The Laments of Women in the Bible – 5

Presented by Jenn Miller

As we continue to look at glimpses of lament from women in the Bible, today we come to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Shortly after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph presented him at the temple. While there, a man named Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to recognize baby Jesus as the long-awaited and promised Messiah. He prophesied Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many. But then Simeon turned to Mary and told her another prophecy: that a sword would one day pierce her own soul as well.

If you are a mother, you know how much feeling there is in motherhood. I remember having physical reactions to hearing my baby’s cry. You feel the pain of your toddler’s skinned knee. Mothers share the pain of a child’s rejection on the playground, or the deep hurts adolescence can bring.

Mary was no different—Jesus was her Savior, but he was also her firstborn son. Can you imagine the agony she felt at the cross as she watched her child ridiculed and tortured? It was a piercing sword to her heart. And Jesus saw her pain from the cross.

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved (John) standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (John 19:26-27).

In Mary’s deep lament, Jesus comforts her by sending her a person. This is a bit surprising because Mary had other sons and daughters who could care for her physical needs, but at this time, they did not believe in Jesus. Jesus gives Mary John as someone who can care for her soul.

Friend, one of the ways Jesus most often cares for his people in their lament is through his church. We are called to bear one another’s burdens. Will you give a fellow believer the privilege of walking with you in your pain? I pray today you and I will look for opportunities to care for others who are hurting as well as receive the care of the saints ourselves.