We don’t hear much about Mary the mother of Jesus after the story of the conception and birth.
We studied a lot about her at the beginning of the year, and we sang her praises for her faith and humility.
I imagine Mary was the most amazing and righteous mother to raise up a young Jesus in the truth.
I imagine her pangs of sadness when He left home.
I imagine the pride and joy that filled her heart every time rumors of what Jesus was doing got back to her.
I’m sure Christ came and visited and ministered to her many times.
Most people agree that her husband Joseph had passed away.
I imagine her unbearable sadness at losing such a righteous man that stayed with her, even when social custom forbid it.
I imagine Jesus comforting her during those times.
And then, after all she had been through, there He was.
Her perfect, righteous son of divine origin.
Hanging on a cross.
I can’t even begin to think of the emotions she felt, ranging from faith-filled hope to pure devastation.
And then I imagine Christ’s emotions while being exhausted and in pain, and seeing His mother.
Oh man.
With all the power that He holds, I’m sure it was difficult to hold back and finish His mission in that moment.
But instead of reaching out and performing a miracle on His own…
He asked His beloved disciple John to take her in.
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” (John 19:27)
We are told that often, Heavenly Father answers prayers and meets our needs through the people around us.
This is a beautiful example of Christ wanting to bless and save His mother, but, knowing that He couldn’t physically do that, delegating her well-being and care to a trusted friend.
Have we been given people to look out for?
Have we been told, “Behold, thy new friend”?
When we serve and care for each other, we are doing literally what the Savior would do if He could intervene in all of our lives and serve us personally.
It was a sacred calling for John to be asked to look after Mary.
And we are given sacred callings all of the time (formally or informally) to look after people around us too.
So let’s take care of Jesus’s loved ones with as much sincere concern and charity as we can.
For Him.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
2 Responses
This was so beautiful. Thank you Cali
<3