Mary sat holding her newly born baby near to her breast and heart. To be with child and to give birth for the first time is a wondrous thing for any woman – but this child was indeed a miracle. The angel had called him the Son of the Most High and told her that he would reign over the throne of David forever. ‘How can this be?’ she was still asking herself – that she, a virgin had just given birth to her firstborn – even God in human flesh. She looked at him in awe – Miracle of miracles – yet he looked and felt like any newborn child. There was nothing about his appearance that marked him as different. She prayed for wisdom and guidance for the nurturing of this future king. She would leave the future to God and love this blessed bundle of life with all her strength and ability (Luke 1:26-35 & 67-79).
After the days of purification, Mary and Joseph took the baby to Jerusalem to present him to God as their law required and to offer the appropriate sacrifice – a pair of turtle doves. Such a small offering for such a priceless treasure to their hearts and lives! While there, they were approached by an elderly man named Simeon, who begged to take the child into his arms. Overcome with joy he looked up to the heavens and declared that he could now leave this life in peace, having seen God’s promised salvation, so long awaited. Borrowing the words of the prophet, he then announced that the child would be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Mary and Joseph were amazed in silence. Simeon announced blessing upon them and went on to say that their Child would be the rise and fall of many and a sign to be opposed. Opposition to her child – how – from whom? Her present joy was suddenly mixed with dread. Simeon also said that a sword would pierce even her very soul in days to come. She wanted only to take her child into her arms and cherish the comfort of holding him near. What she did not understand must be committed trustingly to the loving God she knew. (Luke 2:21-35).
Thirty-three years later Mary stood distantly from the cross of crucifixion where she had been watching her son slowly die for hours. He was not recognizable from the torture he had been through, the blood loss and dehydration. The Roman soldiers had mounted a sign on the cross that read “Jesus the Nazarene-The King of the Jews” – was this his coronation? Her thoughts were muddled, despairing, emotionally overwhelming and mostly of disbelief – full of the unspeakable pain of a mother watching her son – the promised king – die. When He spoke of thirst someone responded with a wine-soaked sponge reached up to his mouth. Her heart, now completely broken, seemed to be turning to fluid and pouring into every part of her body…and finally He died. He was dead and no longer in the unimaginable agony he had endured for hours. Could she now breathe without gasping?
Then a soldier pierced his side with a spear to ensure his death. It might as well have gone into her very own heart. She remembered again old Simeon and his prophecy. She was losing consciousness as John, to whom Jesus had committed her care, pulled her from this dark and terrible place. For now there was no understanding of how or why they had killed God’s Son – the perfect son – as a lamb without blemish. Only God could explain why He allowed His own Son to suffer so. Surely He would. (John 19:17-35, 20-21 & I Peter 1:18-19)
While we remember the precious beauty and innocence of the baby Jesus, it is more important to remember the paradoxical beauty of the Lamb that was slain. Read Acts 1-4 for the “why.” ~ DLA
…”Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
(Revelation 5:12)
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