Jesus and His Mother

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like with Mary, His mother? Any mothers who have sons, particularly as the eldest, may be curious about how this holy mother/Son relationship unfolded. He was her firstborn Son and the Son of God. What a calling she and Joseph were given! After Jesus’ birth, we continue to hear about Mary but little about Joseph. Perhaps it is because the disciples clearly knew Mary and could record more about her and her experiences.

As a mother of one precious beloved son, given to me by the Lord after years of longing, I am most interested in what can be learned from Mary’s relationship with Jesus. I trust some of you share my curiosity and potential from learning about this most critical mother/Son relationship. Any mother who cherishes their child, as she did, has a great influence on them.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was human, and by her own account, not at all noteworthy nor a person of stature. She was living an ordinary life when God called her to be the mother of our Savior and Lord. Mary’s humanity was given to our Savior so that He could overcome all, going through all life’s struggles with the rest of humanity. Those who deify Mary do away with Jesus’ ability to connect with us as God in a human.

Let us explore the unfolding of Mary’s parenting of Jesus and her ongoing relationship with Him. There are glimpses in the scriptures, but not a great deal about Jesus’ ongoing relationship with Mary. The account begins when Mary gets the heavenly message that she will become pregnant by the Holy Ghost, with the long-awaited Savior of the world:

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.’

Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.’

And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:30-38 NASB

Mary believed God’s word about the baby He would place in her womb. She really was His first convert! She knew from the beginning who Jesus was, bowing in obedience and worshiping God. The angel encouraged her by reminding her that He does the impossible, such as her aging, barren cousin, Elizabeth who had finally conceived and was now six months pregnant.

Mary immediately surrendered to God’s word to her, even though there was much she did not understand. Mary then visited her cousin, a wise decision as they were able to encourage and support each other with what God was accomplishing in both of them. Mary also received a further strong word of confirmation from the holy spirit through Elizabeth:

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.’” Luke 1: 41-44 Berean

Elizabeth and her unborn baby, the future John the Baptist, recognized their Lord was in Mary’s womb. The spirit flowed out of Elizabeth with excited confirmation of the word of God Mary had received, blessing Mary for her faith in believing God. Both were to give birth to sons with holy callings, with both sons destined for great work. Both died tragic and painful deaths because of their ministry. What a privilege, along with the incredible pain of losing their sons, both Mary and Elizabeth were given by God.

Wise men came to worship the newborn baby, also confirming what the angel of the Lord had spoken. Mary had a lot to think about concerning this precious Child.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him’…

for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel’…

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.After they {the wise men] had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. 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.” Luke 2:1-2; 5b-6; 10-11;19 Berean

Can you imagine all she might have wondered about with the magi coming to honor her Infant, sharing what God had told—and foretold—about Him? She held the memories of every word said about her Son, still a wee babe, in her heart. She pondered these wonderful things, keeping precious words close within. Most Christian mothers do cherish any word from the Lord about our children, holding them in our hearts, watching and waiting for how God chooses to fulfil them.

Then Mary and Joseph, as was the Jewish custom, took their firstborn infant, Jesus, to be circumcised and presented to the Lord. The firstborn son is an important position in any family and no doubt He held a significant place in Mary and Joseph’s family as well.

“And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord:

‘Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord’ and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Luke 2:22-24 Berean

At this baby dedication, Mary and Joseph heard more amazing words from two of God’s prophets. Mary and Joseph were so honored with these words from God’s messengers. One of them, Simeon, had been promised by God to see the salvation of his people before he died. God fulfilled this promise to Simeon as a witness to Jesus’ dedication in the temple. While His parents were dedicating Jesus, Simeon was anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak powerful, confirming words about the destiny of their Son:

“Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.’

The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: ‘Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall 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 soul as well.’” Luke 2:28-35 Berean

It’s interesting that Simeon spoke of Jesus being a light to the Gentiles as well as a glory to His people Israel. This was long before Paul brought the gospel to those who were not Jewish, a true word, though years passed before it came to pass. From infancy on, Jesus was set to reveal the thoughts of many and He is still doing that to this day. Simeon prophesied to Mary that while her Son, Jesus, would do great things, He also would face adversity and it would pierce her soul—her will, thoughts, and emotions.

