MARY: A SINNER NEEDING A SAVIOR!

JESUS HAD BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Matthew 1:24-25 - Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 

Matthew 13:55-56 - Is not this the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Whence then has this man all these things?

[Note:  Church tradition states that James and Jude wrote the New Testament books named for them.]

THE GREEK TERMS IN CONTEXT!

ἀδελφός - a male sibling; ἀδελφή - a female sibling; μαθητής - disciples.

Matthew 12:46-50 - While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him.  Then one said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.  But He answered and said unto him that told Him, Who is My mother?  And who are My brethren?  And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of My Father Who is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.

[Note:  The words "disciples" and "brethren" (both "brothers" and "sisters") are translations of different Greek words.]

Matthew 28:9-10 - And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.

[Note:  The words "disciples" and "brethren" are translations of different Greek words.]

John 20:16-18 - Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.  Jesus said unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father:  but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.

[Note:  This exchange shows more clearly that the words "brethren" and "disciples" were used interchangeably.  From this reference on, the word "brethren" always applies to fellow believers.]

Acts 1:12-14 - Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both (the eleven remaining disciples) Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary  the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

[Note:  Here, there are three groups:  1) the eleven disciples, soon to be known as apostles; 2) the women, who were also disciples of Jesus, and who had ministered to Him during His earthly ministry (Mk. 15:41; Lk. 8:3); and 3) the Lord's brethren, His family.  From this point on in the New Testament, the Lord's family is not mentioned; all believers were called "brethren" or "disciples."  On the day of Pentecost, there were a total of one hundred twenty disciples gathered together (see Acts 1:15).]    

MARY WAS A VIRGIN CHOSEN BY GOD

TO GIVE BIRTH TO HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.  

SHE DESCRIBED HERSELF AS ONE IN NEED OF A SAVIOR:

Luke 1:46-55 - And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For HE has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:  for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For HE that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is His name.  And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.  For HE has showed strength with His arm; HE has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  HE has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  HE has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich HE has sent empty away.  HE has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as HE spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.

[Note:  In what is known as "The Magnificat" (Latin for "My soul magnifies the Lord,") Mary speaks of God's mercy and His glory repeatedly.]    

REGARDLESS OF WHAT BIBLE VERSION YOU USE, NOWHERE DOES IT STATE THAT MARY IS TO BE WORSHIPPED, NOR DOES IT SAY SHE IS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN.  JESUS, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS TO BE WORSHIPPED AND COUNTED ON TO INTERCEDE FOR THE BELIEVER.  JESUS IS ALSO MARY'S SAVIOR!

THE SONG BY MARK LOWRY SAYS IT ALL:

MARY DID YOU KNOW?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again;
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb. 

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great -  I - AM!