What does the Bible say about the virgin Mary? | GotQuestions.org



Today’s question is, “What does the Bible say about the virgin Mary?” In this video I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. Mary the mother of Jesus was described by God as “highly favored” (Luke 1:28).

The phrase highly favored comes from a single Greek word, which essentially means “much grace.” Mary received God’s grace. Grace is “unmerited favor”; that is, grace is a blessing we receive despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mary needed grace from God and a Savior, just as the rest of us do.

Mary herself understood this fact, as she declared in Luke 1:47, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The virgin Mary, by God’s grace, recognized that she needed the Savior. The Bible never says that Mary was anyone but an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way.

Yes, Mary was a righteous woman and favored (graced) by God. At the same time, Mary was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone. The virgin Mary did not have an “immaculate conception.” The Bible doesn’t suggest Mary’s birth was anything but a normal human birth.

Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, but she was not a virgin permanently. The idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary is unbiblical. Matthew 1:25, speaking of Joseph, declares, “But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”

The word until clearly indicates that Joseph and Mary did have normal sexual relations after Jesus was born. Mary remained a virgin until the Savior’s birth, but later Joseph and Mary had several children together. Jesus had four half-brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. Jesus also had half-sisters, although they are not named or numbered.

God blessed and graced Mary by giving her several children, which in that culture was accepted as the clearest indication of God’s blessing on a woman. One time when Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd proclaimed, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed” (Luke 11:27).

There was never a better opportunity for Jesus to declare that Mary was indeed worthy of praise and adoration. What was Jesus’ response? “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28).

To Jesus, obedience to God’s Word was more important than being the woman who gave birth to the Savior. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus or anyone else direct any praise, glory, or adoration toward Mary. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, praised Mary in Luke 1:42–44, but her praise is based

On the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah. It was not based on any inherent glory in Mary. In fact, after this Mary spoke a song of praise to the Lord, extoling His mindfulness to those of humble state and His mercy and faithfulness.

Many believe that Mary was one of Luke’s sources for the writing of his Gospel. Luke records the angel Gabriel visiting Mary and telling her that she would give birth to a son who would be the Savior. Mary was unsure how this could be since she was a virgin.

When Gabriel told her that the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit, Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. . . . May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her” (Luke 1:38). Mary responded with belief and a willingness to submit to God’s plan.

We, too, should have such faith in God and trustingly follow Him. In describing the events of Jesus’ birth and the response of those who heard the shepherds’ message about Jesus, Luke writes, “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

When Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple, Simeon recognized that Jesus was the Savior and gave God praise. Joseph and Mary marveled at what Simeon had said. Simeon also told Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many

In Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Another time at the temple, when Jesus was twelve, Mary was upset that Jesus had remained behind when His parents had left for Nazareth.

They were distressed in looking for Him. When they found Him, still in the temple, He said He must be in His Father’s house. Jesus returned to Nazareth with His earthly parents and submitted to them. We are told, again, that Mary “treasured up all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51).

Raising Jesus must have been a perplexing endeavor yet also filled with precious moments, perhaps memories that became more poignant as Mary came to more fully understand who Jesus is. We, too, can treasure in our hearts the knowledge of God and the memories of His activity in our lives.

It was Mary who requested Jesus’ intervention at the wedding of Cana, where He performed His first miracle and turned water into wine. Even though Jesus seemingly rebuffed her at first, Mary instructed the servants to do what He told them. She had faith in Him. Later in Jesus’ public ministry, His family grew concerned.

Mark 3:20–21 records, “The crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.'” When His family arrived, Jesus proclaimed that it is those who do the will of God who

Are His family. Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him prior to the crucifixion, but at least two of them did afterward—James and Jude (or Judas), the authors of the New Testament books bearing their names. Mary did seem to believe in Jesus throughout His life.

She was present at the cross when Jesus died, no doubt feeling the “sword” that Simeon had prophesied would pierce her soul. It was there at the cross that Jesus asked John to serve as Mary’s son, and John took Mary into his home. Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

However, Mary is never mentioned again after Acts chapter 1. The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there.

As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration. The Bible nowhere indicates that Mary can hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. Jesus is our only advocate and mediator in heaven.

If offered worship, adoration, or prayers, Mary would say the same as the angels: “Worship God!” Mary herself sets the example for us, directing her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has

Been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name” (Luke 1:46–49). Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions.org for more great content.

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Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ important? | What does the Resurrection Mean?



Today’s Question is: “Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?” In this video I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Afterwards, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. The resurrection of Jesus is important for several reasons. First, the resurrection witnesses to the immense power of God Himself.

To believe in the resurrection is to believe in God. If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, then He has power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not worthy of our faith and worship.

Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting and gain the victory over the grave. In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is also important because it validates who Jesus claimed to be, namely, the Son of God and Messiah. According to Jesus, His resurrection was the “sign from heaven” that authenticated His ministry, Matthew 16:1–4, and the proof that He had authority over even the temple in Jerusalem (John 2:18–22).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, attested to by hundreds of eyewitnesses, provides irrefutable proof that He is the Savior of the world. Another reason the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important is that it proves His sinless character and divine nature. The Scriptures said God’s “Holy One” would never see corruption in Psalm 16:10,

And Jesus never saw corruption, even after He died. It was on the basis of the resurrection of Christ that Paul preached, “Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin” Acts 13:38–39.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only the supreme validation of His deity; it also validates the Old Testament prophecies that foretold of Jesus’ suffering and resurrection. Christ’s resurrection also authenticated His own claims that He would be raised on the third day.

If Jesus Christ is not resurrected, then we have no hope that we will be, either. In fact, apart from Christ’s resurrection, we have no Savior, no salvation, and no hope of eternal life. As Paul said, our faith would be “useless,” the gospel would be altogether powerless, and our sins would remain unforgiven.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” in John 11:25, and in that statement claimed to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, no eternal life. Jesus does more than give life; He is life, and that’s why death has no power over Him.

Jesus confers His life on those who trust in Him, so that we can share His triumph over death. We who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, we have overcome death. It is impossible for death to win.

Jesus is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” 1 Corinthians 15:20. In other words, Jesus led the way in life after death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is important as a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is a basic tenet of the Christian faith.

Unlike other religions, Christianity possesses a Founder who transcends death and promises that His followers will do the same. Every other religion was founded by men or prophets whose end was the grave. As Christians, we know that God became man, died for our sins, and was resurrected the third day.

The grave could not hold Him. He lives, and He sits today at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Word of God guarantees the believer’s resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ for His church at the rapture.

Such assurance results in a great song of triumph as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”. The importance of the resurrection of Christ has an impact on our service to the Lord now.

Paul ends his discourse on resurrection with these words: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Because we know we will be resurrected to new life, we can endure persecution and danger for Christ’s sake, just as our Lord did. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, thousands of Christian martyrs through history have willingly traded their earthly lives for everlasting life and the promise of resurrection.

The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures. And He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, and those who are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies.

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but

Will be resurrected unto eternal life. Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions.org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there is one book I recommend, along with several related articles.

If you’d like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you’re interested in Bite-sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it’s linked right here. Now remember, Got questions? The Bible has answers, and we’ll help you find them!

#Resurrection #Jesus #Christ #important #Resurrection