Like a woman’s face covered in a veil, revealing only her eyes to convey her emotions, Mary represents mystery. We are left to imagine and contemplate on her appearance, her bond with Joseph, her role as Jesus’ mother, her experience of widowhood, and her passing away. Nevertheless, the glimpses we receive act as portals into her existence, illustrating a vivid image of a woman of depth with a profound faith anchored in the God of Truth. She existed for and alongside the Timeless Truth that surpasses time and space.
Outside of the Christmas season, how frequently do we reflect on or hear sermons regarding Mary, the mother of Jesus? How can we ascertain that Mary embraced the God of Truth and His absolute truth? Her song, referred to as the “Magnificat” in Luke 1, unveils significant insights about this.
Grounded in ancient tradition, Mary’s life was firmly rooted in the “timeless truth” of the Hebrew Scriptures (Torah), and she was part of a community eagerly anticipating Israel’s redemption. Her song, the Magnificat, refers to numerous verses from the Old Testament, highlighting her deep understanding and foundation in Scripture. This song is rich in the legacy of Jewish women, resonating with the words and narratives of Miriam, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Naomi, and Esther. Each of these women placed their trust in God and His Word, the Timeless Truth. 📜
- Mary reflects the timeless truth that Miriam sang after triumph over adversaries reveals who God is – Exo 15:2&3. “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”
- Mary reminds us of the timeless truth that Rahab acknowledged, asserting that God and His truth are universal and apply to everyone. Joshua 2:9-11 “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us… for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” 🌍
- Mary exemplifies the enduring truth of courage, leadership, and decisive action as seen in Deborah. Judges 5:5: “The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel. v 31: So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” With God, you can confront any challenges. ⚔️
- Mary reflects the timeless truth that Hannah experienced God’s Sovereignty in making the impossible a reality. If God can transform a barren woman into a mother, He can also enable a virgin to give birth to the Son of God. I Samuel 2: 2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”
- Mary illustrates the timeless truth of Naomi, who, despite losing everything, found that the Lord prepared a redeemer who turned her ‘marah – bitterness’ into joy – blessing. Ruth 4:14: The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.” For a hopeless humanity, Redeemer Jesus is given to save His people from their sins.
- Mary signifies the timeless truth of willing surrender and sacrifice as demonstrated by Esther for God’s plan – Esther 3:14: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” v 15: “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” It is worthwhile to bear the cost with faith, obedience, and a readiness to accept God’s plan, despite the personal and social risks involved. 👑
Mary was profoundly familiar with the Timeless Truth as:
- Absolute: unchangeable
- Universal: transcending space
- Eternal: beyond time
- Knowable: revealed by God Himself
- Personal: not abstract or ideological, but the Word became flesh who dwelt among us
- Communicable: passed down from generations to generations. 🔥
John MacArthur defines Truth as “the self-expression of God.”
The Old Testament refers to the Almighty as the “God of Truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 31:5, Isaiah 65:16). In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims, “I am… the truth” (John 14:6).
When we analyse Mary’s song and her entire existence, we can perceive her as a revolutionary, firmly adhering to The Truth. Her song emphasises three revolutions—moral, social, and economic (Luke 1: verses 51, 52, and 53).
The socio-economic and political ramifications of her song are so extreme that its lyrics were banned in a few countries in recent times. For example, during British colonial rule in India, the Magnificat was forbidden in churches. Likewise, during Argentina’s “Dirty War,” military authorities prohibited public displays of the song. They considered Mary’s message of hope too perilous for public discussion. 🚫
What does Mary convey to us, the 21st-century women of substance?
Mary lived with and for the Timeless truth that cannot be diminished or eroded.
⮚ Unlike the popular view that truth is relative, her commitment to absolute, unchanging truth contrasts sharply with a culture that often sees truth as personal or situational. She highlights the importance of objective values and principles.
⮚ Her life inspires people to seek and hold onto truth that goes beyond personal views or societal trends. She shows that it is possible to live honestly and meaningfully, grounded in values that remain constant over time.
⮚ Mary understood God’s faithfulness to the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Her focus was on God’s promise of salvation.
⮚ For Mary, living in alignment with truth meant following God’s will and purpose. Her acceptance of the angel’s message and her role in the Incarnation shows her strong trust in divine truth.
⮚ Mary’s life is a model of moral integrity. Living by the Truth involves making decisions that reflect one’s values, even when facing societal pressures or personal difficulties.
⮚ Her willingness to accept her role as Jesus’ mother, despite the risk of misunderstanding and hardship, shows her devotion to a greater truth.
⮚ Mary faced many challenges, from Jesus’ birth to witnessing his crucifixion. Her strong determination in the face of hardship shows how a deep connection to an unchanging truth reveals her strength, endurance, and clarity during difficult times. 💪
⮚ Mary’s journey serves as a guide for people to stand for justice and equality, showing the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths about social injustices.
⮚ In a time of increasing secularism and many different beliefs, Mary’s dedication to divine truth can speak to those searching for spiritual stability.
⮚ Her life encourages people to explore their faith deeply and sincerely, helping them find a sense of purpose and connection in a world that is divided.
Mary was Jesus’s first and most devoted disciple, who witnessed Jesus’ arrival as the Son of Man and His departure as the Son of God—a woman of depth who lived in accordance with the Timeless Truth. You and I too can live like Mary as a woman of substance in this 21st Century. 🌿
