Take Care of Mama
Introduction
A little boy wanted a red wagon for Christmas. His mother sent him upstairs to write a letter to Jesus. He wrote, “Dear Jesus, I’ve been a very good boy…a pretty good boy…a good boy…” He then stole the Mary figurine from the nativity scene and said, “I’m holding your mother hostage. If you ever want to see her again then bring me a red wagon!”
I. The Mob
A. The Scoffing Foes (16-22)
They never liked anything He did.
When he healed the sick, He did it on the wrong day.
When He raised the lame, He claimed power to forgive sins.
When He cast out demons, He did it in the power of Beelzebub.
When He preached, He misapplied the Scriptures…
Now He can’t even die right.
“Bearing shame and scoffing rude.
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
B. The Scriptural Fulfillment (23-25a)
I’ve emphasized this point in every message in this series. One more time for emphasis - everything that is going on is part of a Divine drama that was written by, directed by, and produced by God Himself. Not only does God write, direct, and produce this Sovereign script but He has assigned Himself the leading role. This fulfilled Psalm 22:18. (Cont’d) Calvary was no tragedy. Calvary was a triumph. Jesus was not a victim. Jesus was a Victor. For His role He does not receive an Oscar, but a name that is above every name.
C. The Scared Followers (25b)
Where was everybody? Where are those who had been healed? Where are those who dad been saved? Where are those who were blind? Where are those who were crippled?
Mary, mother of Jesus - Luke 1.30-31 – “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth Son, and shall call his name Jesus.”
His mother’s sister, Salome (Jesus’ aunt)
She is named in Mark 15:40
She was one of the ladies that went to the tomb
She is the wife of Zebedee
She is the mother of James and John
She asks for special treatment for her sons
Mary, (wife of Clopas) mother of James and Joseph
Mary Magdalene
Luke tells us that this Mary had 7 demons cast out of her.
She was on her way to Hell but then she met Jesus!
Some say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. Isn’t it strange then that Jesus is concerned for his mother but not for his mate? Some say that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had children. Strange that Jesus cares for His mother but not for His wife and minor children. (Cont’d) Despite the chastisement of Scripture that says, “He that does not provide for his own family is worse than an infidel.”
II. The mother (26)
A. She Was Special
There are many great women in the Bible.
Sarah, Debra, Lydia, Mary of Bethany, Hannah..
Of all the women, none is any more special than the Virgin Mary.
None is any more blessed, favored, or universally admired than this one who was Sovereignly chosen by God as the human instrument through which He would send the Messiah
In the 1990’s people would make a regular pilgrimage to Conyers, GA to see a supposed image of Mary on the side of a barn.
In 2004, a grilled cheese sandwich was burned in a way that left an impression of Mary. It sold on eBay for $28,000.
In early 2005, residents of Chicago erected a make-shift shrine beside the road because an image of Mary is said to have appeared in a stain created by the salt used to clear the icy road.
While we do not want to make the mistake that other religions make, we must be careful that we honor the mother of our Lord.
As Elizabeth once said, “Blessed art thou among women!”
B. She Was Sinful
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit exalts in God my Savior.”
Mary would find it reprehensible that anyone would pray to her, build iconic idols and statues to her, or burn candles in her honor.
In his book “Twelve Extraordinary Women” John MacArthur says, “Those who channel their religious energies into the veneration of Mary would do well to learn from the example of Mary herself. God is the only one to be magnified.”
Everything about her life pointed mankind to her Son and her Savior, not to her self.
One religion’s official doctrine views Mary as a perpetual virgin, as sinless, as being the product of an immaculate conception, as co-redemeer, co-mediator, and so-intercessor with Christ.
In his book “Twelve Extraordinary Women” John MacArthur points out that official Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary was taken bodily into heaven where she was crown “The Queen of Heaven.” A long tradition of overzealous souls throughout history have wrongly exalted her to god-like status.
Luke 11:27-28 – “While Jesus was saying these things one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.’ But Jesus said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.’”
Mary only appears in Scripture 3 times between Christ’s baptism and his crucifixion. Here in this text, at the wedding in Cana, and in Mark 3:31-35. In each case Jesus makes it clear that when it comes to His role as Savior and miracle worker, Mary has no special advantage over her Son.
C. She Was Sorrowful
Earth knows no love like a mother’s love.
If you’re in trouble, call your mama.
Earth knows no grief like a mother’s grief.
No grief, perhaps, is greater than a mother burying her child.
Simeon had prophesied in Luke 2:34-35 – “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, the Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel and as a sign to be opposed. And a sword will pierce even your own soul…”
III. The mandate (27)
Give her safety, security, and shelter
A. The Reverence Of Jesus
Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and mother.”
This isn’t the first time Jesus called her “woman.”
In John 2 at the wedding in Cana He called her “woman.”
The word “woman” here was a term of respect, honor, and dignity. It is not “Hey, woman…” but “Lady…ma’am…etc.)
Proverbs 30.17 – “The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.”
It was D.L. Moody who said, “I have lived over 60 years and I have learned one thing if I have learned nothing else. No man or woman who dishonors father or mother ever prospers.”
5 stages of parent – child relationships:
#1. Kids idolize their parents…they do no wrong
#2. Kids demonize their parents…they do no right
#3. Kids ostracize their parents…they don’t want them around
#4. Kids utilize their parents…they want money
#5. Kids humanize their parents…
B. The Restoration By Jesus
John was one of Jesus’ first two disciples. He was with John the Baptist when the forerunner declared, “Behold the Lamb of God…” Jesus nicknamed him and his brother James, “sons of thunder.” He had leaned on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper.
1. John Retreated
Yet John was a momentary backslider. Matt 26.56 – “Then all the disciples left Him and fled.” Matthew 26.31 – “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” He is one of 2 disciples who follow Jesus at a distance, witnessing the late-night trial before the high priest.
2. John Repented
John not only retreated but John also repented and returned. He had fled His Savior but now he forsook His sin. John came back to the Cross and stood by Mary, the mother of our Lord.
C. The Responsibility From Jesus
As we see later in the resurrection story with the restoration of Peter, Jesus is in the business of reclaiming, restoring, and reusing backsliders. John goes on to take care of Mary. He goes on to write 5 books of the Bible including this gospel, 3 epistles, and the Revelation of Christ. No matter how or when you have failed the Lord Jesus, if you come back to Him He will restore you and put you back to work!