I started writing this post because I want to comment on the spiritual maturity of Mary. I saw it referenced as noteworthy in my research on her age. But, I felt like it merited its own post.
I am not a mariologist. As a protestant, I lean toward an understanding of mankind that discourages me from venerating anyone who is merely human. But, I do think that her spiritual maturity is interesting and worth discussing.
Mary’s Spiritual Maturity
Mary was young by any measure when she received the announcement that God would send the Messiah through her. I think she was most likely 12 to 13. It is rare to find someone claiming an age outside of her early teens. So, the depiction of Mary’s faith and obedience in these passages seems remarkable.
‘And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.’ Luke 1:30-38 ESV
I’ve already written my views on the internal Biblical evidence for the virgin birth. I don’t want to rehash that here, except to point out that Gabriel announced not one, but two impossible pregnancies in this passage.
Mary’s reaction demonstrates that she was not a naive child. She understood pregnancy. She would have known the stigmas and consequences in her culture for sexual promiscuity, pregnancy outside of wedlock, etc. Nevertheless, she surrendered and accepted the angel’s message.
Zechariah was a priest of advanced years who walked blamelessly in the sight of God. Contrast the interaction between Mary and Gabriel above with the response that Zechariah gave to the news of Elizabeth’s impending pregnancy:
‘And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”’ Luke 1:18-20 ESV
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
Mary demonstrated faith in what Gabriel told her. She submitted without delay or argument to the will of God. This kind of behavior indicates advanced spiritual maturity, based on her age.
But, there are some other reasons why Bible scholars tend to ascribe spiritual maturity to her. Many have analyzed her song of praise, in Luke 1:46-55. This passage is called the Magnificat for the same reason that we call Matthew 5:2-12 the beatitudes. In Latin, the passage begins with the phrase “Magnificat anima mea Dominum“.
‘And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”’ Luke 1:46-55 ESV
This passage of scripture is especially dense and rich. It contains many references to the Hebrew scriptures, echoes of the Psalms, and thematic alignments with the prophets. For Mary’s response to include these elements is another example of her spiritual maturity.
Would that my own prayers were as richly and seamlessly interwoven with scripture!
The magnificat also echoes 1 Samuel 2:1-10 as Hannah gave thanks in very similar circumstances. In fact, you’d have to work pretty hard to miss the way that Jehovah went out of his way in the Hebrew scriptures to prove he could make miraculous pregnancies happen. It’s enough to make one wonder why.
Faith Like a Child
Mary demonstrated spiritual maturity when chosen by God as the mother of Jesus. I think that is supported by the evidence, and I stand by that position. However, I do think it is worth noting that Mary’s youth could have actually helped her in accepting her role.
Any parent can tell you that toddlers are hardwired toward wonder. They ask “why?” with endless abandon. They accept every new miracle that is explained and demonstrated to them: light switches, cell phones, bugs, trees, rocks. Nothing is mundane for them. There is no faith like a child has.
But, as we grow into adulthood the willing wonder of youth is often lost. We regain it only in glimpses through the eyes of our children. Mary’s youth may have helped her to accept the impossibility which was presented to her.
It feels like just about every Sunday, I am reminding my 4th and 5th graders that Jesus taught his adult followers that the kingdom of God can only be entered when it is received like a child. This teaching from Luke aligns with other statements he made in Matthew 18:2-6 and Mark 10:13-16.
‘Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”’ Luke 18:15-17 ESV
The different responses between Zechariah and Mary could serve to underscore this teaching. A priest who lived a full, rich life in obedience to the scriptures could not see how God could make his elderly wife pregnant. But, a young virgin of no particular education or experience took it on face value that she would conceive and believed.
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