Anna, a prophetess of God who was always in the temple, also came forth to affirm that Jesus was the salvation of Israel, the promised Savior they had been waiting for.

“There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four.

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38 Berean

Like any Christian mother, Mary remembered these words from God about her Son, cherishing them in her heart as she and Joseph raised Him. How marvelous it is for parents to receive a word from the Lord when their child is dedicated to Him! She surely wondered at what was predicted as well, how and when God would bring these prophetic words into reality. Regardless of not knowing how all these words would unfold in fulfillment of God’s promises about her Son, she remembered them, believed them, holding them in her heart.

She must have particularly considered the prediction that her “heart would be pierced.” This is the first time something is recorded that hints at His suffering and crucifixion. Such words had to be overwhelming, concerning as well as joyful. Mary is forewarned that many will come against this precious One laying in her arms. So, Jesus’ mother and father took these words with them as they returned to their home in Galilee to raise the Son God had given them.

As Mary cared for first, the baby, then the toddler, then the little boy, she knew who He was. She surely could see God in His eyes as well as the wisdom beyond His years that He displayed. Jesus grew up differently, showing forth His Father’s nature even as a child.

“… the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40 Berean

Jesus, the God-man, was different from the beginning. There are not many young boys who display wisdom and grace as they grow, but it is not surprising that our Lord did. He surely was wise beyond His years because of Father God, though wisdom usually comes with age. Having a Child who displayed grace and wisdom from His heavenly Father made Him unique among His siblings and friends.

As time went on, the next occurrence of Mary’s involvement with Jesus is as a precocious twelve-year-old being taken to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. The family did this every year, so the trip was nothing new to Him. What Jesus did there could sound like an independent twelve-year-old going his own way instead of following His parents’ directives, but that was not His intent:

“Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.

Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. ‘Child, why have You done this to us?’ His mother asked. ‘Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.’ ‘

‘Why were you looking for Me?’ He asked. ‘Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?’

But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:41-52 Berean

Can you picture Mary and Joseph leaving for home and not realizing until a day later that Jesus was not among the group with whom they were traveling? Apparently, by this age, Jesus was not expected to be by their side at all times. This time, however, they could not find Him for three days! Think of how frantic any parents would be if their child disappeared in a city they were visiting for this long. He surely did not intend to cause them distress and never did it again.

How “astonished” Mary and Joseph were when they found Him in the temple, asking questions and understanding the teachings of His Father! He was equally surprised that they would not know where He was. Of course, He had to be in His Father’s house! Mary again treasured these things in her heart. She remembered, she thought and prayed, going over them before God, recalling and seeking to understand. Like any mother with an astonishing child, she was amazed and puzzled by all that was said and happening concerning Him.

After this, Jesus reassured His earthly parents with His obedience. It was not an intentional rebellion nor a habitual behavior. He had never done anything like this before and there’s no account that He did anything like it again. But Mary…she was continally putting all of this together. She did not know the details, but she knew Who He was and that He was destined for great and powerful things. If His entire future had been revealed to her at the time of these events, she would not need to ponder their meaning.

There are many significant events in the life of Jesus recorded after this before Mary appears again in the scriptural accounts. He grew up and went into the family business, being the eldest of the family. He worked with His father Joseph as a carpenter while living His life as a young adult in the Jewish community. It was an ordinary life, much like any other young Israelite males, raised in all the Jewish traditions and laws.

But unlike most pictures of Him, He was not likely a blue-eyed, blond-haired handsome man who stood out in the crowd. The prophet Isaiah said:

“He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:2-3 Berean

We know very little about the years from age 12 until He was 30 though Isaiah seems to say Jesus was not a “standout” among the people. We don’t know if Jesus talked with His mother during these years about what God was doing in His life. We don’t know when He left the carpenter work with Joseph. We know little of his relationship with his brothers and sisters. It is just not provided for us in the scriptures.

As time grew close to the revealing of His ministry, however, He passed the temptations in the wilderness and was baptized by John. John’s words confirmed that this One is Jesus Christ the Savior:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:13-17 NIV

After this, Jesus began to call His disciples to leave their daily work and follow Him. There is no account of Jesus talking with His mother during these events, though that may have occurred. Some also speculate that Joseph died during these years, but there is little to go on about Joseph’s fate. It is nice to think that Jesus stayed close to His mother, particularly if Mary was widowed, but we just do not know.

