"A LONG SWORD RUN THROUGH YOU" -Conclusion

When Jesus' death at last came, Mary felt the pain foretold so long ago, the piercing long sword of grief. If we find it hard to imagine the extent of her grief, how much more so are we at a loss to imagine the joy she felt three days later! Mary learned of the greatest of all miracles-Jesus had been resurrected! And her joy was compounded, for Jesus later appeared to his half-brother James, no doubt in private. (1 Corinthians 15:7) That meeting affected James and Jesus' other half-brothers as well. We later learn that they came to believe in Jesus as the Christ. Soon, they were at Christian meetings with their mother, "persisting in prayer." (Acts 1:14) Two of them, James and Jude, later wrote books of the Bible. 

We find the last mention of Mary at the meetings with her sons, praying. What a fitting end to Mary's record, and what an example she left behind! Because of her faith, she survived the sword of grief and received, at last a glorious reward. If we imitate her faith, we too will enjoy rewards greater than we can imagine.

Next time:  "What Are We to Eat?" 

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