Tag Archives: Salvation

A Mother’s Perspective

Mother comforting small boy. Image by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash.
Image by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Bible Passages

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 (NASB1995)

51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:51 (NASB1995)

26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

John 19:26-27 (NASB1995)

Devotion

The love of God knows no boundaries. Although we are all His children, there was one man who was more than that. He came to this world to set it right. We celebrate his birth at Christmas. We remember his teachings. We commemorate his death. On Easter, we celebrate his resurrection. He was God on Earth. He was also a man. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

At Easter, we talk a lot about how much God loves the world, and the sacrifice He made for us. We hear little about the sacrifices of his mother. I often think about what it must have been like for Mary, mother of Jesus. Being a good Jewish girl, she would have been very aware of what the Torah (Old Testament) said of the Messiah. When the angel told her she was chosen to bear the Son of God, ancient prophecy must have flashed in her mind. She must have known her child would one day die a horrible death in order to save the world. Perhaps all this flashed through her mind at the time.

Perhaps, being a teenager, she didn’t fully think it through. Perhaps she didn’t believe she would outlive her child. Perhaps she decided not to think about the difficulties ahead, preferring instead to think only of the present and the joy and honor bestowed on her when she was asked by God, through the angel, to do all this. We can only guess. I believe she knew everything that was being asked of her when she, without hesitation, agreed, “let it be according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Over the next 30+ years, she stored up many things in her heart, according to Scripture. This is normal for any parent, especially in an age without video cameras, cell phones, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and the hundreds of other apps parents use now to record every first or cute thing their child has done today: smile, walk, run, school, trophy, belch, hiccup, etcetera, ad nauseum and add nausea.

Mary did not have any of those modern conveniences. She only had her heart and mind to store up the memories. I also think that, more than any other mother, she had good reason to store in her heart all the deeds and wonders as she watched her child grow and mature.

I believe she loved God so much that, though she must have dreaded having to see her son tortured and killed, she willingly agreed to see him through the human world with the loving, open arms of a mother. I also believe she trusted God enough to know He would see her through the daunting assignment of being the mother of the Living God.

The stories survive to this day, written down for those of us separated by generations from the actual event. Mary must have kept back many stories that were deeply personal between her and God. Some stories she shared with His followers. We know this because several of these stories wound up in Scriptures. She must have loved and trusted God deeply, for she took that giant leap of faith and gave birth to Jesus, helped him navigate the world as a mere human child, proudly saw him become a master craftsman, teacher and healer, then helplessly stood near him as he suffered and died on the cross. She then helped the others as they laid him in the tomb. She also watched as they sealed the tomb and set guards to watch over it and prevent anyone from opening it and stealing the body. She would have known that would not keep God from fulfilling His promise.

What joy she must have felt that morning when she was told He had risen from the dead, overcoming death itself! I don’t think she was surprised by His resurrection. I think she would have expected it. She was the mother of the Living God, after all. Her faith was strong. She had seen Him do other wondrous, miraculous, seemingly impossible things to fulfill Scripture. I think if she was surprised, it was about how the event transpired, not that it happened. She knew He was the Son of God. She knew He would live again. He was God. God never lies. She must have been a brave, strong and amazing woman!

Prayer Focus

Parents who have lost children.

Prayer

Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for saving me. Thank you for showing me how You want me to live. Help me remember to put You first in every aspect of my life, as You put me first in Yours. Help me to bring others to know Your love. Guide me to someone who needs my help today. Let me shine Your light boldly and brightly, so all will know You are mine and I am Yours. Amen.

Final Thought

Mary watched her son grow into the Messiah.

I Am Selfish

Selfish - Image by user18526052 on Freepik

Selfish – Image by user18526052 on Freepik

Bible Passages

Read Numbers 21:4-9.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.


John 14:6

Devotion

Yes, I confess. I am very selfish. I might not ever meet you in person, but you are my friend. I love you. I enjoy your company. I want you to have nice things. I want to see you succeed. I want to see you shine. It makes me happy to see you happy. I very selfishly want to be happy in your happiness.

My selfishness knows no boundaries. I don’t just want you to be happy today. I want you to be happy always and forever. It would make me very sad if I find out, when I get to heaven, you didn’t make it. My heart would break.

My wish for you is to make Jesus the center of your heart, as He is mine. By turning your heart over to Jesus Christ, you free yourself. Once you belong to Jesus, you are no longer a child of this world. You are free from worrying. Yes, we all still have worries, but that is by choice or habit. Jesus promised to take care of you always. However, we are not perfect. Things don’t go as we expected, so we allow doubt, fear, and worry to enter our thoughts. That’s okay. Just pray for strength and deliverance, praising God for being there with you during your times of trial.

