Bible Parents —The Faithful-Though-It-All One

Luke 1:46-49
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.

Luke 2:17-19
When (the shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Mary! What an amazing life-story: her teenage willingness to let God do something extraordinary to her so that God could have human form; nurturing the child who was Messiah and would become Saviour; prompting his first miracle (the Wedding at Cana); accompanying him to the foot of the Cross, and being present in the desolation of the upper room before Jesus appeared and when Pentecost happened.

What a deep debt of gratitude we owe her. In Luke's birth narratives, we're told 'Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.'' *

But she clearly didn't keep all her extraordinary experiences to herself. If she hadn't shared them, how would we know of the very private annunciation, the visit to Elizabeth, the details of Jesus' birth, the temporary exile in Egypt, or losing him in Jerusalem aged 12?

We don't know to whom she passed these precious memories - was it to John, in whose care Jesus had placed his beloved mum as he hung on the cross - ' Look, your son; look, your mother.'** (What love!) Or did Luke get to interview her directly?

It doesn't matter. In the power of the Spirit, Mary shared the treasure of her first-hand knowledge of Jesus.

She didn't always understand fully her son's divine mission. When she found him In the Temple at 12, she was puzzled.  Later, during his ministry, urged by other family members, she tries to 'rescue' him from the crowds, fearing for his sanity.***

But hear the last recorded words of Mary - to the servants at the Cana wedding, 'Do whatever he tells you!'

As Mary did, so may we
treasure up all the experiences we've had of God's goodness
share them when we're given opportunities.
do whatever Jesus tells us.

Prayer - Thank you, Lord, that Mary was faithful through it all. May that be true of me.

*Luke 2:19    **John 19:26-7    ***Mark3:21