"A LONG SWORD WILL RUN THROUGH YOU" - Continue

 Yet, Mary remained humble. Her son never set her up for adulation, let alone worshipful devotion. During his ministry, a woman in the crowd cried out that Jesus' mother must be happy for giving birth to him.  He replied: "No, rather happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!" (Luke 11:27, 28) And when some in a crowd pointed out to Jesus that his mother and brothers were near, he said that those who believed were really his mothers and brothers. Far from taking offense, Mary surely understood Jesus' point-spiritual ties are far more important than fleshly ones. - MARK 3:32-35.

Still, what words convey the pain that Mary felt as she saw her son suffer a terrible death on a torture stake? An eyewitness to the execution, the apostle John, later included this telling detail in his account: During the ordeal, Mary was standing "by the torture stake of Jesus." Nothing could prevent that loyal, loving mother from standing by her son to the very last. Jesus saw her, though every breath he drew was an agony and every word he uttered cost him dearly, he spoke. He placed his mother in the care of his beloved apostle John.  Since Jesus' fleshly brothers were still unbelievers, Jesus entrusted Mary to none of them but to a sincere follower of his. Jesus thus showed how important it is for a man of faith to care for those who are his own, especially when it comes to their spiritual needs. - JOHN 19:25-27. 

Next time: "A LONG SWORD WILL RUN THROUGH YOU"

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