As scripture tells us, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she was highly favoured because she had been chosen to birth the Messiah. God had the option of picking anyone he wanted so why did her choose Mary? Well, only God fully knows why he did but here are some indicators scripture shows us.
- Mary was a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 tells a prophecy that a virgin would conceive the Messiah (Jesus) and part of the reason why Mary was chosen is because she fit the criteria.
- Both Mary and Joseph came from the line of David. There’s another prophecy in Jeremiah 23:5 that says that Jesus will be from David’s bloodline. Scholars believe the genealogy in Matthew which traces Solomon’s bloodline, belongs to Joseph and the one in Luke which follows Nathan’s bloodline, belongs to Mary. The genealogies show that Solomon and Nathan were sons of David, fulfilling the prophecy.
Other characteristics that may have factored in.
- Mary was a woman of great faith (Luke 1:38) and a woman after God’s heart. Both Mary and Joseph were Godly people whom God trusted to raise Jesus in a Godly manner. Luke 2:41 tells us they went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival each year. They were clearly people who followed God’s commands and Mary’s praise in Luke 1 shows she knows a lot about who God is and what he has done. Her heart was near to God.
- They were both of good character. We see this when Joseph gently and quietly turns Mary away instead of humiliating her after he believed she cheated on him. The Bible describes him as a righteous man (Matthew 1:19).
- Mary believed in Jesus and encouraged him to step into his role and perform miracles (John 2:5). Also, in Acts 1:14 where the disciples and followers of Jesus waited in prayer for the gift he promised them, Mary was counted among them.
