I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalms 116:1-7
As a mother, I can only imagine the anguish that Mary must have felt as she watched her Son and Savior die on the Cross on that Easter Friday. She was down on her knees crying and praying for a miracle. What she probably did not realize was that she was witnessing the greatest miracle known to man. She knew that when she gave birth to Jesus that He was destined to save mankind. At the moment of His death and resurrection, Jesus was answering the silent cry of help from mankind.
Of course, Mary was overcome by distress and sorrow at the death of her son…just as any mother would be. However, I would agree that her distress and sorrow turned to joy when she realized that Jesus died for her and the rest of us so that we may live eternally with God in worship and praise. Jesus would not stay in the anguish of the grave. He would rise from the dead three days later to seal the deal of redeeming man back to God.
Mankind had to have a way to get past sin to be with God. The Lord showed His graciousness and mercy by shedding His own blood for His children—those who believe by faith that Jesus died on the Cross for them. Before Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, man had to depend on different rituals performed by the high priests for forgiveness and assurance of forgiveness. Jesus’ death wiped this away. We only now have to believe that He died on the Cross for us to know that we are saved and to spread the word of this wonderful gift.
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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful gift of eternal life by showing faith that we believe that Jesus died on the Cross for us. I no longer have to show distress or feel anguish over dying. I know that when it is time to meet You that I will be among the other believers who are waiting to see You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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