A Pierced Soul

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother...When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
John 19: 25-27

     My heart wrings when I think of Jesus, hanging on a tree - his clothes removed and gambled away, his mother watching. I wonder if Mary was exhuming all of those memories she pondered in her heart: the angel who announced her pregnancy, the shepherds who were heralded by the heavenly host, the old man, Simeon, who blessed them in the temple, the twelve-year-old son who must be about his Father's business. Her life, as the mother of the Messiah, flashed before her eyes as she incredulously watched the grisly scene unfold on Calvary.

     This was the sword that would pierce her own soul which Simeon spoke of all those years ago. What could all this mean? Why did God bring this Son of hers into this demise? How hard it must have been, watching this mysterious plan unfolding before her teary eyes. A criminal's execution on a cursed tree? But the angel Gabriel told her, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1: 32, 33) Yet, here he was being mocked, spat upon and humiliated.

     I picture God, leaning down close to Mary, whispering to her bruised and bewildered spirit: "Have faith, Mary. I know what I'm doing."

     Lord, remind me of these gentle and obedient saints like Mary, world-weary people who clung to your promises like a lifeline. As I view life through the lens of faith, may I strive to be a part of the plan, like the lovely Mary.

    "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1