Mary Pondered many things in her heart : Luke 2:19, Luke 1:38, from the angel announcing Jesus's Birth and the Lord finding favor in her, to speaking to Simeon in Luke 2:33-35, to Mary finding Jesus in the temple and hearing His response to her (Luke 2:49).
Simeon warned Mary a sword would pierce her heart (soul). Later in Jesus' life, she and Joseph anxiously searched for Jesus three days and found him in the temple. Luke 2:44-50
Years later He was crucified on the cross. Did His mother remember that feeling, those three days prior? Was her heart already prepared to the anguish she would feel? Was she forewarned about the pain she would endure that day? Does God prepare our hearts? Did she know that her Son Christ would come back either time?
The Sword that pierced her heart, the same heart that pondered so many things surrounding this man Jesus. Luke 1: 46-55
And like Mary, there are countless mothers out there carrying a sword pierced heart. Please consider, none of this was Mary's plan or idea. She graciously agreed (refer back to Luke 1:38 and 46-55). We may not feel like we're anything special like Mary, but please look back on the ancestry of Chris's linage. There were ordinary, desperate women like many of us are today.
Before we get to this point, let us love our children, our families now. I'm reminded of a past Valentine's day where a friend requested a ride from me to a city I'd never been to at ten o clock at night because the father of her child had just passed and she needed to pick the child up.
This friend has had several stories I'd later discover that could describe many of the people in the bible. Whether you're battling the courts, family, the forces of evil or what have you, that piercing of the heart is always there. I often think of the film, Gone Baby Gone, and consider what was the best way to handle that situation.
The situation with Lazarus passing and Jesus taking HIS time (John 11:6-7) to return to him. Martha is of course kinda tripping on Him, but hey, faith is there. She knew she would see her brother at the resurrection (John 11:23-35). We have this same hope when mourning the lost children, children in prison, on drugs on the streets, or removed for varying circumstances, children lost to trafficking, missing and unseen.
Mary didn't ask to be a mother. I often wonder if she felt happy on a daily basis. She was dutiful and felt the human emotions we all feel as a parent regardless of the circumstances. It's interesting that, Jesus later in life, redirects a woman giving praise to His earthly mother. He gives her no credit. His focus was doing the Lord's will. Luke 11:27-28.
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Many parents and loved ones will never get the full understanding or end result. Damage or Trauma was already been inflicted. Unanswered questions. No Closure. Unseen
The only hope and prayer is the same Martha had: they would see their brother at the resurrection.
When Jesus was crucified, others rose from their graves (Matthew 27: 52-53). We have this faith. We have what is promised to us. We have right now. So many of us do not know or realize how impactful one person, one day, one encounter could be on your life in the long run. The past mistakes still haunting your present? We have each day to create new memories and experiences.
When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb they were instructed remove his burial clothes. Old death rags. We need to remove those as well and allow Him to bring us new life.
Holidays devoted to love and family harbor many Heavy hearts pierced with swords. Like Mary His earthly mother, we're Pondering all the things Jesus promises us at His second return. While we endure, rather than like King Arthur removing one sword from one stone, Let Jesus the King of Kings remove ours. He's the only one who can remove the sword in your heart. Trust He knows what the end story will look like for you and your family.
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