Final Thoughts on Luke 1:28-35, 38
And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him,she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. . . .Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. NKJV
Mary is the most revered mother in history—sadly even to the point of being worshipped by the Roman Catholic Church, which teaches that Mary was born without sin (compare with Lk. 2:22-24; Rom. 3:10, 23) and is an intercessor between God and man (compare with I Tim. 2:5). But in spite of the heresy of Catholicism, there is no doubt that Mary was a godly mother. Gabriel refers to her as a highly favored one and tells her that the Lord is with her (v.28). Using Mary as an example, let us consider three characteristics of a godly mother.
First, a godly mother produces godly children. The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is blessed (v.28) and the same can be said of all godly mothers. God plainly states that children are a reward and an inheritance from Him (Psa. 127:3-5). Sadly children are not always viewed as a blessing. Biblical training (Prov. 22:6, 29:17) is often neglected and, as a result, children come to be viewed as a curse instead of a blessing (Prov. 10:1; 17:21, 25; 19:13).
Second, godly mothers are a blessing to their entire families. Gabriel told Mary that she was blessed among women (v. 28) and this blessing extended to her entire family—and ultimately to the entire world in the Lord Jesus Christ (vs.29-33). Timothy was taught the scriptures from a young age and, as a result, trusted Christ as His Savior because of the godly influence of his mother, Eunice, and her mother, Lois (II Tim. 1:5, 3:15). Proverbs 31 declares of the virtuous mother that her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also and he praises her (v.28).
Third, godly mothers are obedient to the will of the Lord. Mary replied, “Let it be according to your word,” despite the probable shame of being labeled an adulterous (v.38). She wanted God’s will for her life, no matter what the cost. God declares in Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” The only thing that is worthwhile in a woman is the same as the only thing that is worthwhile in anyone’s life—everything else is worthless (Eccl. 1:2, 14; 2:10-11, 17-23; 4:16; 5:10; 6:7-9; 7:15; 8:10, 14; 9:9; 11:8-10; 12:8). What is the only thing in life that is truly worthwhile? Fearing God and keeping His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). A godly mother fears God and keeps His commandments. A godly father also fears God and keeps His commandments: and together they raise godlychildren who fear God and keep His commandments.
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 