What a Glorious Day!
“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.†~ John 19:25-27 (ESV)
All weekend long, Mary, mother of Jesus, came to mind. What a strong woman she was. We don’t know too much about her except her faith. She never questioned God; she only obeyed Him…
Can you imagine seeing your son (or daughter) get beaten until you can’t even recognize him or her. Standing by but can’t do anything to stop it?
I remember when our son was 16 months old. He enjoyed jumping on his bed. I kept telling him to stop it—I didn’t want him to get hurt. One day, he did get hurt. He hit his chin on the bed frame; blood immediately was gushing all over the place. If you ever had your child hit the lip, you know how hard it is to stop the flow. I was a basket-case. I was stunned at first that it really happened, but than I started to panic. I needed the bleeding to stop.
So when Mary saw how her son was tortured, it must have ripped her heart apart. Did she really believe deep down in her heart, that Jesus would rise after three days? I don’t know. She knew that He was the Son of God, but I don’t think that she knew that He would have to suffer like this…
What really struck me this past weekend is that Mary wasn’t even at His burial. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus (John 19:38-42). Everything had to be done fast, because the next day was Sabbath. They couldn’t even get together to mourn the loss of her son. Just thinking about it makes my heart heavy.
Her heart must have leaped almost out of her body when she saw Jesus again. What glorious day it must have been for her…Even though Jesus prophesied that He would rise after three days, I think that Mary could not wrap her mind around that thought. She had to see it with her own eyes.
Although we have not seen it with our own eyes, God gave us His Spirit to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. What glorious day for us all. He is Risen, sweet sisters, He is Risen Indeed!
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for dying on the cross for all our sins. Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to guide us until we see You face-to-face. In Your precious name we pray ~ Amen.
Blessings on your day and as always…
Mary was on my mind all weekend too! As a mother, I just can’t even imagine crowds shouting “Crucify” about my son but then to see him beaten. {{{shudder}}}}
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings~
This was very beautiful Iris, thanks for sharing.
No, I can not imagine. For some reason, I’m thinking of moms you see on the news, whose sons have died in Iraq. They are so sad, but so proud of their boys- for going, for giving their lives for their country…
I’m so glad it didn’t end at the tomb!
I am not a mother but for Mary has always had a special place in my heart. In the movie, The Passion Of The Christ, there is a scene that reaches for my heart and gives it a good tug. The scene is when Jesus is just a little boy, He falls down and He begins to cry, Mary looks up with a look of panic and concern and runs to Him, to comfort Him. That is when it hit me, How much she loved Jesus, He was her son, she held Him as a baby, she carried Him inside her and when He died for us, she watched in agony, I am sure, but with a love so great for God, that she did nothing to stop this in obedience to His will. Thank you Iris, for writing about Mary with such eloquence. God bless you and yours…
Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing Iris.
God bless
WOW, Iris, I haven’t thought about how Mary must have felt for a long time. Thank you for this insight.
Blessings to you.
From the beginning Mary knew he was special, just his birth proved that to her. I think as Jesus grew (and this is just my thinking) and Mary raised him, Jesus turned from being her son to being her Savior (even before his death). We see the conflict of this change when Jesus turned water into wine at the Wedding. He told her to hush, “it was not my time”. Mary knew he was different. I believe she knew he was only granted to her for a small time and that she bore a son that was never really hers. I am sure she could see this difference with her other sons (possible daughters).
Does that mean she did not have the feelings a Mother would have, NO. But I think she new it was different. I think she could cling to the fact of her pregnancy and believe what he said. Believe that he would come back as he preached.
This is just my thoughts, with no scripture basis =)
Your right Iris, she experienced pain and suffering watching what her son endured!
It was prophesied to her by Simeon in Luke 2 that her soul would be pierced, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also”, this was for her son’s suffering. She knew ahead through the words of the prophets, also Isaiah gives clear accounts of what was to come, but Just as a mom is told that her child has a debilitating disease, they may read as much info on the fact, but to walk through it with your child…nothing can pre-pare you for that kind of heartache..except to receive the promises and peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Mathew Henry expounds beautifully on Luke’s account of Simeons prophesy to Mary. The passage is interesting because first, Simeon gives glory to Almighty Father, he then speaks directly to Jesus’ parents, and then turns and speaks specifically to Mary for what she will endure. God is so gracious and considerate!!
Blessings Iris and sorry I was so lengthy.. 🙂
Laurie
I had some very similar thoughts this weekend. We went to a new church on Good Friday and they played 40 minutes of the Passion of the Christ and I remember thinking how Mary must have felt. It was gut wrenching and must have been thousand more times for Mary. How very awesome her faith was. I often wonder how many people would have that type faith if someone was to crucify their child. I know God can give us a peace that passes all understanding but you are right. It is so hard to wrap the human mind around it all. Great thought provoking post Iris!!
God Bless your week,
Stormii
You’ve written well about Mary (and all mothers who must endure their sons’ suffering. ) This week I was also thinking about all the other poor mothers whose sons were crucified (thousands) and how terrible that must have been for them too. Christ’s prayer from the cross asking His Father to forgive his executioners is “sheer love” as our pastor said yesterday. Our Saviour is nothing like me. :~)
We’re watching “The Nativity Story” this month at our church. That really helps me see what Mary must have endured in order to be obedient to God…and then I think of the song, “Mary, Did You Know?”
Wasn’t it beautiful that, from the cross, Jesus made sure she would be watched over by John??
Great post Iris. Good Friday was a dark day for those close to Jesus.
When I first saw the Passion of the Christ I really realized what it felt like for Mary and I cryed with her when Jesus fell and dropped the cross and she ran to him…..it just broke my heart……I don’t know how she did it….I would not be able to handle it I don’t think!
Great post!
Someone reminded me today of the power behind the resurrection. How Mary must have had her hopes confirmed when she saw her son, Her Savior. I am thankful for the day we just celebrated. If it were not for the truth of the power that God showed raising Jesus from the dead –how would we have hope in the”hopeless” moments of life. He is so good!
We just watched “The Nativity Story” the other day, and Mary has been much on my mind too. She truly lived the idea of having your mourning turned to joy. I agree with you. I don’t think she could possibly have taken in all that this precious Son was and was doing.
Great post Iris.
Wow, Iris….
My heart leaps for all mothers who have lost children, especially young children. They WILL see them again. I hope to witness many of these reunions in heaven.
Wonderful story about Mary. Great commentors also.
Cannot, Cannot, cannot imagine how Mary endured the awful beating and crucifixion of her son/our Lord. How helpless she must have felt. I don’t know how she did it, except by the Holy hand of God that kept her. ONLY His grace is sufficient. Praise God!
Absolutely beautiful thoughts. I am awed by Mary’s strength displayed time and time again in her life.
shalom my friend…i also often think of mary.
thank you for sharing this iris.
your life is a beautiful blessing !