“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through his own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed.’” Luke 2:34-35
December 19, 2022
This is the week where an increasing amount of attention is given to the birth of the Christ-child, as it should be. Unfortunately, movies and too many local church Christmas programs get caught up in more sentimentalism than in the truth about the advent of the Savior. Consider Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary suffered pain so that her son, Jesus Christ, could suffer the pain of the cross (Matt. 1:21; Isa. 53). She suffered the pain of a misunderstood pregnancy. She, Joseph, and Jesus were slandered by accusations that Jesus was a bastard, an illegitimate child. Mary had to deal with this stigma, placed upon her by religious people. These were fighting words to Jesus. He responded by declaring the truth about his adversaries and who He really was (Jn. 8:41-47). Mary also suffered the pain of childbearing. Pregnancy involved morning sickness, a hard road trip while pregnant, and labor pains. Mary suffered the pain of hatred against Jesus. How does a mother feel when her son is under attack? People wanted to kill Jesus, and eventually succeeded (more about that later). We are to thank God for Mary’s spiritual maturity, understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures, and courage. But she, like all of us, needed a Savior. We, along with Mary, can take comfort in knowing that pain is a mercy, severely so, as it is an instrument in God’s hands working blessing to draw us nearer to the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3).
H
“O my Savior, Thou understandest my sufferings. I thank Thee that in Thy exaltation Thou feelest for me. I comfort myself in the sweet condescension and sympathy of Thy love.” P.B. Power, A Book of Comfort