This week I've been thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
When Jesus was just a small boy, did she feel the same ballooning of the heart that I do whenever I pick up Alec? Did she wrap her arms around him, like I do Alec, gauging the increasing strength of his return embrace ?
Did she watch with pride as he played with the other boys in the town? Did they have long discussions just before slipping into sleep about everything: games, bugs, trees, food and maybe the way the sky turns violet just before the sun slides past the horizon? Did he tell her what was to come?
I've been thinking of Mary this week as I've comforted my own son, wary of a visit to the doctor, and again when I watched him be led away by the dental hygienist going for a check up. What a big boy, I marveled to myself. So brave and fearless!
Today is Maundy Thursday, and I can't help thinking of Mary, as her beloved son was being led away by the Roman soldiers, beaten and abused and taking it all in grace. Did she marvel at his strength? So brave and fearless!
What thoughts were running through her mind as she watched the trial from a distance? Could she see the governor Pilate wash his hands of her son, knowing he was innocent but afraid to stand against the outcries of his public? Did she cringe to the cries "Crucify Him!" ? How did she bear seeing her precious son walk the long and lonely road to Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull"?
Did she recall the words of Simon who, years before had held the child Jesus in his arms, blessing God and thanking him that his eyes were finally beholding the great salvation of the world, and then speaking sobering words to Mary:
"Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel .... and a sword will pierce your own soul - that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:35-35)
Even in a state of agony and distress that defies our imaginations, Jesus looks down from His suffering and sees her there, his mama, and directs his beloved disciple John to attend to her saying:
"Dear woman, here is your son." (John 19:26)
I can only imagine the suffering on Mary's part, loving her son and unable to attend to him, or of Jesus, loving his mother and unable to hold her!
Thank God that the story does not end there!
"He is alive! He is alive!" Did these words rumble through her mind without end when she heard the news? Did her knees fail her? Did she cry out in joy?
The last we hear of Mary, just after the ascension of Christ into the clouds, she is included in a list of brethren - the very first Christians - in Jerusalem's upper room praying and waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit.
"All these were continually united in prayer, along with the women,
including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers." (Acts 1:14)
It must have been difficult to be the mother of Jesus, but oh, how thankful I am the she opened her arms wide and allow us to take him for ourselves, the lamb of the world sent for us.
Thank you, Jesus, I think as I look to the heavens, again thinking again of Mary, now with her son in His kingdom, the earthly carpenter and heavenly king, building a place for us there.
Stumble It!