Hall of Faith: Mary, Always Had Faith

No one mentioned in the New Testament is actually listed in the Hall of Faith. However, there are some in the New Testament that definitely deserves to be in the New Testament.

Joseph was betrothed to Mary, whom God chose to bring the Savior into the World

More than anyone would be Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of Jesus. They truly walked in faith and believed when the angel appeared to them.

In the book of Luke, she is described as “a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph…and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he {the angel Gabriel} said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.” {Luke 1:26-28}

The first thing we learn about Mary is that she was highly favored by the Lord. Well, in retrospect that would make sense since she has been chosen to bear the Christ child. {but she did not know that yet}

Mary spoke a praise to God

So, we learn that Mary is a virgin betrothed {or engaged} to a man named Joseph. Historians believe that she was very young {12-14 years old}, but no age is given for her in the Bible.

Luke 1:29 says that she “cast in her mind what salutation this might be.” So, she was trying to figure out why the angel greeted her in such a manner.

Luke goes on to say that Gabriel says, “Fear not, for thou has found favor with God. Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, bring forth a son and call his name Jesus.” {verses 30-33}

Can you imagine the shock at first an angel appearing to you and then the angel declaring you will have a son? I know that it would take me a while to get my mind around this.

Joseph took Mary to be his wife

But, instead of wondering if she is hallucinating, she believes the angel and says “be it unto me according to thy word.” {Luke 1:38} That statement right there shows her faith. She believed the angel and had faith.

Mary then witnesses a miracle first hand when she visits with her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who is ripe with age. {Luke 1:39-45}

Mary then praises the Lord and says “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” {Luke 1:46-55}

So, “Mary brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.” {Luke 2:7}

Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem, where the Savior would be born

Mary cherished those memories when Jesus was born and the angels and shepherds visited. We are told that she “Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.” {Luke 2:19-20} Later, when they were in the temple we are told that she “marveled at the things which were spoken concerning him.” {Luke 2:33-35}

But that’s not the only time she cherished the moment. When Jesus was 12 and disappeared at the temple, we’re told that as they returned to Nazareth, “but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” {Luke 2:51}

We don’t know what Mary or Jesus life was like before he began his full time ministry. However, one can imagine the miracles and signs Mary must have witnessed her son perform even before he began his earthly ministry. When she wants him to turn the water

Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus

into wine at the wedding of Canaan, she tells the servants “whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” {John 2:5} Mary has complete faith that Jesus can perform this miracle and the servants should do whatever they are told to do without question. Isn’t that the full definition of faith? To seek God, trust Him and do what He says with belief it will happen and not questioning what we are told?

Mary was with her son to the very end. Just as Simeon predicted that “a sword shall pierce thine own soul” {Luke 2:33-35}, she was there to witness the crucifixion of her son. But, event hen Jesus did not forget her, but gave her over to the care of the “disciple, whom he loved”. {John 19:25-26}

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene were two of the women at the crucifixion

Mary is not specifically mentioned in the accounts after Jesus rose from the grave, but given his care for her on the cross, it seems likely that at some point she saw her son risen from the grave.

The last mention we have of Mary says, “these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.” {Acts 1:14} Even after her son had risen and ascended to the right hand of God the father, she continued to pray, have faith and believe.

1. Mary believed the impossible

2. Mary trusted the promise of God

Mary never stopped praying or believing. Her life all leads back to Jesus.

1. God knew Mary’s heart and her faithful attitude

2. Mary praised God

3. Mary experienced a miracle in the birth of Jesus

4. Mary witnessed many miracles

5. Mary believed in the power of her son

6. Mary was never forgotten by her son

7. Mary never ceased praying

More than anyone in the New Testament, Mary seems to deserve to be mentioned in the Hall of Faith. She believed the impossible, witnessed miracles she never imagined, cherished all she saw with her son and never ceased praying and believing. Mary truly had faith.

*Pictures from FreeBibleImages.org