Keep praying for deliverance and giving praise to God until your trial is over. I don’t mean stop praying. Never stop praying. Never stop praising God. He alone is worthy of prayer and praise!

Prayer Focus

People who don’t know Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me introduce you to my friends to You.

Final Thought

See you in heaven!

Palm Sunday

Bible Passages

Read Zechariah 9:1-17.

12 On the next day the large crowd that had come to the Passover festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took palm branches and went to meet him. They were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!”

John 12:12-13 (GW)

Devotion

Holy Week is an emotional roller coaster. Most of Christians know the story well. Jesus was very busy! On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the anniversary of the Messiah’s donkey ride into Jerusalem, when excited people ran out to see the glorious arrival of their Savior. They did not see the warrior prince they were expecting, however, and in the next few days changed their minds about him. They chose to send Him to His death by crucifixion. He overcame death, rose up from the tomb, hung around for a few days, then ascended into heaven, then sent the Holy Spirit to his followers. During Holy Week, we remember and celebrate each step of the process. Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday.

One of my favorite memories of Palm Sunday is making the lapel crosses the youth group made to pass out to members of the congregation as they arrived at the church on Palm Sunday. I think they are very cleverly constructed. I’ve always had an appreciation of clever. They are very simple and easy to make. They are made from two palmetto leaves, and take very little time to assemble. Everyone seemed to enjoy wearing them.

I tried to get my dad to make one on camera and post it online. Unfortunately, he could not remember how, nor could I. Others did remember how, though, and did manage to post some very good step-by-step videos on YouTube. Some are much fancier than the ones we made. Some were very different. It was interesting to see all the different ways to make a cross from a couple of leaves. Below are three such videos. Enjoy!

As we celebrate Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem, let us join in the fun, noise, and excitement that filled the streets on that glorious day. Let’s wave our palm fronds high and shout “Hallelujah, the Messiah has arrived!”

Prayer Focus

People welcoming Jesus into their hearts.

Prayer

My beloved Jesus, who gave Your life to save mine, I thank You. I am a sinner. You are my Savior. I am not worthy of Your love, but You give it to me anyway. I am Yours. Amen.

Final Thought

Hallelujah! The Messiah has arrived!

Video Lagniappe

A Full Day’s Pay

Rejoice

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 20: 1–16


Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:12

In a now-classic television show, Oprah Winfrey had a season of giving. With the help of her many sponsors, she gave gifts to each member of the audience. After a few shows, the audience knew about this, and expected to be given something for attending the show. The exact gift was always kept as a surprise, but it was always something fabulous.

I was part of a television audience a few years back. There was a strict timeline. Everyone had to fill out some paperwork (who are you, why are you here, emergency contact, etc.), shuffle through a security screening gate, and file into an elevator. It was the largest elevator I have ever seen. We then learned the elevator contained the entire audience for that show. Anyone arriving after the elevator started moving would be left behind, unable to be in the audience for that particular episode. We waited a few minutes before being transported up to the floor where filming would take place, as there were a couple of people still being processed. Once they arrived, we were all taken up to the studio at once, together. The late-comers got off first, as they were closest to the doors, and got to choose their seats first.

I am reminded of one of the Parables from the Bible. Jesus told of a man who hired a group of people, very early one morning, to work his vineyard, offering each a fair and full day’s pay. All day long, he hired on anyone else looking for work. At the end of the day, he handed each worker a full day’s pay, beginning with the last ones to arrive. Those who toiled all day were paid last, and also received a full day’s pay. Some of those laborers protested, saying they should be paid more for doing more work than those who came later in the day.

The man reminded them they had agreed to a full day’s pay in return for a full day’s work, so they had received their due pay, and had not been slighted. He also reminded them that the money paid was his to do with as he wanted. Just as in other stories taught by Jesus, and the late-comers to the television audience, those who got a late start were celebrated first by being first to get paid. For us Christians, our full day’s pay is an eternal home in Heaven with our Father, whether we arrive early or late. What matters most to God is we arrive.

Just like Oprah’s audience, once that final trumpet blows to call us Home after our labors are done, we know a special prize is waiting just for us. We can only imagine how great heaven is, but just like on Oprah’s show, we won’t know exactly what it will be until the end of the show. Just like on Oprah’s show, if you show up before the elevator leaves, you still get in, you still get to see the show, and you still get your reward, a one-way trip to heaven. Just like on Oprah’s show, if you miss the elevator, you lose.

Don’t miss the elevator!

Prayer Focus

Those without Christ in their lives.

Prayer

Dear Father Almighty, help me find my way to You and, along the way, to help others find You. Amen.

Final Thought

Don’t let the elevator leave without you.