The sacred duty, privilege and divine work of intercession given to all Christian believers come into view, today. While followers of Christ may seek comfort, courage, guidance and support through Mary, the mother of Jesus, atonement, propitiation for sin and salvation remain strictly the peculiar operations of GOD that appear through the person of her son as the promised Messiah, Redeemer and Savior. Mary was at the cross as well as with those in the Upper Room who received the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. In the holy writings, there is no prohibition by Jesus against believers seeking the favor, fellowship and prayers of others who are committed and born again (we say, co-laborers, saints). Prayer to Mary in particular is not specifically condemned, nor are devotions, Mariology, and worship of the Lord’s mother specifically required. The glory, majesty and sovereignty of the GODhead are not diminished, threatened, or made less exalted by believers acknowledging Mary, the martyrs, and other members of the church as the body of Christ, who make special contributions through their life and faith. Mary is exalted because of her humility, not because of her sexual purity, or parenting skills. Similarly, many others are to be held in memorial such as the widow who gave her last two mites, and the woman caught in adultery who was released from the death sentence when no one was fit to “cast the first stone.” Linjo Eveline, who participates with me in THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP (a Public Group on Facebook presently having 19,049 members), posted the following on August 10, 2015 at 12:31pm:
BRETHREN PLEASE I WISH TO KNOW WHTER WE SHOULD ALSO PRAY TO HOLY MARY MOTHER OF CHRIST?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (Luke 1: 46-55, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mary (06/13/2014); The Estate of His Handmaiden (06/14/2014); A Worthy Miracle? (04/07/2014); The Philosophy of Free Will? (04/08/2014); Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014); Miracles and Visitations? (03/03/2014); A Kindness to Mary? (04/21/2013); When GOD Controls? (04/22/2013)
Linjo Eveline, be encouraged! The acknowledgments of Mary as the mother of Jesus are all upon the basis of faith, and not on the basis of sacred law. The holy writings depended on by Protestant believers record no commandment or divine law requiring followers of Jesus to regularly pray to his mother, Mary. Even so, there are a number of precepts, principles, and teachings that encourage believers to appeal to Mary for intercession. Mary serves as a mediator between believers and her son. While some call her the “Mother of GOD,” Mary does not compete against, or appear as a substitute to fill the role of her son or of the Holy Spirit who both intercede with the Father. Mary is understood by many Catholic believers as already having been glorified, justified and perfected (we say, made a Perpetual Virgin) through divine prerogative, and sacred operations of resurrection and ascension. Mary becomes a person whom we honor, respect, venerate, and turn to for support because we know without doubt that she is one eternally joined to Jesus through love, and that the Savior is pleased to grant her favor and faithful service. Mary should be received no less as a prophet/prophetess (we say, spokesperson from GOD) than Miriam the sister to Moses, John the Baptist, or John the Revelator. At the request of his mother (who expressed more confidence in his anointing and readiness to minister at that time than he expressed in himself), Jesus was moved to perform the first sacred event (we say, miracle) of his ministry at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Neither the governor of the feast (we would say, Master of Ceremonies), the father of the bride, the groom, the bride herself, nor any of the household servants spoke directly to Jesus regarding their need for more wine to complete the hospitality, humility and refreshing to their many guests. Please consider the following points from the Bible:
(1.) John 2: 1-5, King James Version (KJV): 1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(2.) John 2: 7-11, KJV: 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
(3.) 1st Timothy 2: 1-5 , KJV: 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(4.) Romans 8: 26-27, KJV: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(5.) James 5: 13-16, KJV: 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
(6.) Romans 16: 1-2, KJV: 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
There is far more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account. (For example (7.) James 5: 19-20, KJV: 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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