Jesus did have siblings so Mary was busy raising her other children, making it less likely she was with her Firstborn in His later adult life until His ministry was revealed. But Mary reappears as the central figure in the beginning of His ministry unfolding in the sight of others. There came a wedding in Cana, to which Jesus and His disciples were invited. His mother, Mary, was also attending this wedding.

“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 ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, ‘They have no more wine.’

‘Woman, why does this concern us?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’” John 2:1-5 Berean

This is a significant passage worth pondering in our own hearts. There are several key things implied by this short exchange between Mary and her Son, Jesus. First of all, Mary knew He could turn the water into wine when she asked Him to do it. Even though He said it wasn’t their business and it was not yet His time, she told the servants to do what He said. Was this her considerable faith in the One God had allowed her to birth? Had He done these things before in private?

Mary asked and was completely confident that Her son would answer her request. Even though Jesus mildly chastised her because it was not yet time for God’s glory to be revealed through miracles, His mother ignored His protest by turning to the servants to direct them to do whatever He told them to do. They did as He said and the wine was the best that the wedding guests had consumed!

As the gospel of John states, Jesus “thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

“Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim. ‘Now draw some out,’ He said, ‘and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!’

Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:6-11 Berean

Jesus did His first known miracle, turning the water into wine, at His mother’s request. Her absolute faith that He would do as she asked is obvious. Mary had confidence that her Son, Jesus, would listen to her and that all would unfold as the servants did what He told them. How she must have anticipated the day that the rest of the world would know and believe, as she knew and believed all those years.

What a waiting period to see the fulfillment of God’s great promises for Her firstborn! Jesus and His mother appear to have remained close despite His age and independence. Because she had cherished all that had already been said and happened in her heart, her faith was complete. In several writers’ exploration of the meaning of this passage, however, they suggest that Jesus, the Son of God and man, was rude to His mother, rebuking her.

But we do not know the tone of voice, the look on His face as He said this to His mother. Jesus would not be the first adult Son to mildly protest at a mother’s request but, regardless, she pays no attention to her Son’s response. She proceeds as if He had agreed, confident that He would do what she asked. She seems to know and count on her Son’s heart, a closeness where she fully expected Him to grant her request.

Mary was the first to know who He was, with an intimate knowledge that His earthly parent, Joseph, did not have. It seems fitting that she was at the beginning of His ministry, when His glory was revealed. In the days to come, the gospels record how she was able to follow His ministry. How her heart must have rejoiced at the miracles and the acclaim, the growing belief of others that Jesus Christ is the Savior. These were wondrous, precious times.

The disciples knew her as a fellow believer who followed Jesus as her Lord, right along with them. Then we begin to see more than one sign of the changes to come. The crowd of followers who thought He was to be their earthly King became disillusioned. They did not understand His spiritual kingdom. His teachings in parables had deep spiritual meaning that they had no “ears to hear.”

The Hebrews of that time were looking for a literal restoration of the Hebrews as rulers of the age, someone to free them from Roman domination. There was growing resistance and rebellion in the crowds around Him, fueled by the jealousy and fear of the established Jewish religious leaders of the time. Many could not see past their earthly hopes, rejecting the ministry Father God had given Him and its importance for the future of all mankind.

Jesus’ words are spirit and truth, and most did not have a heart prepared to hear Him by the spirit. The Jewish leaders knew He had no respect for them and was a threat to their authority and leadership. Jesus never rebuked sinners, but He spoke often and bluntly about the hypocrisy of these leaders, revealing their heart motives. We begin to see, following the miracle of feeding the 5,000, many falling away.

Jesus had ministered this word about being the bread of life and the wine, His blood, shed for all. Most did not understand what He meant, not having spiritual ears to hear.

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.’

Jesus said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of His disciples said, ‘This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. However, some of you do not believe.’ (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

Then Jesus said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.’ From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” John 6:53-66 Berean

Jesus had gone too far in the estimation of many of His followers. Indeed, the further we walk in the things of God, the less other religious people understand us, the greater the price—and the eventual reward! They did not comprehend His words were spiritual rather than literal. It was not what they were hoping for.

