Easter brings such joy and celebration because the stone has been moved away and Christ has risen. It can seems like a far away story as we fill the holiday with bunnies and dinners. But as a mom I wondered what the reality of that holy week looked like through the eyes of another mother, Jesus mother?
As I tried to grasp the reality of that first Good Friday and resurrection morning, my mind kept going to Mary, Jesus’ mother and her 3-day journey. Wondering how she felt as she tried to stay close to him, as he was taken, beaten and a crown of thorns pressed into his head.
I imagined her at the foot of the cross as her eyes wouldn’t move from her son’s beaten and battered body as it hung on that Roman cross. Blood everywhere, her sons blood. I imagine her deep anguish as she pushed past the crowd, hiding from the soldiers, and trying to get as close as she could.
She just wanted to be close to HIM.
Staring at him. That same body she had delivered into the world just 33 years earlier. The body she nursed and cared for daily. The son she watched take his first steps had now taken his last. What pain it must have been for her that fateful Friday. A Friday we now call good, didn’t hold good in her eyes that day. She didn’t know what was happening.
I imagine there were little words that could come from her lips. Her eyes gushing tears she got as near to the cross as she could. Just wanting to stay close to him. In my mind I see their eyes meet. His eyes though puffy and bleeding looking into hers as he did the work of salvation. Both their hearts hurting. A mothers love pouring out.. I’m here I won’t leave you.
She most likely knew nothing of what was to come. Did the story of his life run through her mind? Did she remember the angel arriving to her alone in her room and announcing that she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Did the promises Jesus himself said echo in her mind? She had heard Jesus’s words and she knew God’s word. And she believed with all her heart. Yet how could it be ending like this? She must have been so confused and anxious at the scene playing out in front of her eyes.
She just wanted to be close to Him.
Then the silence came, the terrible stillness of the end. The one moment she had dreaded. The moment that pierced her very own heart. The son of promise from Bethlehem was dead before her eyes. They took him off the cross and she held him in her arms. “I’m here ” she might have said as she watched his body laid in the tomb and a stone set that sealed it.
She just wanted to be close to Him.
Now imagine with me her thoughts as on Sunday morning someone rushes in to say HE’S NOT IN THE TOMB! Where was he? Where had they taken him? She just wanted to be close to him. Then the joy, the unspeakable joy that filled her entire body as she realizes He had RISEN! So she ran to be close to Him. It was true! The stone had been rolled away from the tomb and He wasn’t there. He had risen just like He said He would. The fulfillment of the promise of God she knew 33 years before was now a reality. Her son… Savior of the world was now her own savior as well.
She just wanted to be close to Him.
And she was. Joy of joys He was now the one that said “I’m here.” The book of John tells us that Jesus walked the earth for 40 days after his resection. People saw him ate with Him and learned from Him. And Mary… she savored His presence as she stayed so close to Him. Can you imagine how she hung on to His every word? This son, this savior of hers. How obedient she was when Jesus told her and the others to go to the upper room and pray and wait for the ultimate comforter the Holy Spirit to come.
He had told them that he must ascend to Father God in heaven. That he would be leaving them but that the Holy Spirit would come and comfort them all. And boy did she need comfort. Let’s face it… it had been a ruff couple of months. Yet the truth still remained.
She just wanted to be close to Him.
He had told them all to the upper room and wait and pray. And so she did, they all did. The day of Pentecost was about to happen. The Holy Spirit arrived in the room with wind and fire and they were filled with Him. With a rush He was with them again. Closer than ever inside their very beings. Things would never be the same.
She felt her body and her spirit strengthen, as the comfort she so desperately needed dissolved all her pain and all that was left was joy and peace.
She just wanted to be close to Him and NOW SHE WAS!
Can you imagine Mary this mortal woman as she walked out the rest of her life? Imagine how her smile must have busted out each morning, as she would talk to Holy Spirit whenever she wanted.
Can you imagine her talking to Jesus all the time? Asking, praying, laughing as the joy of the Lord filled her days. I wonder if some days she might just sit quietly and watch the sunset and recall that fatal Friday. Tears flowing yet now the tears that were falling weren’t full of pain and despair, they fell with joy and awe at the gift of God called Jesus.
What joy for now she would be with Him for eternity. And I see her smiling because she knew that…
She just wanted to be close to Him and NOW SHE WAS!!!
You too can experience the joy and presences that Mary did. This wonderful savior Jesus, died, defeated sin and death and is alive. And He didn’t just do it for Mary and the disciples. He did it for all of mankind and that means you too.
Because of His victory we can have our sins forgiven and live with Him now and forever more.
Want to be close to Him too?
You can. Pray and accept Jesus’s gift of salvation. He paid the price for all your sin. The sin you should have to pay for. You should have to die for. Yet He paid it all and now offers the gift of salvation to you for free. You only have to understand is your need for it and receive it.
Pray from your heart. Or you can pray a prayer like the one below from your heart. Remember it’s not about the prayer. It’s about Jesus and you being close to Him.
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.
Amen.
So you’re a new believer. Now what?
Greg Laurie goes all over the world leading people to the knowledge of Christ. His website is packed with information for the new believer and those that are looking for answers. From specific questions to videos and easy Bible study starts this site is great. I highly recommend it.
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/new-believer/start-to-follow.html
If you’d like help understanding please email me at [email protected].
Happy Easter,
Mona
