Question 1: Who was Mary?

Mary was the mother of Jesus. She was an ordinary yet remarkable Jewish woman who was chosen by God Jehovah to give birth to Jesus. The Messiah was to be of the tribe of Judah and of the lineage of David. Mary was a direct descendant of King David. Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of Judah from King David’s line. Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:16, Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:31.

Mary was favored of God.  The LORD was with her.   Luke 1:28

She trusted and surrendered to the will of God even though its fulfillment would threaten her reputation and perhaps her life in the society.   Luke 1:35-38 

She praised God for His blessing on her.  She was familiar with the book of the Prophet Samuel, and she quoted from those writings.  Luke 1:46-55

Mary meditated on and thought deeply about the events overruled by her God. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  “  Luke 1:8-19

Mary had the courage to stand by the cross of Jesus.  John 19:25

She became a devout follower of Christ, and became a partaker of the Pentecostal blessing of the holy spirit.  “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers…”  Acts 1:14, 2:1-4

To summarize: Mary was a natural woman, full of faith and of a fine character. She received the holy spirit and thus became a Christian, a follower of Jesus.

Question 2: Does God specially honor and have a unique relationship with Mary?

No. Nowhere in the Bible are we told that God has a special relationship with Mary. Additionally, believers are never instructed to give special honor to Mary. She is never called the mother of God. Instead, she is called the mother of Jesus (John 2:1). If Jesus is not God, then Mary could not be God's mother, much less God herself.

Unfortunately, after the death of the Apostles, the Christian church began to add man’s ideas to the scriptures and inserted new doctrines. They began to believe it was necessary to worship Mary. Sadly, this is idolatry. The only beings to whom we should pay homage are Jehovah, the Creator of the world, and Jesus Christ, the son of Jehovah. “Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” (Luke 4: 8) “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. That he honors not the Son honors not the Father, which has sent him.” (John 5:23).