“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning… – Isaiah 61:3 NIV)
“Woman,” Jesus breathed the word softly, painfully, through lips encrusted with blood. The palms of His hands were pinned with wooden spikes. He looked at her first and then at the young man standing beside her. “Here is your Son.” Then to the man: “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27).
She wanted to reach for Him with all the might of her love, to bury His sorrow in her love. To tell Him He was the Son she still loved. Many thoughts flooded her soul: Would the God Who spared Abraham the sacrifice of a child spare her the agony of this sacrifice? All her life, she had loved the God Whose angel had spoken to her, calling her “highly favoured.” But how could a woman whose Son was dying on a Roman cross ever consider herself “favoured”? Suddenly, her own words came back to her ear: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” – Luke 1:38 (NIV).
The midday sun had blackened, but Mary could still see her Son’s twisted form on the cross. She thought of the Magi and their priceless gifts – the gold and incense, royal treasures that had helped them survive their stay in Egypt. She had always wondered about the myrrh. Now she knew it was embalming oil for the King the wise men had come to worship.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 – NIV). His cry pierced her heart. The earth shook violently, and she fell to her knees.
How true the angel’s words had been. No woman from Eve onward had ever been blessed as she, the mother of the Messiah, had been. Yes, the past was alive inside her, but the future filled her with joy. Soon, she would see her Son again, and this time, it would be His hands that would wipe away the last of her tears.
In the Book of Revelation, John describes a glorious scene. The voice of many angels, the living creatures, and the elders all singing “Worthy is the Lamb…” (Revelation 5:11-12). Imagine the sight, imagine the sound as every creature in heaven and on earth, under the earth, and on the sea, joining together in their loud, supernatural voices, praising Jesus (Revelation 5:13).
What joy for Mary to see her Child raised from the dead and to have received the Holy Spirit along with Christ’s other disciples. Mary will be there praising her Son. Will you be there praising your Saviour?
Read: Psalm 118:24; Colossians 1:24
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 20:15-24; 1 Corinthians 14:1-19; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; 2 Chronicles 12