But Mary and one of His brothers, James, continued to walk with Him and soon witnessed further betrayal, this time coming from Judas. Though Jesus always knew what was in the hearts of His disciples, it had to hurt deeply to have those with whom He walked so closely fall away, one of them betraying Him. He turns to the remaining disciples and asks if they are going to leave Him, too:

“So Jesus asked the Twelve, ‘Do you want to leave too?’ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.’

Jesus answered them, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.” John 6:67-70 Berean

Here’s the beginning of sorrows, a heavy, burdensome time for our Lord. What a sad statement He makes here about whether the others would leave Him, too. It came from His human heart as He anticipated what was to come. The human part of our Lord feels all the feelings that others feel when those they love, their closest friends, betray and abandon them. The multitudes left Him and many no longer followed Him.

Jesus knew the time for His death by crucifixion was drawing near. How many with great ministries need to know that Jesus understands about changes like this, when God moves on and their former work for Him is done? God did not lift humanity from His only Son. He required this humanity so we would absolutely know Jesus was like us in all things except sin.

His earthly work showed that a man with God fully in him could overcome sin to be united with His Divine Father. He had to suffer as all humans suffer, so He understood what it is like for the rest of us. We need to know that our High Priest has gone through what we do on this earth.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 Berean

God is not tempted but Jesus was. Jesus knows. He knows! He does understand what we are going through because He has been there. And now Mary’s heart was beginning to be pierced with what Her son was experiencing also. We can identify with her mother’s heart aching for what Her Son was suffering, even though she knew it was for the highest purpose in God. It would be most difficult to bear to watch your beloved Firstborn be rejected and betrayed, suffer and die young, even with knowing God’s plan for Him as the Messiah.

Any parent who knows their child is destined to die for any reason can particularly relate to the heart of Mary during this time. Christian parents have children born with a condition that will take their lives far too soon to know what this is like. Others watch their beloved children suffer and die in multitudes of ways on this earth. Parents whose children are called to dangerous occupations live with the heightened risk of losing them on a daily basis.

Jesus is able to comfort all through each fear, sorrow, and trial of this life because of what He experienced. We can go to our Lord with great confidence, knowing that He really does understand. Though Jesus had God the Father with Him, He was not spared any of the suffering humans go through. He was also denied many things most of us have: a spouse, children, a family home. It was for this very purpose He came through the womb of a woman. God could have sent Him without this, but it is essential that He had a human side from Mary so we can connect with Him.

God so loved the world that He gave His son to save us! Think of it! Though He was divine, Jesus knew what it was like to be tired, to be hungry, to be weary of unbelief, to lose fellowship and companionship, and to grieve at close relationships changing. He knew what it was like to have no spouse, no children, like many others had to enjoy. We cannot limit or excuse our lack of growth and change by saying, “Well, that was Jesus and He was God. We don’t have what He had.”

We do not yet have all that Jesus had, the fullness of Christ within to be face to face in intimate fellowship with the Father as He was, but He made the way for just that. If He did not know the sufferings humans go through, the scriptures would be false. Through His humanity born of Mary, Jesus is the Firstborn of many brethren. His work is to bring us back to the Father Who is to dwell among us.

“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:28-29 Berean

Mothers often feel deeply about what their children are going through. Mary, a faithful follower as well as His mother, went through it all with Him. How she must have cried with dread and feared for her Son in the coming days before His arrest. Certainly, she prayed for Him. Mary had to bear up under all that was unfolding in Jesus’ life. Many parents say they would rather suffer pain, affliction, and illness themselves than watch one of their children do so. As His mother, Mary bore the pain and suffering He was going through along with Him. It had to be very difficult, regardless of faith in the plan of God and the outcome of all the suffering He was to experience.

Jesus did tell His disciples that He would be crucified at Passover but their reactions when it happened reveal how little they understood what was destined to unfold. How could they know? No human had seen such events unfold for an innocent man. Understandably, they wanted Jesus here on the earth with them. They loved Him and the days of His ministry had been glorious.

Perhaps, too, some of them thought He would use His power to avoid any actions that would come against Him. But even Peter did not understand that Jesus must be crucified. He did not comprehend that the Jewish leaders and community, wrongly blamed as a people for centuries for His death, were being used by God to accomplish His salvation of the world.

