Woman, behold your son

“Near the cross of Jesus, stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clops, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “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

 

What a journey for Mary! 

 

Can you imagine standing by as the mother of the Messiah? 

 

When Mary had first given birth to Jesus, a group of shepherds came and visited them. They explained how angels appeared to them and told them of Jesus’ birth while proclaiming the glory of God. It was an unbelievable and supernatural event! Everyone listening to the shepherds were amazed at what they said. Yet, Luke 2:19 tells us, that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

 

What was it that she pondered? 

 

Was it that God had given her this responsibility? 

 

Was it that the shepherds, the lowest of the lowest, were the ones to first hear this great news that was going to be for all people? 

 

Or was it that she looked at her son, and was overwhelmed with great pride at what he would become? 

 

Fast forward about 12 years, and Mary and Joseph lose Jesus in the chaos of the Passover festivities. After finding him in the temple three days later, he is amazing the people there with how wise and educated he was. And after Mary and Joseph argue with him about the anxiety Jesus caused them, and how they were confused at what he was saying and doing, Luke reminds us once again in 2:51, It once again says that Mary treasured all these thing in her heart. 

 

Luke paints a picture of a mother who was not only proud of her son, but who knew that she held a special place in his heart. But how would she know that?