As a mom, one of the hardest things is to watch my kids go through heart-breaking, gut-wrenching times. There have been many moments that I wished I could trade places with them. There were life-threatening times when each of the girls fought to live after being born. When one suffered a year-long mystery illness. When another was wasting away from an eating disorder. There were heartbreaks and betrayals from friends or the disappointment of life. But, I can’t imagine what Mary went through.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Mary, Joseph and Jesus just had an unusual visit from the shepherds and heard all about what happened with the angels. The word “pondering” here refers to weighing the facts. She was holding onto and recounting what Gabriel said to her; what Elizabeth said; what Gabriel said to Joseph and him changing his mind from “divorcing” her. All of it.

Soon after, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple, as was the custom and required by law. While there Simon, who was promised that he would see the Messiah before he died, came over, praised God for seeing Jesus and then prayed for them. He ended with this encouraging word:
“…And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:35b

This is so interesting, the word “sword “ is probably referring to a Thracian sword, a large barbaric sword. The same word is used in reference to: Goliath’s sword (1 Samuel 17:17); the birth of Jesus (Zechariah 13:7) and in the Apocalypse (Revelation 1:6, 2:12).

Before anything happened in their life, before watching Jesus take His first steps or say His first words; before the skinned knees from playing or the raw knuckles from learning carpentry from Joseph; before losing Jesus at the Temple. Mary knew she would have heartache and sorrow.

Imagine her anguish and anxiousness as she heard the hatred and persecution towards Jesus. The time they tried to push Him off a mountain, she held her breath as her heart skipped a beat. I’m sure a part of her wanted to protect Jesus, to keep Him from stirring things up. But she also knew Who her son was and what He needed to do. Remember Mary found favor with God and knew about the promise of the Messiah.

Mary needed Jesus to die for her sins, even though as a mom ~ she would have done anything to spare Him that pain and rejection.

The beginning part of Simon’s prayer: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35a

“Thought” here is a Greek word used with a shade of evil implied in it. Mary knew from the beginning that Jesus would shake the world and reveal the evil and sin in each man and woman. Some will repent and turn, while others will harden their hearts and reject Him.

And at that moment when day turned to night. When her baby, her son who ran and laughed; who taught and healed; hung on the Cross, it was truly like a big, barbaric sword cutting her in half. Her anguish for Him, mixed with her joy knowing the Messiah had come. That meant she was free from the sin in her life and condemnation of the law.

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, and the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When He had said this, he breathed his last.”
Luke 23: 44-46

The curtain or veil that separated the rest of the Temple from the Holy of Holies was ripped. We no longer need anyone else to talk to God for us. To ask for our forgiveness. Jesus cleared the path for us to go directly and confidently into the presence of God because of His sacrifice.

Through the suffering and pain of the Cross, we have healing and peace.

I am overwhelmed by the grace and freedom afforded us through the suffering and humiliation of Jesus. I pray that as we remember His sacrifice this Easter, we take a moment to reflect on how we are living. Are we honoring His sacrifice by allowing it to truly change us? Father, forgive me when I squander away my freedom by being selfish in my choices and thank You for fully and fiercely loving me.

May the peace and joy of our Resurrected Savior fill you in such a way that you know how much you are loved and seen!
All My Love ~
JB xoxo