A MOTHER'S GRIEF - A DEEPER LEVEL

She was young, but we don't know her age.  Her name was Mary.  She was Jewish and lived in Nazareth of Galilee. It is apparent that she was not from a wealthy home.  She was a common girl. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph.  We can assume that she had common dreams.  Many girls in her time dreamed of being selected as the mother to the Messiah.  To be the mother of the Messiah would be the greatest thing a young, Jewish girl could aspire to.  Did Mary dream of this?

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David;  and the virgin's name was Mary.  And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you."  

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.  

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary;  for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High;  and the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David;  and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."  (Luke 1:26-33 NASB)

During her pregnancy, due to political manipulations, Joseph is forced to take Mary to Bethlehem for a census.  That is where the boy, Jesus, was born.  God used these government wranglings to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.  Throughout the birth story, we are told that Mary treasured up these things in her heart (Luke 2:19  NIV).  

She is witness to His growing up.  She kisses and coddles Him as an infant and teaches him as He grows.  She continues to treasure the memories of seeing her first-born take His first steps, speak His first words and work beside His father in the carpenter shop!  She has a mother's heart and loves her children! When the question is posed:  "Mary, did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God?"  -  Yes, she knew!  

She is witness to His first miracle;  actually, she instigates His first miracle! She shows up from time-to-time during His years of ministry.  She, more than anyone, has an understanding of who He is and what His purpose is.  

Then, the tragic events unfold and we read the words:  

But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, 

and His mother's sister...  (John 19:25  NASB)

Who can unpack the pathos of these words?  She had seen it all!  She had treasured everything up in her heart (don't all mothers?).  She had cradled Him in her arms.  She had kissed His boo-boos and held His hands as He learned to walk.  She had taught Him manners and curbed His life in the right directions.  She had witnessed His teaching and seen His miracles.  She knew His heart!  She knew how good He was.  She knew how innocent He was! She knew He did not deserve this treatment! She knew the injustice of it all!  

Feel her pain!  Sense her grief!  She was unable to help Him.  If ever a mother felt grief - it was this day!  God had used her womb to form the Son of God! She holds a place of honor forever as the one who bore the Messiah!  

It's remarkable that the scriptures do not include any record of Jesus appearing to His mother after His resurrection.  Was she there on any of the occasions when He showed Himself?  Obviously, she knew of His resurrection!  How must this news have impacted her?  Could it be true? Did she come to understand that her son had become her Savior?  

Someday, if we hold to our faith, we'll be able to sit down with her and listen to her side of the story! We'll be rapt with attention as she unfolds the treasures of her heart!