Carrying his own cross, [Jesus] went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS… Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

John 19:17-19, 25-27 NIV

As the future of her precious son grew more bleak, Mary waited nearby for news, speculating, praying, crying. I imagine she knew of (if not even witnessed) his betrayal by a friend, the mockery of a trial, the false accusations, the severe beating. She followed as he staggered to carry his cross, felt every horrifying hammer pound and shivered with each agonizing breath. She heard the insults hurled at him, watched the soldiers gamble for his cloak and taunt him. And she gazed on him as he took his last breath.

How her body must have hurt. How she must have wanted to make the pain stop, hold him in her arms, tell him it would be alright. Did she doubt? Did she wonder if she heard the angel right? In all her remembering and pondering, did she imagine this? Was this really the way of salvation? Where was the crown, the throne, the scepter? When would these awful Romans be overthrown? Torn! Pierced!

Mary wasn’t going anywhere. When no other family members were there, and all male disciples except John had turned and run, Mary stayed with her son. Even God forsook him (Matt 27:46), but not Mary. (Can I say that?) She could not alleviate his suffering, but she could comfort with her presence.

But as Mary was pierced, Jesus was pierced for her. As her soul was wounded, his wounds paid the price for her soul. As Mary’s presence comforted her son, his provision for a new family comforted her. As her heart broke for her son, so his heart broke for her. Jesus knew the pain of his mother’s piercings. And Jesus’ piercings are for you and me as well. He understands our pain and our piercings.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 2:18 NLT

REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

How can you relate to Mary in the loss of her son? How has Jesus’s suffering alleviated yours?

PRAYER

Jesus, our sacrificed Lamb, thank you for suffering and being pierced for us. You died that Mary might be saved. You were pierced for my sins. Your wounds have healed me. Thank you that Mary found salvation through all her and your piercings.

Next: Waiting

For an edited version of this, please purchase Favored Blessed Pierced: A Fresh Look at Mary of Nazareth, available on Amazon.