Mary, the Mother of Jesus
As a parent, what do you envision for your child(ren)'s life's purpose?
What are your dreams for him/her/them?
What are the moments you most look forward to? Most dread?
What do you think Mary's dreams were for her son, Jesus? At what point did she realize that His entire life's purpose was to die as a ransom for the sins of the world?
In Luke 1 we read the story of Gabriel announcing the coming birth of Jesus.
"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God....'"
During this Easter season, especially having a newborn, I've been thinking about this.
How do I pray for my children? How did Mary pray for her children? After all, one of her children was actually God! What were her thoughts as she watched her first born Son being unjustly crucified? Did she recognize in the midst of that dark day that this was the very reason He'd come to Earth in the first place? And after His resurrection, what were their interactions like? How did Mary's unique relationship with the Son Jesus influence her relationship with the Father God?
So I return to the question: What do I envision for my children's life's purpose? Do I truly believe that God's plans for their lives are greater than my own? At what point will God allow me a glimpse of His purposes - or will He ever? May the Easter story remind us all that God's ways are greater than our own - for our own lives and the lives of our children.
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What are your dreams for him/her/them?
What are the moments you most look forward to? Most dread?
What do you think Mary's dreams were for her son, Jesus? At what point did she realize that His entire life's purpose was to die as a ransom for the sins of the world?
In Luke 1 we read the story of Gabriel announcing the coming birth of Jesus.
"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God....'"
It's obvious through Jesus' interactions with His disciples (and others) that He didn't live up to their expectations. They expected a King who would overthrow the Roman government; they expected a new Kingdom, not in Heaven, but on Earth - immediately.
But what about Jesus' mother?
Mary knew from the moment the angel announced His birth that her Son had a particular, unique, and important purpose. (I mean, did an angel announce your child's impending arrival?!) But when did she actually understand it?
Did she have days with toddler Jesus that were frustrating? He was perfect, but does that mean that He always took naps when He was supposed to? He always ate all of the food that she put in front of Him? How was nursing those first few weeks of his life? Did infant Jesus sleep through the night?
In Luke 2:41-52 we see that when Jesus was 12 years old He caused His parents great distress as He stayed behind at the temple in Jerusalem, without their knowledge, when they were returning to their home in Nazareth. Can't you just hear Mary's frustration in verse 48, "...'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, >your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.'” How exasperated she must have felt when He replied, "...'
Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'" The story continues saying that Mary and Joseph didn't understand these things, but Mary "treasured up all these things in her heart."But what about Jesus' mother?
Mary knew from the moment the angel announced His birth that her Son had a particular, unique, and important purpose. (I mean, did an angel announce your child's impending arrival?!) But when did she actually understand it?
Did she have days with toddler Jesus that were frustrating? He was perfect, but does that mean that He always took naps when He was supposed to? He always ate all of the food that she put in front of Him? How was nursing those first few weeks of his life? Did infant Jesus sleep through the night?
During this Easter season, especially having a newborn, I've been thinking about this.
How do I pray for my children? How did Mary pray for her children? After all, one of her children was actually God! What were her thoughts as she watched her first born Son being unjustly crucified? Did she recognize in the midst of that dark day that this was the very reason He'd come to Earth in the first place? And after His resurrection, what were their interactions like? How did Mary's unique relationship with the Son Jesus influence her relationship with the Father God?
So I return to the question: What do I envision for my children's life's purpose? Do I truly believe that God's plans for their lives are greater than my own? At what point will God allow me a glimpse of His purposes - or will He ever? May the Easter story remind us all that God's ways are greater than our own - for our own lives and the lives of our children.
Photo Credit
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