A four part series of Bible studies by Pastor Stephen.
See also:
- Study 2: Mary Magdalene
- Study 3: Claudia, wife of Pontius Pilate
- Study 4: The Daughters of Jerusalem
Study 1: Mary, the Mother of our Lord
Raphael's Crucifixion [1502-3] shows Mary, the mother of our Lord, in the background on the left.
Necessary background: Getting Your “Marys” sorted out
It seems that there are at least four separate and distinct Marys we know of who are associated with Jesus in the Gospels and it is easy to get tripped up as you read the Gospels about who is meant sometimes. There is still debate among the New Testament scholars about some points in this regard.
The synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke, who borrow heavily on one another’s content) do not specifically record any significant involvement or words or actions by Mary in the actual passion history of Jesus, though it is hard not to assume that she was present in the events leading up to Jesus’ death or at least not too far away, since she had followed Jesus from Galilee along with other women.
Matthew and Mark mention other Marys though – women of the same name who were not the mother of Jesus:
- Matthew mentions Mary – mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 27:56) – whom he calls "The other Mary" (Matthew 27:61;28:1). She too had followed Jesus from Galilee and watched from a distance, together with Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was also among the women who went to the grave to anoint his body. According to John 19:25, she was a sister of Mary, Jesus' mother, and the wife of Clopas (however the wording of this verse is ambiguous and there is debate over its meaning).
- Mary of Magdala is mentioned by name by Matthew, Mark and John, as present when Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:55-56). Along with the other Marys she too was to be involved in the anointing of Jesus Body after his death.
- Note that Mary of Magdala is not the same Mary who anointed Jesus feet at Bethany in John 12. This woman (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) appears to be a distinct Mary apart from these others.
Mary at Jesus’ passion
It is John’s Gospel, however, that records that Mary the mother of Jesus, was indeed present at his passion and crucifixion, and that Jesus gave her into the safe keeping of the apostle John (John 19:26).
The only specific mention of Mary, the mother of our Lord in the actual Gospel passion accounts is in John 19:25-27.
Read this verse and visualise this situation.
- What is said and by whom?
- What strikes you about it?
It is hard for us to imagine Mary’s suffering – the old proverb about “mothers feeling their children’s pain more intensely than the children themselves” brings her grief into sharp focus. Can there be any greater tragedy for a mother than the death of her child?
There is a very old, powerful and poignant piece of church music, written in the 13th century, which seeks to give us an inside look at Mary’s experience: the “Stabat Mater”. Here are some excerpts:
At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
Mary’s life experience
But there is much more than grief and pain in this woman standing at the cross. People are always more complex than this.
To understand Mary as she stands at the foot of the cross where her son is being tortured, you need to look at the way she has been formed for this moment by God, through her whole life experience, and the way in which God has equipped her for the role she has had to play in his plan.
How do these verses add to our understanding of her as a real person of faith?
Read Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) in Luke 1:46-55.
- How can Mary’s joy in these verses be reconciled with the agony and sorrow she must be feeling at the cross of her son?
The artist Raphael often painted scenes from the Gospels, with an acute eye for what is going on at the deeper level.
- In his crucifixion scene (above) what strikes you about the figure of Mary in the background on the left?
- In contrast to the others in the picture, what is conveyed by her posture and position?
Reflection
- What qualities and gifts do you see in this woman that you would like to have or have more of in your own life?
- How does Mary’s larger perspective on Jesus’ and her own suffering point the way for us in our times of tragedy and sorrow in life?
- What experiences has God given you over your life to equip you for your roles and callings in life today?