Scripture Reading: Luke 1 | Sabbath: December 21, 2024
Memory Verse: Isaiah 42:8
Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 10:30
Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Introduction: Mary is a popular figure in the religion of the Christians. Is her popularity justified? What is her significance in the scriptures?

1. The lineage of Jesus the Saviour is given by Matthew. In this lineage, who is mentioned? Is she given any greater significance than any of the forty fathers of the Messiah? Matthew 1:(1-15), 16.
Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
2. The story of “the birth” is the story of whom? Who was “of the Holy Spirit?” Mary or Jesus? v 18, 20.
Matthew 1:18 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.
Matthew 1:20 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.
3. Wise men traveled from the east to see the new born king. Their purpose is clearly stated by the writer. When they saw the mother and the child, whom did they worship? Who was presented with gifts? Who is the significant character in this story? Matthew 2:(1-10), 11.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
4. The Jews were astonished at Jesus’s teaching and mighty works. In their astonishment, they compared Him to His family members, regular people. They can’t believe that a man that comes from such a family would speak as a prophet. Who is mentioned among these regular people? What was special about her? Matthew 13:53-58.
Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
Matthew 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Matthew 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
5. When a victim needs power, they call the police. When a citizen wants action, they call the politician. He who does not have the power to do, should call he who does have the power to do. Whom did Mary call? Did she have the power to do? John 2:(1-11), 1-5.
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
John 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6. At the age of twelve, what amazing knowledge did Jesus display? What human weakness did Mary display?
Luke 2:(41-49), 41, 42, 46, 47, Luke 2:(8-18), 19, Luke 1:(26-28), 29.
Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
7. What is Mary’s significance in the gospel story? Luke 1:30, 31.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
8. After Gabriel delivers God’s message (Mary’s assignment) to the virgin, how does she respond? In accepting the assignment, what is the significance of the word “handmaid?” v 38.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
9. How did Elizabeth proclaim Mary’s significance? Or did she? What is the difference between the words among and above? v 39-42.
Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luke 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
10. And now, a few of Mary’s words: Whom did she magnify? Did she admit that she needed a Saviour as we all do? v 46, 47.
Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
11. While she magnifies her Lord, God, and Saviour, does she claim any significance of herself? Low estate compared to whom? v 48-55.
Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luke 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luke 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luke 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke 1:54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luke 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
12. And once again, what is Mary’s significance? Luke 1:26-31.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

Conclusion: As bible students, we know the object of our worship is Jesus and His Father. There are many other characters in the scriptures that are significant for their acts and their writings. But Mary’s only significance is that she was the earthly virgin mother of the Messiah.