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“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by,
whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”
(John 19:26)
Woman, behold thy son!
By: Pastor L.R. Simas, Sr.
05-10-09

Today is "Mothers Day". Have you given due honor to yours?? She has
done much for you! Maybe you didn't notice. Let me tell you about such
and one, then.
Many years ago a woman was visited by an angel. This angel said, "Hail,
thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women (Luke 1:28). He continues speaking with her as he says,
"…Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold,
thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his
name JESUS" (Luke 1:30-31). Mary had a couple of big problems. The
first was she was espoused to a man whose name was Joseph and two, she
was a virgin. She speaks to the angel saying, "…How shall this be, seeing I
know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy
Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath
also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her,
who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:
34-37). Yet with her faith in the Lord she says, "Behold the handmaid of
the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed
from her" (Luke 1:38). Oh, lest I forget, she had this other comment to
make, "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47). We'll visit this again later.
Mary, had she lived today, would not be believed and would have endured
much. People of today would most probably have thought she was off her
rocker. More than likely made fun of her and would have treated her with
cruelty. However, God knows all, did things in His time, and according to
His purpose and will. Let us keep this in the time of its occurrence so that
we might learn more of this blessed woman and mother of Jesus.
I have no doubt that she knew what the end results for her son was to be.
However, being human and most probably very involved in the rearing of
her child's upbringing, Mary wasn't thinking that far ahead. She and Joseph
most likely raised their son in the tradition of their belief. Joseph teaching
Him the carpenter trade and Mary proving nourishment and love, I'm sure.
I hope you had such love and care when you were young, too. Moms
(most all of them) have the gift of nurturing and maybe even over caring.
This is what marks a good mother. I hope you tell her that you are grateful
to her and for her caring. Have you told her you love her? If you haven't
then by all means tell her today!! You don't know how many days she may
have left.
As Jesus grew and became a man, trouble and maybe a reminder for Mary
was all too soon to come. Jesus knew why he was born and so too (I think)
did Mary. With all the motherly love and protection she could give she
couldn't stop what was already in progress. Some of us know what it's like
to lose a child and it is heart wrenching at the very least. Imagine what was
or might have been going through Mary's mind as she would witness what
may have been told to her 33 years ago. She knew what travail felt like and
what she was going to go through, would feel far, far worse.
Imagine her pain, anguish, and great sorrow as a woman and a mother!
Now, as we follow the events that lead her child (to a mother we are
always a child) to His death for her, us, and the whole world. When Jesus
was sent to be scourged, He felt the brutal pain of every lash (“…and with
His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5) as she winced as well. When He
carried the cross and fell with exhaustion and pain, she more than likely felt
the same.
With pure horror, she watched as they pounded each time on the nails as
they tore through His innocent skin, muscle, and tendons. Imagine what
your mother would have felt like, if you were one of the two others being
crucified that day! Think they were in any less physical or mental pain??
Jesus, knowing all things growing even closer to death said unto her, "...
Woman, behold thy son!" (John 19:26). It is my belief that Jesus was
preparing a place for His earthly mother's welfare as He would be about
His Father's business in completing the remainder of the tasks that lay
ahead.
So, as Mothers Day arrives remember it was Mom that God uses to bring
forth life. With life she gives her all and suffers as the Bible states. Mom
should hold a special place in your life as you did (and may still) the day
you were born of her. When you see Mom give her a hug and a kiss and
most importantly tell her you’re thankful to her and you love her (I pray
you do).
Let me close with what Mary said about her Lord, "my soul doth magnify
the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47).
Mary was a person like you and I and she needed a Saviour!! May you
need the Saviour, also. Remember, Jesus died for you, will you live for
Him?? Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below.
With love in Christ, whose servant I am and yours,
Pastor Popeye,
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
http//:www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org

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