The late reverend Billy Graham said on a variety of occasions, “We evangelical Christians do not give Mary her proper due” which seems to be very true. In fact, I would say that most evangelical Christians today have been brought up to either reject or outright neglect, Mary Θεοτόκος (Mother of God). Is it because Protestants, as I have said before, want to completely distance themselves from Catholicism or anything that has to do with “ancient traditions”? I know that growing up in and around church on a nominal level, Mary was NEVER mentioned accept at Christmas; I mean the wise men got more attention than her. How could that be? After all this woman was specifically chosen by God to give birth to the Savior and creator of the universe. Of course there are many legends about Mary that have sort of crept their way into the church like the immaculate conception, (that Mary was born without sin) but things like that are easily dealt with. But I want to give reverence where it is justly do, and hopefully set the record straight with certain folks that do not honor Mary as they should.
In all four gospel accounts, Jesus says that there was no greater prophet or man that lived than John the Baptist. Well, I would say there is no greater woman that lived than, Mary. Both Gabriel and Elizabeth confessed to Mary, “Blessed are you among women.” Why is that? Again, Mary conceived, carried, nurtured and gave birth to God in flesh. In early church history (which we have nearly severed ourselves from) Mary was viewed as the first to receive Christ as Savior, and we are called to follow Mary’s example in doing so. The image I used in this blog is an image of Mary that is at the center of an Orthodox church behind the altar. I know that immediately many people are repulsed at such a thing, how could a church ever place Mary as the central figure and not Christ. But this is one of the greatest forms of evangelism I have ever seen. Think about this for a second, in the heart of Mary you have the Christ living as Lord in Mary’s life. This is an invitation to both you, me and everyone else to let Jesus Christ reign as Lord and Savior in our lives—it’s not about worshipping Mary. This icon should be emblazoned in our minds forever, that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and the very core of who we are. Mary should also be a model for us when we discuss obedience to God. In Luke 1:35 we read, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy One who is to be born will be called Son of God.” Mary had a decision to make, and ultimately, she was obedient. Her response was beautiful, “Let it be to me according to your word.” Think about this for just a minute, Mary was not married. This was a life and death matter. Of course, many will say, I would have done the same thing as Marry, really! Maybe that’s because we live in a society where getting pregnant out of wedlock is common practice with no social ramifications. However, in the ancient world, if you were pregnant outside of wedlock you would certainly be ostracized and frowned upon by everyone. But this matter was worse for Mary, because she was already married. No, her and Joseph had not gone through the ceremonies, but they were betrothed which was the same thing aside from the two of them consummating the marriage. In other words, for Mary to be found impregnated with someone else’s child was a potential death sentence. Now is when the hair on some people’s backs get raised because they misconstrue language. There are two issues I wish to briefly address here. First, why do Catholics and those of Orthodoxy pray to Mary? This is actually quite easy to answer and resolve. When Catholics and those of Orthodoxy pray to someone like Mary, they’re not doing it because she can answer their prayers. Think about it this way. When you ask someone to pray for you, what are you doing? You’re asking them to intercede on your behalf to God through prayer. That is exactly what Orthodox believers are doing! I would rather have Mary pray for someone else than me pray for them, because she is in the presence of God and with Him. Secondly, at the end of an Eastern Orthodox service, the officiant says, “O holy Mother of God save us”. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard people say, Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox Church believe Mary can save them. Apparently, Paul thought he could save people too. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? (I Cor. 7:16) …to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (I Cor. 9:22) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (I Tim. 4:16). Peter, James and Jude all say the same thing, so is it reasonable to pray, Mary save us. Now do these people use “save us” in a salvific sense, of course not—that is in Christ alone. But their prayers, help and teachings can lead us to Christ and contribute to leading people to salvation. So what am I getting at? Some Christian’s recoil at the Mother of God--particularly today. Cults like Mormonism think God had sexual relations with Mary. Other world religions such as Islam think Mary is so highly venerated that she is part of the triunity of God in Christianity. But nothing could be further from the truth. Catholics, the Orthodox Church and Protestants all recognize that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit alone receive our worship and praise, but Mary is to be highly honored. In the Magnificat, Mary says, “All generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48). Who do you know today that calls Mary blessed? All generations of church history have venerated Mary up until the past 150 years. From the beginning of Church worship, hymns said, “It is truly right to bless you” and “ever blessed and most pure”. As I have grown in the knowledge truth and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have come to appreciate and honor some of the great traditions of the Church that seem to be all but lost in our society. Maybe this aspect of honoring Mary has been lost in part due to a society that by and large doesn’t show respect and honor others. One need not even look closely at our society to notice the lack of respect and honor given to even someone such as our President; when 1 Peter 2:17 says we are to honor the king or leader regardless of who it may be. If we are to do something as simple as that for a leader and cannot execute, how can we give any honor to God, Jesus, the Saints or Mary the Mother of God. So lets not just relegate Mary to the Christmas story as a side note, rather lets give her the honor she is due.
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