I Thought I Knew The Story Of Jesus And Mary – Until I learned This
- Midwest Copywriting
- Dec 24, 2025
- 5 min read
What Nazareth, Mary’s obscurity, and Jesus’ reputation reveal about God’s choices
There’s a version of the story of Jesus and Mary that many of us learned in Sunday School as kids. The nativity scene, the three wise men, the bright star, the manger, and the miracle. The birth of Jesus is told to us as beautiful, gentle, and heartwarming – and it is.
There's no disputing that.
We even spruce up this breathtaking occasion with lights, Christmas carols, feasts, presents, and candles. It's such an easy story to immerse ourselves in and share with others.
But the relationship of Jesus and Mary as it pertains to you and me is so much more profound. Yet I don't ever recall hearing about the "behind-the-scenes" details of the lives of Jesus and Mary before they came into the spotlight.
Maybe I wasn't paying attention –which is a very real possibility.
What I didn’t learn (or don't remember learning) as a child—and what Scripture revealed to me when I took the time to slow down and really read it—is just how unlikely God’s choices were for this life-changing event.
The eye-opening revelations about Jesus and Mary that struck a chord with me include these three lessons that now seem wildly obvious:
Nazareth certainly wasn’t the vacation destination of the elite.
Mary wasn’t chosen because she was a well-known celebrity.
Jesus didn’t come from a prestigious, royal family.
These three missing links in my understanding of Jesus and Mary change everything. And I believe they're important enough to share again – even if you're way ahead in Biblical knowledge than I am.
Let's start by exploring the small village of Nazareth.
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Nazareth: A Town People Expected Nothing From
I never really considered the type of town Nazareth was known for until I began digging into Scripture and studying maps. With a small population, it definitely wasn't a place of influence or importance. It wasn’t known for wealth, luxurious architecture, or religious leadership.
In fact, it had a reputation for being disgraceful, insignificant, and a place you'd probably turn your nose up at if you'd been there. The disdain of Nazareth was so evident that when Philip told Nathanael he had found the Messiah, Nathanael’s response was blunt:
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”— John 1:46 (NIV)
That single question tells us a lot.
Nazareth was overlooked. Shunned. Questioned. Written off.
God could have chosen Jerusalem—the center of worship—but He didn't.
He could have chosen Rome—the seat of power— but He didn't.
I mean, if you were in charge of choosing a venue as the source of this monumental distinction, would Nazareth be your go-to location? Probably not.
Instead, God chose a small, unremarkable town where people didn’t expect greatness. From the very beginning, if we listen closely, God has been showing us a glimmer about how He works. And it's pretty cool how it all unfolds.
Are you starting to sense a deeper meaning behind God's choices?
Keep reading as I share more about the significance of Jesus and Mary.
Mary: Chosen Without Status or Recognition
Mary wasn’t a celebrity. She wasn’t influential. She was a nobody. She held no political office, she didn't have her own clothing line, and she wasn’t even married yet. She was a plain, young woman from Nazareth—poor, ordinary, and easy to overlook, just like the town in which she lived.
And yet, when the angel Gabriel came to her, he didn’t list her qualifications. He simply said:
“Do Not be Afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.”— Luke 1:30 (NIV)
Mary was chosen by God not because of who she was in the world’s eyes, but because of her humility and willingness to trust in Him.
Her response says everything:
“I am the Lord’s servant… May your word to me be fulfilled.”— Luke 1:38 (NIV)
How many of us would so readily surrender to the implausible suggestion of a magical conception?
And yet, God entrusted this miracle of life for our Savior to a woman the rest of us would never have chosen. Mary wasn't a queen. She wasn't a priest’s wife. She wasn't a woman of influence. And to emphasize the magnitude of this unlikely summons, I will repeat: she wasn't married –she was a virgin.
Incredibly and physically impossible, right?
Not for God.
Mary wasn't all those things we would look for on a resume, but she had one qualification that stood out among the rest: a faithful heart that obeyed and said yes.
She reminds us that God isn't interested in perfection. He wants obedience and trust.
If you were in Mary's position, how would you have responded?
Jesus: Judged Before He Was Known
Mary and Joseph left their home in Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem shortly before Jesus was born, at the order of Caesar for tax registration purposes. After His birth, the family made their way back to Nazareth, where Jesus lived until He began His ministry.
Jesus's teachings were no easy task. He carried the Nazarene origins with Him everywhere He went. “Jesus of Nazareth” was not a title of honor—it was a label people used to criticize, scold, and dismiss Him.
Talk about being judged for being from the wrong side of the tracks.
They not only questioned His authority because of being a Nazarene, but also because of Joseph's profession, which wasn't considered prestigious:
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?”— Matthew 13:55 (NIV)
Jesus was underestimated and condemned because He didn’t look the way the people expected a Savior to look. He didn't come from a place they believed the Messiah would come from. He didn't come from a family of importance. He didn't behave like they wanted.
Scripture clearly points this out to us:
“He was despised and rejected by mankind.”— Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
Jesus wasn’t embraced by the elite.
He wasn’t celebrated by those in power.
He wasn't a member of a royal family.
No, Jesus was questioned, doubted, judged, and rejected—long before He was worshiped.
What Does the Story of Jesus and Mary Mean for Us?
God didn’t entrust the greatest miracle in human history to kings or royalty. He didn’t look for impressive resumes, letters of recommendation, or social standing within the community. He didn't choose someone for their riches and fame.
Instead, He chose:
An unprosperous, overlooked town.
A plain, ordinary young woman.
A Savior the world initially dismissed.
Scripture tells us this is not accidental:
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”— 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV)
If God can work through Nazareth, if He can work through Mary, if He can redeem the world through Jesus—who was judged and rejected—then He can certainly work through you.
Your origins and background don't define who you are or disqualify you from the works of God.
Your lack of public recognition does not limit God.
Your feelings of being “ordinary” may be exactly where He begins.
A Reflection for the Heart
Take a moment to consider this:
Where have you believed the lie that God only works through impressive people? Where have you disqualified yourself because you feel unseen, unworthy, unqualified, or insignificant?
God has always done His greatest work through those the world overlooks.
Perhaps the very place you thought disqualified you is the place where God is ready to use you.
A Closing Prayer
Lord, Thank You for reminding us that You are not concerned or impressed by status or power. Thank You for choosing Nazareth, for choosing Mary, and for sending Jesus in humility rather than nobility.
Help us release the belief that we are too small, unworthy, or insignificant to be used by You. Give us hearts that are open, willing, faithful, and obedient—just as Mary’s was.
Use us not because we are great, but because You are faithful.
Amen.
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