One of the reasons I believe in Jesus as Lord, Creator and King is because of the testimony of His mother, Mary. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the relationship that the Lord and Mary shared- how a mother could provide unconditional love and life to the child Who provides unconditional love and life to everyone, including His own mother; how she could look upon Him through a mother’s eyes, and He could look upon her through both a Son’s and a Father’s eyes.
But let’s take a walk together through the Gospels to see what the Spirit has revealed and preserved for us to know about this remarkable and blessed among women. It starts with a heavenly visit from Gabriel when she was a young teen and betrothed to a good man. This virgin was chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world. Understandably, she didn’t know how this could be, but Gabriel explains and she accepts:
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38 ESV).
Her attitude was one of submission. Unlike 6 months earlier when this same angel, Gabriel, appeared to Zechariah and announced that he and his aged wife Elizabeth would conceive and bear a son, John. Zechariah doubted, even though he was a good man. And while Mary was receiving her message from the angel who stands in the presence of God in heaven, Zechariah was mute because of his unbelief.
Then a series of events happened to impress upon Mary that her Son was someone special, not the least of which was the pregnancy and birth though she never knew a man. She is visited by shepherds, wise men, Simeon and Anna. All were glorifying and worshipping her infant son.
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19 ESV).
And how can we forget the instance when Jesus was 12 years old. Staying behind in Jerusalem during a family trip and impressing the most learned among the experts in the Law. And as any mother would be, Mary panicked, realizing that she had lost God’s Son who was entrusted to her. And when she made the trip back and found Him, His response was that she should have known He’d be about His Father’s business. She didn’t quite understand, but Luke 2:51 said that Mary treasured all these things up in her heart.
And then God gives her privacy to enjoy her Son before Jesus is given to the world. From age 12 until 30, we know nothing of His family life until this mother pushes things along. By now, Jesus has been baptized and is preparing for His work. But at a wedding feast in Cana, they run out of wine. Mary tells Jesus.
“And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4 ESV).
Don’t you love this? Jesus, God’s Son- the Creator of everything and the Judge of all, says, “It is not My time.” But never-the-less, the King of Kings submits to His mother’s request. Only Mary, His mother, had this influence over the promised Messiah. This speaks volumes to the relationship that these two shared.
And for three years, she sees her son become greater, witnesses His power and hears His proclamations about who He is. And yet, I wonder if the words of Simeon haunted her when Jesus had been taken up in his arms as an infant and he said,
“(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35 ESV).
And this is the testimony of Mary that convinces me that her Son was who He claimed to be. As a mother, she was heartbroken as she witnessed her oldest Son scourged and crucified. Yet she never once said that He wasn’t who He claimed to be in an attempt to save His life. She never once said that He was mistaken or denied Him to save His life. Mary remained silent, knowing who her Son was and that He was suffering and dying because He was exactly who He claimed to be.
I believe in Jesus as the Messiah in part because His mother loved Him, provided for Him, remained with Him, learned from Him, and when the time came, let Him go because she knew who He was. She remained silent, never once doing anything that could possibly save Him by denying Him.
Wanted: Person willing to work non-standard hours and to be on call 24/7. Must have thick skin and be willing to produce in an environment where you can thrive being under a microscope. Must be organized enough to schedule large projects but flexible enough to drop everything and work night and day when called upon at a moment’s notice. Must not be concerned about getting the credit and be comfortable in an environment where blame is thrown at you from many directions. Must train others, guard those in your charge from dangers, and fight to keep them safe. When those in your charge become lost, it will fall on you to drop everything to find them. While there is no salary for this position, the retirement plan is second to none. Seeking only serious candidates, please.
Position Title: Local Church Elder
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV).
So, earlier today something happened that caused me to snap and lose my temper. Later, I began to wonder how I would feel if every time I did something that angered God, He responded to me the same way.
It reminded me just how imperfect I am, but how blessed Jesus has made me by teaching me how to repent and be forgiven, while learning the importance of giving grace so that I might also receive His grace.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV).