Perhaps one of the most unexpected people listed in the genealogy of Jesus was none other than Mary, the mother of Jesus. Most scholars agree that Mary was a young teenager when her life changed forever, and she gave birth to Jesus. Mary was very young and had no status or high ranking. She was an ordinary girl who honored God by the way she lived her life. As a result, God saw fit for her to be not just in the genealogy of Jesus but also Jesus' very own mother.
As Jesus' genealogy comes to an end, Mary's name is mentioned. Matthew writes in Matthew 1, “Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary” (verse 16). He then continues, “Mary gave birth to Jesus” (verse 16).
We read about Mary’s story in Luke 1. She was engaged to Joseph, who was “a descendant of King David” (verse 27). Suddenly, the angel Gabriel “appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (verse 27). Indeed, she was favored, and the Lord was with her. He continued telling her, "You have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (verses 30-31). Mary found favor with God by the way she lived her life. He was pleased with her. As a teenage female, she may have been overlooked by most, but God saw her and chose her out of everyone to give birth to the Savior of the world.
Do you feel overlooked? Do you feel forgotten? May you remember Mary, a young girl whom the rest of society certainly overlooked. God saw her, and He sees you. You are not forgotten. He has great plans for your life. Will you trust Him today?
Think about the people you know today who might feel overlooked or forgotten. This can be your coworker who is often ignored, your neighbor who lives alone and does not have any family nearby, or someone else who you know feels lonely and forgotten. Show them kindness today by simply sending them a text or giving them a phone call reminding them that they are seen and loved.
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
