Her Story is Always His Story: Behold, thy Son. Behold, thy mother.

This is part four of the Advent series, Her Story is always His Story. A four-part Bible study into Mary, mother of Jesus' life. This series is more of a Bible study than a devotional reading and I hope you will read along in your Bible. Take notes. Pray. Ask questions. And as we read and study together over the next few weeks, let us pray God will be glorified first and foremost, and our time in this study will prepare our hearts more deeply for the coming of our greatest gift, Jesus.

From the Manger to the Cross and Beyond

She stood at the foot of the cross with the other women and with one of Jesus’ disciples.  She watched Him as He suffered a horrific death.  Her heart–full of memories of the life she shared with her Son–God’s Son.   Simeon’s words when Jesus was only a baby warned her of this day–And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35) 

It was true–the sword not only pierced through His side–but her heart as well. 

Behold thy Mother! 

Scripture reading: John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! 

Then said He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto His own home. 

Before Jesus took His last breath, before He said the words, It is finished (vs. 30) He turned toward His mother and gave her care to someone else. 

Woman, behold thy son! 

He spoke to her in respect–in love–Thy–meaning “your”

Behold in Hebrew is Hinneh.  

Behold in Greek is Idou. 

And anytime the word, “Behold” is mentioned in the Bible, what follows is “of special significance” 

Behold, thy Son! 

And Jesus’ words to His disciple–the one He loved–

Behold, thy mother! 

He gave the care of His mother to another and He knew she would be cared for all the days of her life–loved and cared for by someone who would love her like his own mother–like Jesus loved her.

Now she is your mother. 

And from that hour that the disciple took her unto his own home. (vs. 27) 

Jesus was more than a Son to Mary–He was her Saviour. 

Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven

Bible reading: Acts 1: 9-14

And the book of Acts, the scriptures tells us she never stopped serving Him–

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.  

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.  (vs. 12-14)

Here she sat with Jesus’ eleven disciples and other women–praying and giving thanks. She continued on with His work–the mission of loving and serving and telling of God’s goodness, mercy, and grace. 

Making Room

Mary made room for Jesus–in her womb and in her life.  

Luke 1:46-50

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. 

And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. 

And in every story we read about Mary in God's Holy Word--every story includes Jesus.  He was always a part of her story.  In her heart. In Her womb. In His birth. His childhood--His adulthood--His Holy Work. His death. His resurrection. She was there and her story can’t be told without His story.  And isn’t that the way our stories should be written too?

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in an manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2: 7

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

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And a special note of thanks and a free hand-out for you on the story of Mary! Over the past year, graphic designer Jordan Cheek, owner of High Meadows Marketing has created some beautiful Bible Study Note sheets for my church's Women's Bible study group. Attached below is the PDF worksheet on the study of Mary. It can be downloaded and printed for note-taking. 

mary

.pdf

Download PDF • 960KB

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I pray each of you and your families have a

Merry Christmas

filled with rest, much joy, and many blessings.