January 28, 2009 - The Strength Of Mary

Meditation on Luke 2

The emphasis of this chapter is on Jesus' birth and childhood. We usually studied the baby Jesus in the manger, the announcement of the angels to the shepherds who subsequently looked for Jesus in Bethlehem, the dedication of Jesus in the temple, the prophecies by Simeon and Anna concerning Jesus and His study with the scholars in Jerusalem when He was twelve.

Today let us look at Mary, His mother. What an amazing woman she was. She and her husband were poor. They could not afford to offer a bull or lamb as offering for Jesus except a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. (v. 24) She and Joseph kept all the laws that were required by the Old Testament. She had heard incredible announcements concerning the future of her child but at the same time she heard prophecy that "...a sword will pierce through your own soul also...." because of the child. (v. 35 NKJV) She later had to accept the fact that Jesus stayed in the temple for three days to study God's Words and then simply told her that "Why is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (v. 49)

From Mark 6:3, we know that she had raised at least another six children after Jesus. But she still cared very much about Jesus and what He was doing that she spent time to look for Him while He was too busy to be with her. (Matthew 12:46)

She was well aware of Jesus' hardship and sufferings. She was beneath the cross when Jesus was hanging on it. She saw everything that Jesus had to endure. Where did she get all her strength from?

Of course, her strength came from God. However I believe that her faith in and her pondering of God's Word and work is the key. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Verse 51 in the same chapter also says, "... but His mother kept all these things in her heart." A constant meditation of what God's Word says and what God is doing in your life will give you strength to do His will.