Showing Up

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

In case you hadn't realized, it's Mother's Day on Sunday.  And while the greeting card companies may have a lot to do with how this occasion is celebrated in the US, I think we can all agree that mothers should be celebrated.

Perhaps it is because Resurrection Sunday fell late this year, but a particular event in the life of a particular mother is what's been on my mind heading into this Mother's Day weekend.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, clearly wins the award for the most significant mother in the history of the world.  And I believe there are a lot of important lessons we can learn from her, and from the way Scripture references her.  

Today, though, I just want to consider Mary - at the cross.

The Scriptures tell us that she was there.  

And honestly, this mama's heart can't even fathom what that must have been like for her.  As I try to type these words, my heart is just breaking for her.  How do you stand by and watch your son be executed?  

If that had been me, I think I would have gone "mama bear" on the Roman soldiers!  I'd probably have ended up getting my own self killed, or, at the very least arrested.

But if I hadn't been killed or arrested before they got to Golgotha, I don't know that I could have stayed.

Mary stayed.

She was looking on as unthinkable things were being done to her son.  She saw him injured, in unspeakable pain, bleeding.  And there was nothing she could do about it.

But she stayed.

All she had to offer in that moment was her presence, and so that is what she gave.  It was her final gift to the special boy she'd given birth to just about 33 years prior.  

These three verses from the book of John give us a bit of insight into Mary's relationship with her firstborn.  Clearly, they were close.  Mary was blessed to have a front row seat for the greatest moments in history, and clearly her son cared for her.  Thus He initiated one of the most painful yet beautiful adoption stories of all time, right from the cross.  

I've always found this a little puzzling.  We know that Mary had other sons.  It would seem that they should have been the ones to look after Mary when Jesus was gone.  And we know that John had a mother - she'd asked Jesus for special consideration for her sons.  

So why did Jesus assign responsibility for His mom to John?

Here's my best guess - and it's only a guess, so take it with a grain of salt.  Even in His human form, Jesus remained God.  Omniscient, He already knew the fate of His brothers and of the other disciples.  Perhaps, knowing that John would live out his life and eventually die a natural death, Jesus gave John charge over His own mother.  He placed her in the care of the disciple who was going to outlive Mary.  Maybe.  

Whatever the underlying reason for this adoption story, Jesus's love for Mary was obvious.

As was her love for Him.

On a day where I might, at best, have been found huddled in a dark corner somewhere weeping, Mary showed up.

She showed up.

For the most excruciating moments of her son's life - and without a doubt the most excruciating moments of her own life - she showed up.  She stayed.

She was with Him at the moment of incarnation.  She carried Him from conception to birth.  And she stayed.  

Through it all.

I think that's the lesson I want to take from Mary this Mother's Day - this lesson in showing up.

To the young mom who is exhausted and just wants a full night's sleep and five minutes to herself - keep showing up.  To the mom of teens who have her wanting to pull out the hairs that haven't prematurely grayed in this season - keep showing up.  To the mom whose adult children don't need her the same way anymore, who don't call, who may have strayed, struggled, or rejected her - keep holding onto hope, and keep showing up.

So today, whether you're a mother or not, woman or man, Mary is such a great example for us all.  Her selfless nature, her inner strength, and her dedication to show up in the most painful and difficult moments of life - these are values to challenge us all.

And just know that this same Jesus who had a plan for caring for His own mother has a plan to care for you too.  Trust Him, and just keep showing up.

Just a thought...