How Did Mary Feel?

April 16, 2014 | By Chuck

"How Did Mary Feel?" I love to preach on the cross. The cross is the central theme of Christianity and one of my favorite topics. I've studied the cross for years always looking at it from the standpoint of what Jesus endured and all that we received as a result. Jesus went through so much pain and agony on the cross for you and me. It's hard to describe and even put into words all that Jesus endured during those six hours on the cross. The crown of thorns and the nails that pierced through his flesh had to bring unimaginable pain and anguish to our Lord. Jesus" time on the cross was brutal and must have seemed unending. How did Mary feel? Have you ever considered how Mary, the mother of Jesus, was holding up throughout this brutal episode? John records that Mary was watching this whole scene unfold. "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother."(Jno.19:25) It's heartbreaking to watch a loved one die but I can't imagine what Mary must have gone through. She not only watched her son die but watched him be tortured. When we lose a loved one we normally have mementos such as pictures that serve as a reminder of our departed loved one. Mary didn't even get to keep her son's clothes. "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."(Psalm 22:18) What was taking place before Mary's eyes was totally out of her control. All Mary could do was stand by and watch the death of her son. There is no doubt that Jesus endured much pain on the cross. I think the thing we tend to overlook about the cross is the pain that Mary felt as she stood by watching. Chuck Ball