“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (NASB)
It’s All For Us
Nothing about this was right. This is not right, I tell you. I can’t just stand here as they mock my son, my Lord. How can I watch the soldiers divide his clothes and cast lots to see who will receive them? Is this some game to them?
Please, tell me this is a nightmare. Tell me I’ll wake up soon. No mother should have to watch her son die, let alone in such agony. Children are not meant to go first. How can this be happening? It’s not fair. This is not right.
I flung my body at Jesus’s bloodied feet. “Noooo, stop this. Someone stop this. That’s my son.”
I pointed and screamed again, “Don’t you know who He is? That’s Jesus, the Son of God. That’s the only hope for Israel. You must know this. You’ve seen his miracles. He’s innocent.”
The guards grabbed my arms and drug me back. As they did, I heard him cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
My heart pierced and I echoed his cry, “How can you make him endure this? How is this fair? God, do you hear me? Take this from him. You can. I know you can.”
As I looked up at my son, my boy, tortured, beaten, hanging on that rugged cross — blood dripping from his lips, thorns cutting his forehead, and his palms pinned straight through with spikes, he knew death was imminent. He told me I would see his glory, but I don’t see it. I only see horror.
My Jesus knew what was coming and he wasn’t surprised. He spent his life anticipating this moment: the cross. People denied him, mocked him, turned from him, and my Jesus chose this ending anyhow. Our rejection didn’t keep him from the cross.
But it’s so much worse than this momma’s heart could ever imagine. Do you see him up there? He’s up there for me. He came for me. It’s my sin for which he is up there dying, but he’s up there for you too, for your sin. He loves us that much. He’s baring our sins in his body on that cross and it’s all for us. His love poured out for us. Unfathomable, unending.
I sobbed until my voice couldn’t utter anymore sounds. My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. Three days of anguish, yet as I lay in bed, I remembered the promised words of my youth, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
I knew I would see him again.
The next morning, Mary Magdalene rushed to tell me words I couldn’t believe.
“I have seen the Lord. The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen.”
Is it possible? Can it be so? My trembling legs couldn’t hold me anymore. I dropped to my knees, arms raised towards the heavens.
Screaming with joy for all to hear, “He did it! He really did it! Death could not hold him. My Savior, my Redeemer is alive. Can you even believe it?”
I raced to tell others, “Jesus is alive. He has risen just as he said.”
Do you know Him?
Today of all days I ask you, Do you know my Jesus? He did it all for you so that you can experience life more abundantly – everlasting life.
Can you even fathom this sacrifice? How are you rushing to spread the Good News?
Thank you for letting me attempt a 1st person account of what Mary, mother of Jesus may have been feeling during these three days.
– Jen Schmidt, author at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, host of The Becoming Conference
Leave a Comment
Melinda Repp Sanderson says
Reading your account brought me to tears. I can see Mary in my mind’s eye, saying these things, her heart breaking. Amazed, she rejoiced with the wonderful news that her son, the God-man she raised from birth truly accomplished what He said he would. Thank you. Have a blessed Easter.
Jennifer Schmidt says
I hope you had a wonderful Easter too, Melinda. So thankful He rose for us. 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
Thank you for beautifully and agonizingly sharing what Mary must have felt. Any mother seeing her child go through something like that would have been horrified. I can’t even begin to grasp it. Especially knowing what she knew- knowing He was the Son of God and truly innocent of any wrongdoing. Yet Jesus went forward. He followed His Father’s plan to the end. He sacrificed not only His life, but His own Holy will to that of His Father. I pray that His sacrifice would live in my heart….that I would lay down my life, take up my cross, and follow Him. Less of me. More of Him. Not for my glory, but so that others would be directed toward Him. That is my Easter prayer. Thank you for this raw glimpse into the thoughts of Mary….may I carry that with me today as a reminder of what Jesus did for me.
Easter Blessings…He is RISEN!!
Bev xx
Susan @ Homestyle Faith says
Absolutely beautiful! Her perspective was unlike any other, and I love that you have shared your version with us. Thank you! As the Easter bunny makes his rounds today, may this stay in our minds and hearts. Happy Resurrection Day!!!
Stephanie says
Happy Easter to you all!!!! So grateful for your encouraging words and prayers every day! May the love of our Jesus be with you today and always and may we always remember because He lives so do we… ❤
Jennifer Schmidt says
Yes, Stephanie!!!! Because HE lives, so do we!! 🙂
Rebecca L Jones says
Jen, your “attempt” as you call it is great, I may give it a try myself. I held a baby boy the other day and can’t even conceive the horror of watching Him grow into manhood and experience that.
Beth Negrey says
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!
Jennifer Schmidt says
AMEN!!!!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
What a poignant look at Jesus’ death through Mary’s eyes. I often times have trouble fathoming why He would die such a horrible death for me–little old me.! I can’t comprehend why or how he was able to withstand all the pain and agony-for a world & people that didn’t seem to care for Him. What amazes me is that Mary said nothing. It is like she understood He had to do this. Perhaps she was in such shock & fearful of the Roman soldiers. Beautifully written. Praise God He is Risen! We know thanks to the empty tomb!!
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Schmidt says
SO thankful He died for the likes of little old me and you, right Beth? SO grateful for that empty tomb. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Angela Cook says
Jennifer, you might enjoy a song my husband wrote this year entitled “A Mother’s Love” that echos the thoughts you have so vividly expressed. My husband, William C. (Bill) Cook) wrote the lyrics, along with Jennifer McCallister of New Salem, and the song was a runner-up in the 2016 Singing News songwriting contest. You may listen on FB: New Salem or Angela Cook. We are blessed by your writing Thank you!