Mary: How did Jesus view His mother?
There’s nothing in the Bible that tells us she was ever addressed with some of the titles certain religious circles have given her. That includes such titles as “Blessed Mother,” My Lady of Mercy,” “Ever Virgin,” or “Queen of Heaven.” Our Lord simply addressed her as “woman.”
John 2:4
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. [Emphasis added]
This is what He called her in the early days of His earthly ministry as well in the later days of it.
John 19:26
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! [Emphasis added]
Is this then not how we should speak of her? Wasn’t our Lord setting a good example for us in this, too? Like all of us, she, too, needed a Savior. The virgin born sinless Child grew up to become the sinless man who went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins by His death.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
He was then miraculously resurrected as a demonstration of the resurrection life He gives to every believer.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
Our Lord was always very careful not to allow anyone to misrepresent the role of His mother, Mary. We have a clear example of that in the time of His earthly ministry.
Luke 11:27-28
27 And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
Instead of agreeing with her, note what our Lord says about her comment. Her statement reflects all the pagan goddess worship of those times that was accompanied by fornication. It is no wonder that they had so many “converts” to such a form of “worship.”
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep [PHULASSO = keep or guard] it. [Emphasis added]
Nothing ever changes on this; those who know and apply the word of God are the primary objects of God’s blessing for time and eternity. We’d all do well to always keep that in mind. Our Lord’s attention was always on the spiritual and the eternal, rather than the material and the temporary. Jesus never designated Mary to any special position whatsoever. There are other examples of this in Scripture. Here’s one of the best ones—
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. [Emphasis added]
Clearly, He’s pointing out the greater importance of our relationship with fellow believers who are responsive to God’s Word over our relationship with others, even our earthly family. Is this how it is with most people? Aren’t most people closest to their earthly family? But notice what our Lord is telling us about this. Such is never the case for truly spiritually mature believers. Our closest relationships should be with those who love our Lord and His word as we do. This incident that clearly teaches this is so important that it is taught in not just this one passage, but in two others—Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:10-21.
Believers of every generation need to realize that Mary is not superhuman or a goddess worthy of anyone’s worship. While her body was used to give birth to God the Son, our Savior, the Bible never gives us ANY indication at all that God gave her a superior position to every other believer. No believer is to ever pray to Mary. No believer is to ever ask her to pray for them. And most important of all, she’s to never be treated as an object of worship. There’s no biblical authorization for any of this anywhere in the 66 books of the Bible. Any devotion expressed toward Mary serves to take away from our worship of the one who is our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
