John 19: So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Mary means "bitter".
Originally a Middle English Anglicized form of the French "Marie," derived from the Latin "Maria," and ultimately from the Hebrew name of uncertain origin "Miryam".
This is the New Testament form of Miriam, which St. Jerome derives from elements meaning 'drop of the sea' (Latin 'stilla maris', later altered by folk etymology to 'stella maris': star of the sea).
Matthew Henry writes,
We may easily suppose what an affliction it was to these poor women to see him thus abused, especially to the blessed virgin. Now was fulfilled Simeon’s word, A sword shall pierce through thy own soul, Lu. 2:35. His torments were her tortures; she was upon the rack, while he was upon the cross; and her heart bled with his wounds; and the reproaches wherewith they reproached him fell on those that attended him. (3.) We may justly admire the power of divine grace in supporting these women, especially the virgin Mary, under this heavy trial. We do not find his mother wringing her hands, or tearing her hair, or rending her clothes, or making an outcry; but, with a wonderful composure, standing by the cross,and her friends with her. Surely she and they were strengthened by a divine power to this degree of patience; and surely the virgin Mary had a fuller expectation of his resurrection than the rest had, which supported her thus. We know not what we can bear till we are tried, and then we know who has said, My grace is sufficient for thee.
God purposed that three women standing by His Son while He went through the Passion of the Cross were named Mary. What a bitter thing it would have been to witness Christ's suffering. Yet God gave the strength they needed.
And on the third day, their mourning would be turned into joy.
God makes no mistakes.
Very cool.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding.
ReplyDeleteGoosebumps.
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