Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.
Mother’s Day. A time to celebrate our moms and do everything we can to make them happy. After all, we all know the saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
But today I realized that many of the moms in my family, among my friends, and in my circle of influence are anything but happy. With broken hearts, they cradle seriously ill children, suffer unimaginable loss, and face another day alone.
They cry. They beg. They pray.
Today, as I prayed for those precious moms, I wondered, “Lord, why do they have to struggle at such a deep, gut-wrenching level, especially this weekend?”
And then I remembered Mary.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew what it meant to suffer. As a pregnant, unmarried teenager, she could have been stoned to death. And even though Joseph took her as his wife, the townspeople still knew. They could count the months. And I’m sure they did. Whispered accusations. Judging eyes. How hard that must have been for this virgin woman-child who simply wanted to please God and submit to His plan for her life.
But that was only the beginning. On the day Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, a man named Simeon blessed them and then told Mary that her Son would “cause the falling and rising of many in Israel . . . And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” Luke 2:34-35. He told Mary she was going to suffer.
And she did.
She knew how it felt to lose a twelve-year-old child for three days (Luke 2:41-50) and to be ignored by her Son (Mark 3:31-35). Her other children rejected Jesus (John 7:5) and she was apparently widowed at a young age.
But the worst anguish of all was watching Jesus suffer at the hands of those He came to save. Not only was her innocent Son being put to death, but a guilty murderer was going free in His place!
Oh, how Mary’s heart must have broken when she saw Him hanging on that cross! At that moment—in the midst of His suffering—what did she see? Did her mind replay His childhood? Did she see the mischievous smile of her little boy? Did she hear His giggles and feel His hugs and smell His sweaty hair?
Or did she see the blood of the Sacrifice, willingly given for her own sin, and the sin of the world?
Regardless of what she saw at that moment, I can assure you of one thing—Mary was not happy.
It just wasn’t fair!
But Mary had hope, because she had a history with God. She could look back and remember the day He spoke to her. The day she answered with, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38.
She could look back at the day her suffering was foretold, and know God had a plan.
There’s comfort in a history with God. There’s comfort in knowing that regardless of what happens, He has a plan. He doesn’t tell us life will be wonderful, but He does tell us life will be worthwhile, that He can use us in the midst of our suffering.
Mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend…Are you hurting today? Are you wondering why He doesn’t heal him? Why He took her away? Why He doesn’t seem to hear you?
I pray today, regardless of what you’re going through, you can remember something wonderful in your history with God and take comfort in it. I promise you it’s there somewhere.
And then remember that He does indeed have a plan, a perfect plan to give hope and bring good, even in the suffering. After all, Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Grace and peace be yours in abundance during this special weekend.
Vonda
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Every year about this time, chaos descends. There are presents to buy, baking to do, and gatherings to attend. But as I think back to the reason we celebrate, I see Mary’s first Christmas was very different from ours.
I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard messages this season on the idea of Mary’s pondering. I presented a message last week myself on that very thing!