POV: Being Mary For Easter - by Esther Lawrence

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb". I must've been foolish to think I was ready for this.... He was the birth of a promise, unduly fated to face the cruelest demise. My sweet baby, a beacon of hope, Our Saviour -The Sacrifice . A journey He took, from Bethlehem's manger to Golgotha's hill where sorrow stood, to have love fulfilled. Yet what love have the people given Him? They stood in wonder of His deeds, welcoming Him with joy. His arrival to Jerusalem was greeted with such a jubilant crowd, and I had started to think that maybe God had heard the still wishes of my heart. And yet, before me, they now stood screaming "Free Barabbas!" Where was the love in their hearts for my poor baby as they cried out in a loud voice, "Crucify Him!"? I watched, helpless and from a distance. What was it again? A purple robe? A crown of thorns and whipping that left Him unrecognisable with blood gushing everywhere? The mockery He had to endure? And still, He prayed "Father, forgive them". These wicked people?! It felt so unfair!! My heart broke in pain- unthinkable pain!! What if these would in the end, be in vain?, I really couldn't stop myself from actually thinking. "Jesus!! Jesus!!!" "God!!! Why won't you do anything??" I screamed silently, as I looked at the people with disdain. The betrayal, the torture- oh, my poor baby!! The sorrow cut deep as I watched Him try to bear that cross with His human body. A cross three times His weight!! I wanted to help but they wouldn't let me. "God..." Tears I struggled to contain covered my eyes now. I wanted to be strong, but I couldn't bear to watch as He kept falling, leaving behind trails of blood from his wounds. When the tears dropped I saw an unknown man helping Him. Wait? Wasn't that Simon, Alexander's father? I didn't have time to thank him, I could still see Jesus struggling to stand. His tired was tired!! He kept falling, but the soldiers kept flogging, pushing and cursing at Him. As they drove the nails into His wrists and feet, I fell to the ground, wailing in despair! He watched me silently, His eyes telling His pain. At the ninth hour, my son finally screamed. His pain indescribable, unfathomable, EXCRUCIATING... "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?!". His agony was too great, but the soldiers kept mocking him. How heartless!!!! They gave him a mixture to drink from a sponge, and that was moment that felt like my own death. I watched Him die, my poor baby..... With these eyes, I did. They even pierced His side to confirm it. I'm sure of it, I saw Him get buried in that tomb. The tears flooded my eyes and honestly? Death just had to be the only cure for the pain I felt. "Jesus...My ba...Oh God!!!!" But the third day came with its glorious light!!! Mary Magdalene came running: "I saw Him. I saw Him, Mary!! Your SON is ALIVE!!!"In that moment, my period of grief turned to triumphant cheer!! His Sacrifice was truly not in vain, because as the angel had said: He truly is Risen! Never to face death again. Hallelujah!!

Other insights from Esther Lawrence

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons