A friend recently shared a New York Times newspaper article, “What Mary Can Teach Us About the Joy and Pain of Life.” I found it thought-provoking, having a few messages relevant to our lives.
With the holiday season upon us, the story of The Birth of Jesus Foretold, in Luke 1:26-38, might be familiar. In a short version of the angel’s announcement to Mary we read:
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” –Luke 1:28-31 (NLT)
Consider what joy and pain Mary must have experienced with the angel’s greeting.
*The angel’s greeting is one of joy as Gabriel shares Mary is favored!
*At the same time, we learn Mary is confused and disturbed, wondering what her life was going to be like. She is already pledged to be married to Joseph and has not had relations with any man.
How will people view her?
Will they believe she is a virgin?
What will Joseph think?
Will Joseph divorce her?
How will she explain this to her parents?
Photo courtesy of Church Iglesia under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
When Jesus was eight days old, Luke 1:21-40 shares the story of Jesus Presented in the Temple. We know Simeon and Anna were both in the temple waiting for the “redemption of Jerusalem,” who they knew was Jesus. Simeon shared this message with Mary:
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” –Luke 2:34-35 (NIV)
What joy Mary must have experienced hearing Simeon and Anna confirm what the angel Gabriel had foretold. But what she must have thought of the words, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” What pain and sorrow would she endure? With the word “too,” we hear for the first time in Luke’s gospel that Jesus would endure joy and sorrow as well.
Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
We read in Luke 2:41-52 when Jesus was twelve years old and went with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover:
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. –Luke 2:44-46 (NIV)
What joy Mary and the family must have experienced while traveling together and at the Feast of the Passover. On their way home, how quickly sorrow must have overtaken them once they realized Jesus was not with them. The travel back to the temple must have seemed like forever.
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)
I have to imagine Mary was thinking back to the moment the angel announced her virgin birth and all the moments in Jesus’ life, which she treasured in her heart. Mary experienced continuous moments of joy and sorrow with Jesus, just as we do in our lives. At the cross, I believe she experienced the joy of knowing the Son she birthed was truly the Savior of the world, setting all humankind free from the bondage of their sin. At the same time, Mary experienced the pure agony of seeing her Son bruised, tortured, and hanging on the cross. What a helpless feeling not being able to help Him.
Jesus also experienced both joy and sorrow as He was hanging on the cross.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
What a powerful thought. Jesus endured joy and sorrow while sacrificing His life on the cross. What agony Jesus suffered from the beatings He received and while hanging on the cross waiting for His last breath. His joy of obedience to God’s will was much greater than the suffering He endured! I am sure Jesus was not feeling joyful hanging on the cross but He knew it had to be done so we can all live for eternity with God.
Ultimately, Biblical joy can be defined as joy that is dependent on who God is rather than our circumstances or who we are. Remembering that God is over all circumstances in our lives can produce joy even when we don’t feel joyful.
This week may you be encouraged to remember…
…God is always present in both our joy and sorrow.
…obedience to God’s will produces more joy than sorrow.
…our joy is solely dependent on who God is.
May these verses about joy and sorrow provide encouragement for you.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. –Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. –2 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT)
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! –Psalm 126:5 (ESV)
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! –Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT)
*My two-week break starts now! 🙂
