IMITATE THEIR FAITH/MARY -"She Survived the Long Sword of Grief - "HIS BROTHERS WERE . . . NOT EXERCISING FAITH IN HIM"

 The Gospels tell us relatively little about Mary during the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry. Keep in mind, though, that she was likely a widow-a single mother at that, perhaps with young ones still at home. It is quite understandable if she was unable to follow Jesus as he preached throughout his homeland. (1 Timothy 5:8) Still, she continued to meditate on spiritual things that she learned about the Messiah and to attend meetings in her local synagogue as had always been the family custom. - LUKE 2:19, 51; 4:16. 

Is it not possible, then, that she was sitting in attendance when Jesus spoke at the synagogue in Nazareth? What a thrill for her to hear her son announce that a centuries-old Messianic prophecy was not fulfilled in him! It must have been distressing, though, to see that her fellow Nazarenes did not accept her son.  They even tried to kill him! - LUKE 4:17-30. 

Also distressing was the way her other sons responded to Jesus. We learn at John 7:5 that Jesus' brothers did not have their mother's faith. We read: "His brothers were . . . not exercising faith in him." As to Jesus' sisters-of whom there was at least two-the Bible is silent. In any event, Mary came to know the peculiar pain of living in a home where differing religious viewpoints prevailed. She had to strive for the balance of remaining loyal to divine proof will working to win over the hearts of her family members without being overbearing or combative. 

Next time: "HIS BROTHERS WERE . . . NOT EXERCISING FAITH IN HIM" - Conclusion

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