AGONY OF SUFFERING

Does it bring you comfort to realize Mary, the mother of Jesus, understands what it is like to watch a loved one suffer and endure trials in this life?  Her heart must have broken seeing Jesus beaten, scourged, and left to die hanging on a cross.   Mary watched first-hand the agony of suffering Jesus endured for your sins and mine.

In thinking about Mary, it brought to mind many I know who are experiencing the agony of suffering with their children.  They are watching them deal with cancer treatments, mental illness, making life choices, and heart issues at a young age.  We all have those we know dealing with the agony of suffering.

 

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”  And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.  –John 19:25-27  (NLT)

Jesus, close to death as He was hanging on the cross, acknowledges His mother and the agony she is experiencing watching her Son suffer.  Jesus assures Mary she is not alone, and John, the beloved disciple, is given the responsibility of taking care of Mary.  Mary and John are now “family.”   We are part of this family as well because of Jesus.

 

Photo courtesy of Lawrence OP under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Why did Jesus call Mary “dear woman” in the above Scripture?  There is one other place in Scripture when Jesus did this.

 

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”  “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  –John 2:1-5  (NIV)

In both Scriptures, Jesus may have called Mary “woman,” instead of mother, to show He was the Savior of the world for her and all of us.  He was being obedient to God, following God’s timetable.  Jesus did not want Mary, as His mother, to watch her Son endure the agony of suffering, but rather to see the glory of Jesus following God’s will.

 

Photo courtesy of Sharon Tate Soberon under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

I can’t help but think how Jesus is speaking to our lives as well with these passages.  Be assured and encouraged knowing:

• Jesus sees us in our agony and knows what it is like to suffer greatly.
• Mary understands the agony of suffering our hearts experience when our loved ones endure hardships.
• God provides “family” in our lives to come alongside us.
• God should be glorified, even in our agony of suffering.

 

How can we be “family” to those suffering?

• Lift people and situations to the Lord through prayer.
• Prepare and share a meal.
• Send an encouraging note or text.
• Assist with a project as needed.

 

I encourage you this week to remember in the agony of suffering:

• We are understood.
• We are never alone.
• We have family.
• We should glorify God.

 

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. –Psalm 147:3 (NLT)