In the Fullness of Time – The Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary is an important figure in the nativity story, with only the Lord Himself being more central. Stephen March continues the series.

Central Figures of the Nativity

Welcome back to “The Fullness of Time”, a look into the central figures of the nativity, and how each of them plays a vital role in showing us that the time indeed was right for the birth of God’s son.  In our first episode we looked at Joseph, and how he was important in the fulfillment of prophesy, particularly Joseph’s obedience in going where God sent him.   

Mary’s Prominence in the Nativity Story

In this episode, we’ll turn our attention toward Mary.  After Jesus, she is the most prominent figure in the nativity story, and for good reason.  Perhaps one of the most mysterious aspects of Jesus’s birth, was the virgin birth.  Which of course, happened through Mary.  Now, there two important prophesies that this fills.  One of them comes from Isaiah chapter 7.  There we read in verse 14,

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This was a very interesting prophesy, because it had in some ways a double fulfillment.  For the Jews of Jesus day, many of them believed this prophesy was fulfilled in Isaiah’s time, we can read about it in Isaiah chapter 8. When Isaiah has a son with a woman, who it is assumed was a virgin when the original prophesy was made.  It was the sign to King Ahaz, that the other things Isaiah had told him would surely come to pass. 

The Holy Spirit’s Role

However, in Matthew’s gospel, the writer makes it very clear in chapter 1 verse 22, that the baby Mary conceived was from the Holy Spirit, and that is what makes it the true fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy.  Matthew even adds for clarity the significance of the name Immanuel, which means God with us.

Both Matthew and Luke, make a point of identifying that Mary had become pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was the Son of God, and as such, could not have an earthly, or biological, father.  However, the Bible also teaches that Jesus was fully human, a condition which he took upon himself, as Philippians 2:7 tells us.  The human nature of Christ was absolutely necessary, for him to be able to offer himself up as a greater sacrifice for the sin of mankind.  Prior to Jesus dying on the cross, the Jews could have their sins covered, though not removed, through the sacrifice of a perfect animal.  By Jesus being born of Mary, and the Holy Spirit, his perfect deity was preserved, in an entirely human body. 

Adam & Jesus

In Romans 5:12, Paul compares the differences between the first man, Adam, and Jesus.  The comparison looks mainly at what they brought to mankind.  He writes

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through son, and so death spread to all men because all have sinned.”,

he says again in verse 17,

“For, if because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

Because Mary was a virgin, the child she carried could have only been placed there through a divine, supernatural work.  By Mary remaining a virgin until after the birth of Jesus, it took away even the opportunity to suggest the baby was tainted by the sin of man, which would have been passed down by an earthly father.  Because Jesus’ divine purity was maintained, He was able, and only him, to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once for all.

Gabriel’s Visit

Now there are other things we can look at in Mary that don’t necessarily fulfill any prophesies, but are nevertheless important.  First, Mary was visited by the angel, Gabriel, who told her all of what was to happen to her concerning the birth of Jesus.  The announcement was odd, Mary even having to ask how it would be possible for her to be with child, since she was a virgin.  Still, her response at the end of the passage is a beautiful summation of her character, she says, in Luke 1:38

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” 

Mary’s faithfulness to the promise of who this child would be is incredible.  We’re told throughout the adoration of the Baby Jesus, how Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Her devotion to God, led to her devotion to Jesus.  It isn’t surprising to see that Mary is present throughout Jesus’s entire earthly life.  Obviously she is there at his birth, but also throughout His ministry, at His death John’s gospel says that Mary was there, after His resurrection, it is very likely that she was even present at His ascension, and if she wasn’t, she was with the apostles who were immediately after it.

Mary’s Devotion

Now it can be hard for us to imagine Mary teaching Jesus anything beyond human growth milestones, which the Lord willingly subjected himself to.  But while Mary could not teach him things like devotion to God, her dedication would still have been a joy to Jesus.  Psalm 147:11

“the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” 

Mary’s attitude toward God the Father, and Jesus, would have been a constant source of delight in the dark world He came to save.

Do you think the birth of Christ is still an important part of Christmas today? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.