One woman who certainly fits that description is Mary, the mother of Jesus. She, too, is paid a flattering compliment when Elizabeth, her cousin, calls her “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42). This is not an endorsement to worship Mary, to elevate her to a position that people in her own generation did not place her. But neither is it a prohibition to neglect studying her at all or to pretend she is not mentioned alongside other great women of the Bible. We should want to know what it is that makes Mary so blessed.

She was chosen to deliver the Deliverer. God had already brought forth a nation from the womb of a barren woman, Sarah. Isaiah prophesied that He would also bring forth a Son from the womb of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). Because Mary kept herself pure and had not given in to sexual temptation even once, she was a fit candidate to fulfill the promise. Her innocence is further seen in her words spoken to the angel after learning of the task God had chosen for her. “Behold the bond slave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).Who knows what plans the Lord has in mind for your life? When you make righteous decisions, you place yourself in a better position to be used. Not only that, you will be more equipped to serve when the time comes. Mary was chosen for a special purpose. But she was chosen because she had made up her mind to make good choices. Be it done to me and you.

She was a good mother to a perfect Son. Can you imagine being separated from your child for three days, not knowing their whereabouts? That’s how long it took for Joseph and Mary to find their twelve-year old Jesus when He stayed behind in Jerusalem. Upon finding him in the temple, it was His mother who said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your Father and I have been anxiously looking for You” (Luke 2:48). While she did not understand Jesus’ response that He had to be about His Father’s business, she still “treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). These were the memories that brought her great joy and pride as a mother.

Children have a way of reminding us what is most important in life. They are not attracted to the same things that distract adults. They could care less about money, fame, or power. What they seek is much more simple, much more valuable. Mary may not have understood everything about her Son. She did, however, seem to understand that she had a special One. Oh, that every parent would treasure their own children this way.

She watched her Firstborn bear His cross. The virgin birth was not the only prophecy in which Mary took part. When she and Joseph presented their baby Boy in the temple, the prophet Simeon spoke of things that the Child would do and have done to Him. And he said to Mary, “a sword will pierce even your own soul” (Luke 2:35). Such was the case when the soldiers pierced the hands and feet of her Son. Judas betrayed Him. Peter denied Him. “They all left Him and fled” (Mark 14:50). But among those “standing by the cross of Jesus” (John 19:25) was His mother. She was faithful to Him until death, even the death of a cross.

Quitting is easy. It requires no courage, no conviction. It allows you to shut your eyes to something that you would rather not see. But when the events of life turn against you, you don’t turn away from the Lord. You draw closer to Him. Real faith says, “I may not understand why this is happening, but I believe God can cause something good to come out of it.” Mary was rewarded three days later. How long are you willing to wait?

Indeed, Mary was “blessed among women.” But she need not be the only one. After listening to Him teach on one occasion, a woman in the crowd shouted to Jesus, “‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.’ But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it’” (Luke 11:27-28). Let such be the calling of every woman and every man who follows the Son.