Mary Was There
When we think of Mary the mother of Jesus, our minds go back to the Incarnation, the birth of Christ. Her response to the angel who came to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of our Lord was “… Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:38
We are inspired by her courage, faith and servant’s heart.
But the story of Mary doesn’t end at Christ’s birth.
When the shepherds came to worship Christ and to share what the angels had said to them, Mary “… kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19
When Jesus was 12, the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus took this opportunity to go to the temple and have a discussion with the religious leaders.
Mary and Joseph realized He was gone, searched for Him, and found Him in the temple.
“So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:48-49
Jesus was no ordinary child!
Next, we find Mary at a wedding feast:
“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it. ”
John 2:3-5
Mary knew that Jesus would take care of the problem, and He did. Hint: water into wine.
Later, she and her other children came to see Jesus.
“Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.”
Mark 3:31
Was she trying to get Him to go home with them? It’s unclear.
Fast forward to the cross.
Mary was there, watching her firstborn Son die.
How her heart must have ached!
Even though He was suffering, Jesus took the time to make sure His mother was taken care of.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
John 19:25-27
Mary went to live with John.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the disciples, including John. Scripture doesn’t record Mary seeing her Son, but that doesn’t mean He didn’t appear to her. I imagine John brought her the wondrous news.
Perhaps she, along with Jesus’ brothers, finally, fully grasped that Jesus was really the Son of God.
Mary was in the upper room, praying with the other followers.
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
Acts 1:14
I wish I knew more about what Mary did for the rest of her life. What role did she play in the early church? We don’t really know, but we do know that she was there!
Like the disciples, she longed for the day when she would see her Son again, and by faith believed she would.
Her “step son” John wrote: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20
Happy Mother’s Day!
