As we just finished the last Sunday of Advent and get ready
to plunge into Christmas, there is no getting away from the holiday music on
the radio(some of which was playing since Thanksgiving). While we have traditional and secular songs abound,
the occasional religious one will appear.
One that is particular striking is “Mary did you know?” where in the version
I most recently heard Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd sung speculations of what Mary
may have or may not have known about the child Jesus.
While I’m tempted to write off the entire song as
speculative theology which discounts the human nature of Jesus. Which makes the “No crying he
makes” line from Away in the Manger theologically inaccurate. I would like to delve into what Mary actually
did know and how this knowledge might have affected her.
If we start for the stance that Mary is a mortal woman, she
can only know things based on what she is told and can perceive with her
senses, just like you and me.
Infancy narrative in Luke
In the gospel of Luke we have the infancy narrative of the Annunciation
by the angel Gabriel. Beside explaining
to her that she is favored by God what does the angel tell her about her soon
to be conceived child?
And behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the
Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign
over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke
1: 31-33
The angel answered and said to her, “The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow
you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke
1:35
From this we see that Mary knows some things about the
divinity of Jesus:
-
He will be great
-
He will be called the
Son of the Most High
- The Lord God will give
Him the throne of His father David
-
He will reign over the
house of Jacob forever
-
His kingdom will have no
end
- The holy Child shall be
called the Son of God
That is a lot of information and it is not clear how much Mary
understood since the Angel did not elaborate on the details of all of these
things, even though she willingly accepted the will of God.
Mary Encounters Elizabeth
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 And she cried out
with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is
the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me Luke
1:41-43
Mary knows that the child causes others to be filled with
the Holy Spirit and Elizabeth recognizes the child as Lord.
Mary and the Shepherds
But the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all
the people; 11 for
today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord. Luke 2:10-11
When they had seen this, they made known
the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it
wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all
these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19
From the shepherds Mary
learns:
- Jesus is Savior
-
Jesus is Christ the Lord
Presentation of Jesus
29 “Now Lord, You are releasing
Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen
Your salvation,
31 Which You have
prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A Light of revelation to
the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father
and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed
them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the
fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce
even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:29-35
Mary realizes in amazement :
-
Jesus will be a revelation to the Gentiles
-
The rise and fall of Israel
-
A revealer of hearts
-
Her own heart will be
pierced
Finding in the Temple at Jerusalem
And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had
to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which
He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them
and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured
all these things in her heart. Luke 2:49-51
We see that Mary had an understanding based
on what she was told by the angels, shepherds and prophets but not of the
specifics. Even during the first miracle
at the wedding at Cana, she doesn’t come out and say “I know who you are, can
you miraculously make wine” she merely told the servants to do whatever he tells
you.
So when Kenny Rogers asks “Mary, did
you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?” and “Mary, did you
know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?” The answer has a
mixed, yes she knew he was the destined to be the savior of the world,
but did not know the specific path that would take or the road to Jerusalem
that he would follow to give us all that salvation.
Yes she did know that her Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb and the
sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.