Sustaining Motherhood

Photo image courtesy Anneta Pinto

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” ‭‭

--John‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬-‭27‬

The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus has been told for centuries as it relates to her sacrifice in bearing Him as her Son before her marriage to His father Joseph. She was told by an angel that she would be pregnant by the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Her only curiosity was how this would happen given that she was still a virgin. Once the angel explained the phenomenon, Mary willingly accepted. In fact, after she visited her cousin Elizabeth who confirmed what the Lord revealed, she sang praise unto God. “And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬). God had done an awesome thing for her and she declared that all generations from her time onwards, would arise and call her blessed. Blessed she was as Joseph was warned in a dream not to put her away, but to take her as his wife. It happened that close to the time of her delivery, she needed to travel with Joseph to Galilee, in Nazareth, to be registered as part of a census. Given the volume of people who needed to travel during that time, there were no rooms available in a hotel or bed and breakfast for Mary to rest with Joseph and to give birth to her newborn.

Mary was humble enough to accept a stable with animals and gave birth to her Son. This was likely without medical aid or intervention in an unknown city where this birthing was unplanned. Mary cared for Jesus, kept Him safe and marveled when shepherds came to see Him based on a revelation from angels. She thought deeply about their visit with her and kept the occurrence close to her heart. She also marveled when they took Him to the temple to be blessed by the priest, who spoke of the fulfilment of the promise of His birth. “Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭34‬) The prophetess Anna also spoke concerning Jesus coming to redeem Israel and also gave thanks to the Lord. After these events were completed, they returned home and Jesus grew in strength and wisdom. At the age of twelve, He amazed scholars when He sat with them in the temple, asking questions and also having discussions with them.

As a result of staying behind in the temple, Jesus was left behind when His family traveled a day’s journey after the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. It was His mother who scolded Him when they found Him sitting among the teachers. She questioned His actions and told Him how anxious He had made them feel. Jesus’ response wasn’t what most mothers would consider helpful as He let her know that He was carrying out ‘his father’s business.’ He remained submissive to His parents for the rest of childhood, and we don’t hear much more about Him until He was 30 years old. Around this time, He was baptized and introduced by John the Baptist as the ‘lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.’ John wrote about an encounter between Jesus and his mother at a wedding in Cana in Galilee. The wine ran out and Mary asked Jesus for help. “Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come”” ‭‭(John‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬). She shrugged off His response and told the servants to do whatever Jesus commanded them to do.

Mary’s response at the wedding highlights that she was aware of His strengths and abilities. Nevertheless, it was only on this occasion, when she needed to save her friends from embarrassment, that she made a demand on Him publicly. I assume that Jesus would have performed many miracles at home before so that Mary knew what He was capable of. She is mentioned again when His brothers wanted to restrain Him when He was surrounded by crowds. Finally, at His crucifixion, she stood by the Cross in despair at the condition of her firstborn son. He made provision for her then and assigned the disciple whom He loved to care for her as His mother. There was something phenomenal about Mary which made her suitable to give birth to and to raise Jesus Christ. No other woman will ever have such a burden or sacrifice, nevertheless, the call to motherhood requires sacrifice and dedication. Like Mary, it is the duty of mothers to understand their child’s assignment and to help them to cultivate their gifts and calling.

Mothers are also to be cherished, nourished and cared for, especially in their old age after they have invested consistently in their children. “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9).