Mary | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the EasyEnglish Bible translation.

Notes on Mary

(from Luke 1:26-56)

Annotation Notes, Summary, N/W/L Statements, Key Verse, God's Character, Prayer, Action 

 ​Snow Orchid ​by ​susannp4​ at ​Pixabay​

1. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ? What does the name Mary mean?
1. Loved or Beloved ("Mary" at Behind the Name)
2. *That Love was birthed by someone whose name means love seems purposefully poetic to me.
3. *The Egyptian origin of the name connects with a major purpose of Jesus ministry: to help us realize that God's love is available to everyone, not just the Israelites. Especially because Egypt consistently represents Israel's opposite.
2. *Luke tells us nothing of Mary's lineage. Perhaps to focus us on the story.
3. ? I wonder what a comparison of Zechariah's and Mary's encounters with Gabriel would reveal.
1. ! Gabriel begins his message to Mary the same way he did with Zechariah: Do not fear. (Luke 1:13 & 30)
2. ! Both are told what to name their sons, John and Jesus (Luke 1:13 & 31)
4. ! In the KJV, Luke 1:39 tells us that Mary arose to travel to see Elizabeth. The word "arise" speaks to me of rising to action for God on our part and an empowering or blessing on His.
1. ARISE, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is RISEN upon thee. For, behold!, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall ARISE upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy RISING. Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV
2. Her children ARISE up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28 
3. We shift from advancing our kingdom to advancing God's kingdom when we ARISE and take our place so that God's glory arises over us an through us. (From our exploration of "arise".)
5. * Even though Mary went to visit Elizabeth, the visit focuses on Mary's baby instead of Elizabeth's. Which is exactly where our focus is naturally drawn when we know our Savior! (Luke 1:40-45)
6. ! Mary didn't even have to explain what happened to her. She just said "Hello," and the Spirit moved. This reminds me of a BEMA podcast teaching on Exodus that perhaps the main reason Moses could not see the promised land is because he never learned to lead with his voice. Our voices have power. 
1. "God invites us to believe with all of our heart, soul, and might...a narrative of shalom. It's a narrative that's about self-sacrifice instead of self-preservation. Instead of fear, its a narrative of trust. Instead of a power of force, it's a power of invitation. Instead of coercing, you're inviting people. Instead of a stick, you're using your voice." (From "E30: Lead with Your Voice", BEMA Discipleship Podcast Quote
2. x Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words. Proverbs 18:21 NIRV
3. x The Spirit of Almighty God has made me. His breath gives me life. Job 33:4
7. * A worthwhile exercise would be to rewrite Mary's song to better understand how Mary is feeling (Luke 1:46-56). Another would be to compare it to Hannah's prayer (I Samuel 2:1-10). 
8. * It's strange to me that Mary didn't stay for John's birth. Perhaps she wanted it to be a special moment for Elizabeth and Zechariah alone, or perhaps she needed to return home to focus on her own pregnancy. (Luke 1:56)

2. Summary

Mary was told by Gabriel that she would become pregnant. But she was confused because she had never known a man. Gabriel reassured Mary by telling her of Elizabeth's pregnancy. He told her that her baby would be named Jesus, He would be God's own son, and His rule would have no end. Mary accepted her role, and traveled to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth immediately recognized that Mary's baby was her Savior and celebrated her. Mary sang in response to Elizabeth's confirmation. She sang about God's goodness, that He saved her though she was insignificant. She sang because now all people would know she had been blessed. She sang of God's power, strength, and kindness. She sang because He honors obedience over importance. She sang because He transfers power to the humble and feeds the hungry. She sang because He keeps his promises. Then with the song in her heart, Mary returned home before John was born.

3. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that Mary - like Elizabeth, like Leah, like Hagar - rejoice because they feel seen. I also noticed that Mary responded in faith, while Zechariah responded with doubt.
2. I WONDER is this typically a female issue, to feel like we are not seen, or do men commonly struggle with this too?
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that:
1. He is not going to act in the way we expect Him to act, nor will He choose the people we expect Him to choose.
2. Holy recognizes holy.
3. When we truly realize His goodness, our only response is praise and celebration.

4. Key Verse

For though I'm God's humble servant, God has noticed me. Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations. Luke 1:48 (VOICE)

This verse reminds me that God chose a lowly, obedient child when He chose Mary. It also reminds me that when His face shines upon you, you are forever changed.

5. God's Character

1. God sees us.
1. When Hagar heard what the angel said, she said to herself, "I have seen the God who sees me! So she called the LORD 'The God who sees me.' Genesis 16:13
2. LORD, you look deep inside me, and you know all about me. You know when I sit down, and you know when I get up. Even when you are far away, you understand what I am thinking about. You see me when I go out, and you see me when I stay at home. You know everything that I do! Yes LORD, before I open my mouth to speak, you know what I will say. You are all around me, in front of me and behind me. You put your hand on me to help me. You know so much about me, it is wonderful. I cannot understand it. My thoughts cannot reach as high as that! Psalm 139:1-6 
2. God does not judge as the world judges.
1. But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at how handsome or how tall Eliab is. I have not chosen him. The LORD does not look at people in the way that people do. People look at the face and body of a person. But the LORD sees what they are like inside. I Samuel 16:7 
2. Instead, God chose to use things that people think are silly. He did this so that clever people would be ashamed. Yes, God chose to use things that people think are weak. He did this so that powerful people would be ashamed. I Corinthians 1:27 
3. God is worthy of praise.
1. LORD, you are my God! I will praise you because your name is great. You have done wonderful things. You decided a long time ago what you would do. And you have done exactly what you promised to do. Isaiah 25:1 
2. My people, the ones whom I chose and and created for My own will sing My praise. Isaiah 43:21

6. Pray

Father God, only You know why You choose the people You do to accomplish Your purpose. When I feel forgotten, unseen, and useless, remind me of Mary, of Elizabeth, of Leah, of Hannah, and of Hagar. You are the God who sees, and You see me. I am not hidden from You.

7. Act

1. Sing forth His marvelous works.
2. Rejoice at being seen.

Sample these related posts:

• To understand our 7-step rhythm for Bible study.
• For 2026 Bible study plan suggestions.
• To review Elizabeth's story.
• To review Gabriel's story. 
• To to see obedience in the Christmas story.

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