Read: Exodus 16:1 – 19:25

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

Relate: I often hear an idol spoken of somewhere along the lines of anything that a person places of greater importance in their heart, time, or treasure than God. So if paying my internet bill is of greater importance than paying my tithe then my internet is an idol. If having time to watch my favorite show (currently, Arrow) is of greater importance than having time for my devotions then TV is an idol. This said, there is a fine line between holding Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the very high regard she deserves and in her becoming an idol. If we hold her in higher regard in our heart than we do Jesus than she is an idol.

Unfortunately, a series of false doctrines have sprung up over the years that would make it easier to cross that line. One is her perpetual virginity. Jesus had siblings. Mary had other children we meet them multiple times in the Bible and all of them would have been conceived quite naturally. Jesus is the only virgin birth. A second false doctrine is the immaculate conception. It wasn’t until the 1850’s when this heresy was made official (by the same pope who later made official the false doctrine of papal infallibility). Even more recent than that, in the 1950’s the doctrine of the assumption of Mary was declared. So now Mary supposedly was born without sinful nature, lived a completely virginal life (typical men thinking this might make some poor woman more holy), and ascended up to heaven just like Jesus did.

React: Interestingly enough, in all of scripture, Mary only once gives a command. That command is, “Whatever he [Jesus] says, do it.” So if we want to honor Mary, we would recognize that Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that there is no other way to approach God except through Him. If we want to obey Mary then we would pray only to Jesus (John 14:14) or the Father (Matthew 6:9). If we want to respect Mary, then we would seek to hear and obey everything Jesus commanded us. That was, after all, her one command.

Respond: 

God, I am so grateful that You sent Your Son to live among us. I am grateful that You were willing to come. That You lived and died among us. For this sacred task You chose Mary, among all women, to carry and raise Your child. Help me to respect and honor that unique, sacred trust You have placed in her without falling into idolatry. You alone are God and I pray that You alone would hold primary place in our hearts.