Short Silent Saturday Thoughts

     I had never heard this day of the Passion Week of Christ called Silent Saturday, but I've seen it mentioned several times today.  I understand the premise since there is no mention of any events related to Christ's death on this day in the Bible, but I'm sure it was anything but silent there that day. 

          I can imagine His close friends and family either gathered together or in the privacy of their inner rooms, spilling out their grief as friends and loved ones do after the loss of someone they love.  I can also picture the Pharisees and Sadducees gathered in their respective buildings, gloating over the fact that the bane of their religious authority was now out of the picture.  Finally, I can hear the cheering turned to cursing as Satan and his minions, at first, think they have been victorious and then realize that Christ is alive, and rejoicing with the penitent thief in Paradise as He had promised him.

     For us reading the Scriptures today, it seems silent, but so much was going on in anticipation of tomorrow's greatest victory.  In that moment of "silence" I thought I'd share a short simple thought that jumped out to me recently when reading about the crucifixion.  I read about a virtually unknow person who was present at Christ's death.  As far as I can remember, I've never heard a preacher mention them, but as I thought about this person, it was an encouragement to me, and I hope it will be for you, as well.

"...and his mother's sister..."

       I know I've read that passage multiple times in my life, but somehow, I hadn't seen the four short words that jumped out at me this time.  I always find it amazing when that happens.  God's Word is alive and new each time we read it.  I've been thinking about this person since then and the incredible impact their actions must have had.

      In John 19 we read of Jesus' crucifixion.  Tucked in that terrible account is a list of some of the women who were there.  

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus
his mother,
and his mother's sister,
Mary the wife of Cleophas,
and Mary Magdalene.
(John 19:25)

            I'm not sure why it never registered before, but when I read that Mary's sister was there with her, it really struck me this time.  I never had a sister, but I've watched the relationship my daughters share.  They may get on each other's nerves from time to time, but there is a special bond between them.  As I read this verse, I instantly pictured one of my girls facing an incredibly painful event in their lives and seeing one of her sisters standing next to her with her arm around her.  Being there for her.  Sharing the pain.  Making sure she wasn't alone.  

     We aren't told anything else about Mary's sister.  Of course, my mind formulates dozens of questions.  What had she thought when she had found out Mary was pregnant with Jesus?  I've often wondered how Mary's parents felt, but never considered the fact that she had siblings affected by the news as well.  Had Mary confided in her, like sisters often do, before others found out?  Had she believed her or felt betrayed by Mary's pregnancy?  Had they kept in touch while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem and Egypt?  Was she there for the birth of Mary's other children?  Or when Joseph died?  Scripture doesn't tell us, and it doesn't really matter, but what does matter is that she was there with Mary at the cross sharing her grief.

      I tend to believe, based on the other women mentioned and the accounts in the other Gospels, that she was also probably there because she had followed Jesus and accepted His teachings as well.  So even as she was there to comfort her sister, she knew her own grief as she watched Christ suffer and die.

     I was struck once again by the love of God.  Mary stood watching her Son die one of the most horrific deaths known to man.  Even if she understood and believed his teachings that he would rise again, as a mother watching it must have been a gut-wrenching anguish to watch and be unable to help her child.  As a mother myself, I have experienced that pain on such a miniscule level compared Mary, and yet it grieved my heart.  

     When one of our sons was a baby, he was in intensive care on life-support for two weeks.  Before his diagnosis, doctors were puzzles by his condition, and I was helpless to do anything to ease his pain and increasing weakness.  In recent years, my own illness has made it impossible for me to scoop up one of my children when they fell and got hurt or even care for them when they had the stomach flu.  I can only stand by and watch as other family members step in and do what I long to do, what a mom is supposed to do.

     Those seem like such ridiculous examples compared to the pain Mary must have felt being unable to help her Son, and yet they help to bring the pain to life for me.  If I hurt as much as I do over the small pains that I am unable to help with, how great must have been her anguish.  And there I see the love of God in those four short words, "and His mother's sister."  God had someone there, her very sister, to face the anguish with her.  He did not leave her alone on that darkest of days.

     Maybe you know someone who is facing a great trial.  Perhaps you have wondered what you can do.  May I encourage you to be a "Mary's Sister."  Just be there.  Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them as they go through their dark days.  You don't even have to talk.  In fact, sometimes just your presence is better than words.

     When our son was in the hospital, many people came to be with us, but the couple who was the greatest encouragement to us, was a couple who came and just sat in the waiting room with us.  He brought his work with him, and she visited or read as we needed.  If we wanted to talk, they talked; but if we just wanted to be alone or quiet, they respected that.  I can't tell you how much that meant to us.  They were just there.  They were showing us love and concern without any expectations from us at a time when we were unable to even think about visiting or talking.  

     Perhaps on this "Silent Saturday" we can be reminded that even as Mary watched her Son, Christ Jesus our Lord, suffer and died for us because of His great love, she had a sister there to help her through.  There are hurting people all around us as well.  May we be ready to share the Love of God with them and be a "Mary's Sister" so they do not face their trials alone. 

Looking forward to tomorrow, and Resurrection Sunday.  Remember, He is alive!  He is alive, Indeed!