When Jesus saw (from the cross) his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19: 26 - 27)
My dad was the smartest man in the entire world. He knew how to answer all of my most difficult questions. Whenever I asked him the most challenging questions in life he would wisely respond, "Go ask your mother!"
Nothing is quite as wonderful, nurturing, and important as a good mom. Moms are amazing! Moms sing us to sleep and cuddle us as babies. They fix boo-boos and read stories when we are toddlers. Moms correct and challenge us as teenagers. They encourage us and pass on wisdom as we age. Moms are not perfect, but can know more than most the importance of sacrificial love.
There is no greater example of motherhood than Jesus' mother, Mary. She understood that her relationship with her son is grounded in her love for God. She is not perfect either, but she does know what all good parents do. If you want to be a great parent and have a special relationship with your kids, then first ground your own life as a servant of God.
The gospel scenes of Mary and Jesus point to a nurturing, faithful, complex, sometimes even baffling relationship. However, underneath it all is the sacrificial love of God.
At the annunciation Mary responds to the angel Gabriel's proclamation by saying, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) This after initially wondering how this could be. Next, Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth who is great with child as well. After John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, Mary shouts out the Magnificat. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my Spirit rejoices in God my savior…” (Luke 1: 46, 47) Mary’s faithful and joyful response to motherhood is an inspiration for all, not to mention some of the greatest poetry in the entire Bible. Mary also marvels when the shepherd's visit at Jesus' birth, “she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Mary is a shining example of the importance of a human, warm, loving relationship. She is joyful and humble. She knows her child is a gift from God.
Moreover, Mary is not just the cute, placid, innocent girl we see in Christmas pageants. Mary can be stern in her own way. She says to the boy Jesus, after frantically searching for him for three days and finding him in the Temple, “Child, why have you treated us like this?” (Luke 2: 48)O ne is left to wonder about the entirety of their relationship while Jesus was a boy. Did she discipline him often or very much at all? Did she need to discipline him? We will never know, and perhaps we shouldn’t. In any case, Mary was a very caring and nurturing mother.
However, it is her relationship with Jesus when he is an adult that intrigues the most. Mary strongly hinted that Jesus turn water into wine at the wedding in Cana. Jesus says, “Woman, what concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4) Mary then tells the servants to do as Jesus commands. Jesus dutifully orders the large jars to be filled with water. When the water is drawn out it becomes fine wine. It is one of the most curious encounters in the entire Bible. Did Jesus give in to his mother? Was she right? How did they feel toward each other in that moment? The text never really answers these questions and we are left to wonder. Another curious scene between Mary and Jesus is found in Mark chapter 3. Many think Jesus is ‘out of his mind.’ The text says that some of his family went to restrain him. Was his mother part of that group? Did she want to overly protect her son? Later Jesus is told that his mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for him. Jesus responds that his mother and brothers and sisters are those who do the will of God. Now I am not suggesting that Jesus and Mary had an antagonistic relationship when Jesus was an adult, but you have to wonder how their relationship truly progressed. There were obvious strains, but that is true of all relationships grounded in love.
Finally, the most powerful scene between Jesus and his mother is the scene at the cross. On the cross Jesus looks down and sees the most important people in his earthly life. Two of which are his mother and the ‘beloved’ disciple. The ‘beloved’ disciple (often thought to be John) can be symbolic of all beloved disciples of Jesus. It is an incredible literary device used by the writer of John’s gospel. It is a way to say to the reader that, “You too can be a beloved disciple.” Jesus says, “Woman, here is your son,’ and to the beloved disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26, 27) Notice, he does not say, “Here you two be friends.” No, Jesus is very specific about setting up the mother/ child relationship. Especially at the cross, Jesus and his mother Mary know the importance of a loving relationship grounded in God.
Nothing is quite as wonderful, nurturing, and important as a good mom. I pray you take some time today to give thanks for mother's everywhere. Remember those who have had a difficult mother/ child relationship. Remember all those who have functioned as special moms for others. Remember the special moments with your mom! Remember her joys. Remember her challenges. Remember her heartache. Remember her faithfulness. Remember her love!
Thank You Moms! Happy Mother's Day! Underneath it all is the Love of God!!
