GOD’S unmerited favour, his eternal choice, and his unlimited power. It was nothing that Mary did. It was nothing that she was. God extended grace. Oh, how the natural man recoils from this being an unconditional choice on God’s part. However, God did not ask Mary if she, a young unmarried Jewish virgin girl who had never known a man, wanted to be the mother of the Saviour. He chose her. He called her. The Holy Ghost came upon her, she conceived and brought forth a Son and called his name Jesus – “for he shall save his people from their sins.”

How like God’s choice of Mary is his choice to save poor undeserving sinners. It is nothing they do. It is nothing they are. God extends grace. Thank God for his grace!