Reflection: Blood-ties

I’m sure there was no one in more agony, aside from the tortured three. Had we the eyes to see, we’d have known there was a dagger being driven right through her heart, there on the hill. Neither we nor the crowd had those seeing eyes … but her son did. Jesus saw. Whatever was crushing his body, mind and spirit in those hours, Jesus saw his mother. Jesus discerned both the battle and the blood ties.

He’s seeing her, alright. But it will take a few words to essentially jot his final will and testament. He pauses between pained phrases to almost poetically protect and honour his mother. “Woman, behold, your son!” “John, behold, your mother!”

Never was Jesus more human, and never was he more divine, than at this moment, in this place, at this time, when he spoke three simple words: “Behold, your mother!”*

And, as it turns out, never was Mary more deeply wounded, and never so blessed, than at this brutal event that pierced our world’s darkness and broke open the floodgates of salvation and joy.

Prayer:

“My soul magnifies you, Lord.

You’ve looked at me; you’ve discerned my humble state.
From now on I’m protected, cared for and eternally blessed.
Far from being crushed by the cross, you crushed Satan’s head.

I can’t but worship: holy, holy, holy is your name.

Victor, mighty to do great things,
You are merciful to all who fear you
from generation to generation to generation.

My spirit rejoices in you, God my Saviour.” (my paraphrase of Luke 1:46-50)

*John Piper