No one could have prepared me for the experience this afternoon in the old city of Jerusalem. It is Good Friday and pilgrims from all over the world travel to the Via Dolorosa to experience the re-enactment of the Way of Suffering. My husband anxiously shouted to me in the midst of the frenzied crowd: “Don’t let go of my hand! I’ll lose you!” But it was impossible to stay connected. Oh, no, he’s gone. I panicked and the next thing I knew he grabbed me to his side and locked arms with me. I had never been in such a tight capsule of humanity as this. I could not move. At times, I could not feel the pavement beneath my feet. It was like I was lost at sea. Waves carried me this way and that. I lost control. The streets are so narrow and there are so many people; all I heard was singing and emotional wailing.
This was my Good Friday journal entry a few years ago. I returned to my hotel room in Jerusalem. I needed to relax after having been sandwiched by a crowd of tourists much like myself who not only wanted to see the Old City of Jerusalem, but experience the emotion of what it must have been like on this day of Jesus’ death over 2000 years ago.
Today I’m reflecting on another memory, a scene in the movie, The Passion of The Christ, where Mary, Jesus’ mother, is panicking as well. She is lost in the crowd and can’t get close to her son. Perhaps she doesn’t want to watch because it is too hard for her mother’s heart to bear. He had just been beaten, scourged and crowned with thorns and He is hunched over the heavy cross that he is carrying. Flashbacks of their interactions together in His childhood grip her. She is a mother who is watching her son. She is watching her innocent son take the fall for the sins of mankind. The scene is dramatic and emotional and she can’t get near Him. Frustrated, she says: “Help me get near him.” Finally, they bring her to a portal where she can meet with Him face to face. Hindrances overcome, they speak. She cries “I’m here.”
Today I tell the Lord: “Help me get near you. Let nothing stand between us.” He paid too great a price for me. I wrote in my journal today: “As I reflect on Jesus, my savior, I do not want any hindrances keeping me from being able to meet with Him, ever. I will not run, or pause or cover my eyes and tell him I cannot look within. No, I want nothing, “no thing” to stand in the way of my communion with my holy Savior. I don’t take His sacrifice lightly. He gave all He had to set me free. He gave His very life.”
Oh, how I cried. He washed me clean.
I contemplate His message to Mary. In the scene, He replies: “Mother! I make all things new.” I can’t stop thinking of His extravagant love for me. Like Mary, I want nothing to keep me from extravagantly loving Him back. I run to Him. “Jesus, I’m here”, I say.
Jesus has made all things new.
“The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. Jer. 31:31
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. Luke 22:20
This was my Good Friday journal entry a few years ago. I returned to my hotel room in Jerusalem. I needed to relax after having been sandwiched by a crowd of tourists much like myself who not only wanted to see the Old City of Jerusalem, but experience the emotion of what it must have been like on this day of Jesus’ death over 2000 years ago.
Today I’m reflecting on another memory, a scene in the movie, The Passion of The Christ, where Mary, Jesus’ mother, is panicking as well. She is lost in the crowd and can’t get close to her son. Perhaps she doesn’t want to watch because it is too hard for her mother’s heart to bear. He had just been beaten, scourged and crowned with thorns and He is hunched over the heavy cross that he is carrying. Flashbacks of their interactions together in His childhood grip her. She is a mother who is watching her son. She is watching her innocent son take the fall for the sins of mankind. The scene is dramatic and emotional and she can’t get near Him. Frustrated, she says: “Help me get near him.” Finally, they bring her to a portal where she can meet with Him face to face. Hindrances overcome, they speak. She cries “I’m here.”
Today I tell the Lord: “Help me get near you. Let nothing stand between us.” He paid too great a price for me. I wrote in my journal today: “As I reflect on Jesus, my savior, I do not want any hindrances keeping me from being able to meet with Him, ever. I will not run, or pause or cover my eyes and tell him I cannot look within. No, I want nothing, “no thing” to stand in the way of my communion with my holy Savior. I don’t take His sacrifice lightly. He gave all He had to set me free. He gave His very life.”
Oh, how I cried. He washed me clean.
I contemplate His message to Mary. In the scene, He replies: “Mother! I make all things new.” I can’t stop thinking of His extravagant love for me. Like Mary, I want nothing to keep me from extravagantly loving Him back. I run to Him. “Jesus, I’m here”, I say.
Jesus has made all things new.
“The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. Jer. 31:31
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. Luke 22:20
Thank you for that wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the pain Mary had to endure, though Jesus suffered the most. I'm so thankful to our Savior that as we can go near Him, we can also approach our heavenly Father because of what He had done. All the glory to our good God forever and ever! Have a blessed week, living victoriously each day. Thank You Jesus! Love to you sister.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. When I was 19 I remember praying that above all things, I wanted to come closer to Jesus. I love James 4:8 'Come near to God and he will come near to you.'
And only possible because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us.
This was so awesome Mary. I can not imagine how Mary, as the mother of Jesus could have possibly gotten through that time, period!!!! The momma in me can not even fathom it!!
ReplyDeleteOh Mary. I can't imagine. I sobbed so hard during the Passion. I was shaking and trembling in my husband's arms through the entire movie.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this and Happy Resurrection Day my friend!
Excellent thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAs a mother myself, I cannot imagine what His mother Mary must have gone through! Thank you for your wonderful post and have a Happy Easter, Mary.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
The mother of Christ, Mary, watched as her son, Jesus Christ was beaten and died for US as a substitute for or sins. I posted the video from the "Passion" on Seeking Grace. It breaks my heart to watch . . . but I believe it is important to show it . . . hopefully those who know HIM will be reminded of how HE suffered for our salvation . . . for those who do not know HIM . . . they will allow the Holy Spirit to stir their heart and ask for Salvation.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Bren
As Mothers ~ we have a heart to identify but only to a degree of what Mary had to be feeling....to watch your child be beaten, hated and yet she knew the Love HE had for all! No, there is no way we can imagine her pain! I know when watching the Passion my heart was breaking for Mary in sooo many ways!
ReplyDeleteI pray the same as you....let nothing ~ NO THING come between me and my Lord!
Bless you Mary and may you have a beautiful and glorious Resurrection Day with your precious family!
Prayers did go out for your precious daughter and granddaughter and praying you're all having a wonderful Sunday as we celebrate our victory because of what the Lord had done! Praising Him with you sister and be strong in the Lord's mighty power! Love to you and God bless you and your family abundantly!
ReplyDeleteMary:
ReplyDeleteThis just gave me chills and tears. What a reading for an Easter Sunday afternoon. Mary always comes to mind at both Christmas and Easter. I loved the words of Jesus ...'Mother, I make all things new'. It was her comfort and it is ours today!
Happy Easter!
Love,
Sonja
"Help me get near You Lord"...
ReplyDeleteMary, this entire message is tender and touching to my soul. I cried as I read...
Love you. Blessings to you this day.
Oh wow that was an amazing experience for you to share with us, thank you so much!
ReplyDelete