And Mary was Silent

We face hardships in life. So often it is difficult to understand why we go through so many struggles. Yet, the Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God….” I think I would have to agree with the Apostle Paul on this one. I know what I am supposed to do. But so often the struggle is greater than my ability, or it seems to be. Paul said in Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Like Paul, I know what I am supposed to do. I know how I am supposed to respond in given circumstances but all too often my old nature gets in the way and I just can’t seem to do the right thing. I can’t stand silently by and let God be God. 

     Mary was truly blessed by God. More than any other person in all of history. She was certainly not the Mother of God. But she was the mother of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah of Israel and the Lamb of God. She would give birth to the physical child who would become the sacrifice for our sin and in whom all the fullness of God would dwell. What a joy it must have been to watch him grow. Every day he was learning as others learned, and as Mary must have watched and wondered. He must have played as others played, and Mary must have watched and wondered. And yet she knew he was God’s son. 

     Did she see him as he was, the Son of God? The angels told her he would be the Son of God, Luke 1:30-33 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” But when did she realize the magnitude of that message? When she held him in her arms as an infant was he just like any other child? When she put him to bed at night and kissed his forehead was her attachment the same as any other Mother? 

     Regardless of when she finally understood her profound gift from God she still formed attachments. Like any mother she would form a maternal bond that would become inseparable. She would still be worried when he seemed to be lost or missing. When Jesus taught in the temple Mary became very worried because she had no idea where he had gone, Luke 2:48 “And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” And I imagine this was only one of several similar situations throughout his life at home. Mary loved Jesus as her son. She was attached as any good mother would be. He was her son.

     She must have been so very proud of him when he began preaching. People came from all over to hear him. Multitudes would gather and often follow him over the countryside just to hear him preach. So, when his popularity finally caused the religious leaders to become angry and vengeful, Mary would surely begin to fear for his safety. Could any of us have done what Mary did the day Jesus was taken?

     Mary was in the crowd. Remember as Jesus hung on the cross we read in Joh 19:26-27 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother….” Mary was silent. She was SILENT, as she saw her son being tortured. She saw the crown of thorns pressed onto his brow. She saw the nails driven into his wrists and feet. How did she remain silent? How did she not cry out for justice? How did she not plead for mercy? Her son hung on a roughhewn wooden cross right in front of her beaten, torn and mangled beyond recognition. And, Mary remained silent! 

     I can only imagine that by this time she had come to understand what the Psalmist meant when he wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God….” She knew that even now, even in these circumstances God was in control. I am sure her heart still broke and the tears still flowed. But she knew God had a plan no matter how bleak her world may have looked.

     Can we have that same confidence in sorrow? Mary had special circumstances to say the least. But, she was still human and still a mother. Mary trusted God. And that is something we can still do today. God proved His faithfulness to Mary over the 33 years she shared with Jesus. But, we have had thousands of years of history that prove over and over again, God is faithful, that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

     In her deepest distress and darkest hour Mary remained silent and trusted God. 

     Can we remain silent and trust God for our trials?