Stephen’s sermon title harks back to a 1970s comedy series featuring accident-prone Frank Spencer and his tolerant wife, Betty. In the case of Mary, however, she was a mother who really did have a special child!
What set Mary apart, making her God’s choice to be the Saviour of the world? We cannot know for certain, but what the Bible does reveal about her shows us several important facts:
- Her betrothal to Joseph meant that she was marrying into the line of David, and the promised Messiah would come from that house.
- She was a virgin, thus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah (Is 7:14). The conception of Jesus truly was unique, a case of the Word becoming flesh (see John 1:1-14) and in this way ‘Immanuel’, God with us, came to live on earth. All mothers think their children are special, but Jesus definitely was! Fully God and fully Man, He was born to be the Saviour of the world.
- Although young, Mary already had a close walk with God and her attitude of submission to God (see Luke 1:26-38) was key to her role as the mother of Jesus. She remained faithful to God all her life and was faithful to her Son in every aspect of His life and death. Her attitude (‘I am the Lord’s servant. May Your word to me be fulfilled’) exemplifies how each one of us should live. Her submission and obedience to God are characteristics to which we should all aspire.
- In experiencing the ‘overshadowing’ of the Holy Spirit, Mary knew closeness with God. We too can experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with us. He is the key to accessing the presence of God. Like Mary, we can know the presence of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of the Father as we learn to serve our God with the same willingness and acceptance which Mary showed.