Mary Needed a Savior Just Like Everyone Else

Jesus honored His mother when He spoke instruction to her and to John from the cross about taking care of one another. He says in John 19:26-27, “‘Woman, behold thy son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.'” While we rightly honor Mary for her godliness and her unique role as the mother of Jesus, it’s crucial to understand that she was a human being in need of salvation just like you and me. At the cross, Mary wasn’t just losing a son—she was gaining a Savior. As a young girl, Mary herself had declared, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” recognizing her own need for redemption. Now, standing at the cross, she was witnessing the payment for her own sins through the death of her beloved Son. The Bible is clear in First Timothy 2:5 that “there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” We’re never taught in Scripture to pray to Mary or through Mary. She is not a co-mediator or co-redemptress with Christ. Mary should be honored as mothers are honored, but never worshipped or exalted above what Scripture teaches. She was “great among women” as the angel said, not “above all women.” After the resurrection, Mary would be among the believers gathered in the upper room waiting for the Holy Spirit, but she was among them, not above them. This truth is liberating because it reminds us that salvation is available to everyone on the same terms—through faith in Jesus Christ alone. No human being, no matter how godly or favored, stands between us and God. We all come to the cross on level ground, in need of the same grace.