As the Passover lamb poured out its blood, I wonder if 12-year-old Jesus understood that its death was a graphic demonstration of what he -the Lamb of God - had come to the world to do. His slaughter on the cross would ensure that God's anger would pass over sinners. His punishment would bring us peace. His wounds would heal us. (86)
Jesus Lost - Maybe not their finest hour as parents. They lost God in the flesh. But the circumstances as the author explains them makes sense of how easily it could have happened. I can relate to that horrible, panicked feeling!
Jesus lost. They searched
at least. Let me not say: I'll
seek some other time. (85)
I don't really have much of my own thoughts to comment on in this chapter but there are a lot of passages the author makes that I really like.
Mary hadn't just lost Jesus in a literal way. She had also lost sight of Jesus' true identity. It must have been difficult enough for her to look at her gangly 12-year-old and see the promised Messiah. (88)
Like Mary, I don't always fully understand the work my Savior is doing in my life, especially when my life is not going particularly well. ... His answer to Mary is his answer to us: I'm doing my Father's business. God's business in our lives is to draw us closer to him and to turn our eyes to heaven. (89)
It's so interesting to me how often it's mentioned that "Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart". She seems a very thoughtful woman. She took the time to stew over these events, what she'd witnessed, and what she heard. She was a very wise woman to do that!
Lord, help me to be like Mary: to treasure in my heart your words, even those that are difficult to understand, and to work at a better and deeper knowledge of your will in my life. (89)
The whole section on Jesus' obedience was something to ponder like Mary. How patient he was with his own parents! He still had to learn and grow. (89) It really does amaze me!
I have always loved the verse: Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men." Luke 2:52
I pray that for my own children!
Mothering Like Mary
God bless "David's" grandma. What a special lady.
I pray that I can use my time with him in the best way so that he knows all he needs for everlasting life.
Amen. I am praying that too!
Ponder
What causes you anxiety when you think of your child? How does Matthew 6:25-34 help you deal with that anxiety?
True confession. I struggle with anxiety. I have a tendency to worry. I imagine everything that could possibly go wrong. I envision different scenarios and the ensuing mess. Oh, yeah. I freak out.
Weird thing is, one child has caused me more anxiety than the other. Without naming names, let's just say it's the one who's not around all the time anymore. I don't know what it is about this kid. He's great. He really is. I've no doubt that God has great plans for him. But then I act like I don't believe that even though I do. Told you I freak out.
I worry about his grades. I worry about what school he'll go to for college, if he'll find a wonderful woman - at the right time. I worry about if he'll grow out of his mild form of epilepsy so he doesn't carry it into adulthood. I worry about if his socks match his shoes and wonder what kind of woman would be attracted to that. Someone who'll want to fix him - that's who. And we all know how that works out!
It's when I'm sucked into my vortex of anxiety that I've lost sight of Jesus. This I know. And the words of Matthew 6:25-34 need to be posted on my fridge. I know that both my children are more important to God than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. I know that God loves my children perfectly and more than I do even though that's hard to imagine. I know that God has good plans for them. They are his children born in baptism, created by his hands, placed into my home so they can grow in wisdom and stature with God and men. What a privilege this is and what a comfort!
4 comments:
I know there has been previous discussion concerning Simeon's prophecy of a "sword" that would pierce Mary's heart...I wonder if Passover meals brought a prick of deeper meaning to Mary's heart and mind as she clearly understood what the event and meal were all about and that it would one day be the sacrificial death of her own Son, Jesus, with all the blood and pain and innocent death associated with all the ritual involved.
My thought is that the "piercing" was not meant to be a one-time experience but several throughout the life of her Jesus, her Savior, her Son.
"My thought is that the "piercing" was not meant to be a one-time experience but several throughout the life of her Jesus, her Savior, her Son." -- I think you're right!
Rachel, I promise - I'll read "The Bloodstained Path to God". :-) In fact, I have a subscription to that whole "Bible Discovery Series," but I haven't read many of them. Maybe those could start my Bible study plan for the new year.
The paragraph you quoted from p. 89 was also highlight for me in this chapter... the point that sometimes it seems like we can't find God in situations, but then, of course, he's not always going to address our problems in the way that we envision. His focus is on the business of saving souls! Like Isaiah 55:9 says, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, his ways higher than our ways.
This kind of thing has been a big blessing of this book for me this Advent. To look intently at each aspect of Mary's journey as a mother has showed me ways of looking at those oh-so-familiar events in a new light. Seeing different angles and applications has made the "old" stories sparkle in my heart! Thank you, Sarah, for writing this book. Thank you, Rachel, for choosing it for this Advent's book club. Thank you, Lord, for making it possible for me to be a part of it, and for speaking to me through your living and active word!
MommySu, Simeon's prophesied "sword" was also something that I thought of when imagining the agony Mary must have gone through during those 3 days when Jesus was missing. That's so much time to think and worry! The book suggested that Mary may have forgotten/doubted who Jesus was. During the course of 3 days, I would likely have had that thought at some point as well. But I think, even more agonizing would have been the idea that I had let down God and all of humanity by failing in my job as a mother to the Christ, thereby ruining God's plan of salvation! What if he was kidnapped? What if he was involved in an accident? What if Herod's son Archelaus ended up finding him???? And then, even if God's plan of salvation hadn't been foiled, what if this was the time it would be fulfilled? What did Mary know from prophecy about how that would all go down? Did she think perhaps that this could be the end of her time on earth with him? Can you tell this is how my mind works when I panic? I think of every possible angle of bad situation I can imagine - and quite quickly, I might add! (Kind of like Rachel mentioned.) My mind is quicker and more imaginative in these situations than in other situations when It would be useful for me to be quick and creative. :-)
RunningFromCrazy - I can't help but laugh at your last paragraph (in a good way) - It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who's mind has an active "creative" side to it:) All those questions you mention - possible thoughts that went through Mary's mind - you're right, those three days had to have been HORRIBLE with all those possible scenarios running through her mind.
I'm also loving the opportunity to look at these Bible lessons in a new light through this book. I'm so glad it's been a blessing to you, too! Praise God!
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