Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
I find myself pondering over verses about Mary. I have thought about her many times. What must it have been like? In Luke 1:31 (ESV) it states, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus”. Just imagine what it might be like being told you would bear the son of God. I often wonder if Mary truly comprehended the magnitude of what this meant. Mary was to give birth to her own redeemer, the Messiah.
I don’t think Mary fully understood what was happening at that moment. I’m sure she had doubts. I’m sure she was not sure what it all meant and how far reaching it would be. It would be very hard, no matter your faith in God, to comprehend that you would be bringing your own deliverer into the world. But even not fully comprehending, Mary had faith in God “and Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her”. (Luke 1:38 ESV) Mary did not understand but walked in faith with God and knew He had a purpose.
We further see that even though Mary did not fully comprehend, she did continue to ponder all that God was presenting her with. Once Jesus was born, and the wise men came and spoke of all they were told about Jesus and who He was, Mary still pondered it. In Luke 2:19 (AMP) it states, “but Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.” Mary never forgot. Mary followed the position God placed her in and did her best to raise Jesus ensuring His studies of the scriptures.
Even at the cross, Mary was there. Still a witness for the fulfilling of prophecy. As it says, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25 KJV). All of them were at the foot of the cross, including Jesus’ mother. She bore her redeemer and now she watched as prophecy was fulfilled. Doubt still filling her mind, but still she walked the path God set before her. And the first day of the week, Sunday, after resting on Sabbath, Jesus rose, and all was confirmed for Mary. She knew then, this was not her son, He was the Savior of the world.
Mary’s path was much like ours is. We are filled with doubt, questions. But if we walk forward with faith in our loving Heavenly Father, we will find His truth and His peace at Jesus second coming.