“…The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy Child…will be called the Son of God” – Luke 1:35 (God’s Word Translation) God favoured Mary to bring forth the Saviour King, Jesus Christ, via miraculous conception (Luke 1:30-35).
When Mary received the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation that she would conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, she was not afraid. She knew her circumstances and the potential fallout of being a virgin and an unwed mother. To complicate things, Mary was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David (Luke 1:27). Thus, being seen pregnant at this stage could result in her being stoned to death, as it would have been perceived by Joseph (and the entire Jewish community) that she was unfaithful as stated in Deuteronomy 22:23-24.
Despite her fears, uncertainties, and questions, Mary trusted God’s will (Luke 1:38). Mary’s journey is not just a historical account but a theological narrative, highlighting God’s plan for salvation and Mary’s role as a vessel of divine grace.
The seed (Genesis 3:15) of the woman, therefore, is interpreted by many Bible scholars as the prophecy of Jesus Christ, who is born of a woman and crushes the head of the serpent through His death, burial, and resurrection, symbolising the final defeat of satan.
Satan hates humanity because we were created in the image and likeness of God. Moreover, that old serpent has a high hatred for women, since God used a woman to bring forth Jesus the Saviour King, Who has brought about the salvation of the lost and the ultimate destruction of his kingdom.
Mothers and maternal figures, in this season, we thank you for your love, sacrifices, and contributions to family and the nation. May God richly bless you.
Read: Psalm 113:9; John 19:26-27
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 60:5-12; John 8:12-30; Judges 18; Judges 19