What the Jewish leaders influenced the people to do was evil. They truly were “of their Father, the devil.” But God had a higher plan, crucial for all of us, meant for good, defeating the evil intent of the Jewish leaders and the crowds of that era. Mary was aware of this but what a devastating witness to His horrific sufferings she had to endure. After our Lord’s ordeal in prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas, His betrayer, and the Roman soldiers came:

“Friend,’ Jesus replied, ‘do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?’

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.’

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.” Matthew 26:50-56 Berean

Jesus calls Judas “friend” despite knowing the betrayal to come. Jesus was not forced to go through the arrest, torture and crucifixion. Jesus knew Judas had to do what he was to do. He tells his disciples that it must happen this way, it’s the Father’s will that events unfold to fulfill the scriptures about Him. What an overwhelming and painful time when Jesus could not even expect His closest companions, His disciples, to stay with Him. He knew His Father could save Him but would not, because of the higher purpose He was to fulfill.

Jesus chose obedience unto death, submitting His own will to fulfill all that was required of Him. How this speaks to us when we are suffering, facing a painful future, knowing God could save us from it but chooses not to do so. He enables us to endure, to submit our will to God’s, to be obedient through our sufferings. We are not alone, but Jesus was truly alone in the spiritual preparation of the greatest event in history.

All desert Him as He is arrested, every single one. It was a fearful time and, really, what could any of them do against the power of the Roman authorities? Jesus knew they would abandon Him, He understood, and yet it still hurt.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Matthew 26:13 Berean

Jesus endured the cruel treatment of the Chief Priests who directed soldiers to whip Him. He was stoic before the crowd who demanded His crucifixion. He said little as He was mocked, ridiculed, stripped and whipped, then put on the cross to die. The disciples were around but there is not an account of Mary being specifically present, though she likely was nearby. She had been a part of His ministry, one of His followers from the beginning.

Think of the anguish she went through as she had to helplessly witness her Son being so cruelly treated and dying painfully on the cross. Surely Mary recalled the words of Simeon about her soul being pierced as these events unfolded. This speaks to the hearts of every Christian parent who has had to watch undeserved suffering and death happen to their children.

Even though Mary knew the prophecies, and knew what Jesus said would happen, she did not know, likely could not imagine, the details of all He would endure for our sake. This had to be more than most of us could bear. Mary was at the foot of the cross, watching her beloved Son dying a painful death, as recorded in the gospel of John:

“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’

Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27 Berean

Our Lord Jesus Christ was mindful of His mother, Mary, even while dying on the cross. He had concern and compassion for her, asking her to see John as her son and John to accept her as his mother. He knew His mother would want to stay with those who also believed and followed Him. If she was a widow, she may no longer have had a home to which she could return or anyone to care for her. She had other sons, but other than James, none were disciples.

Mary is not mentioned at the time of His appearing before He ascended into the Spirit. But she was there, along with Jesus’ brothers, in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell:

“When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:13-14 Berean

What can this relationship between Jesus and His mother teach us today? It reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ was really a man, born into a family, raised by a mother who loved and nurtured Him, taught religious principles and trade by His earthly father, Joseph, later working in the family business. As we look at these accounts, the reality of flesh and blood people going through this time comes into sharper focus.

Mary was a mother, like many of us, and Jesus was her Son. Their earthly relationship is something we can understand and identify with as parents. We also recognize the people of Jesus’ time did not have the holy spirit to guide and direct them through these difficult days, to illuminate their understanding of such momentous spiritual events until after His resurrection and return to them by the spirit.

Those who have children who suffer and even die though innocent of wrongdoing, know that this is what Mary, too, experienced. We are in awe of what God required of Mary and respect her obedience and faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

Consider the words of this beautiful and powerful song:

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak. the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am.

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? Oh…)”

(Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene / William Barclay / Wayne Buchanan / Courick Clarke / Savory Lamont).

We wonder, today, asking our Lord Jesus, “what did Your mother know?” We who are mothers especially ponder this before God. Though there is only a little revealed in the word, we can glean from what is there that she was a most important person to her Son, an incredible woman of faith.

May God bless us in our contemplation of this mother-Son relationship.