Daily Treasure

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for Alabama Women Active for Christ as they meet together today.

“And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary his mother, Behold this child is set for the fall and  rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).

In an earlier devotion, I mentioned that Simeon was the one who held Jesus and blessed Him as a baby in the Temple. He also gave some prophecy that was fulfilled at the Cross. As Mary stood and watched the horrible death of her son, his words had to be ringing in her ears. As she watched in horror as the spear pierced His side, she had to have felt one was piercing her heart.

Years ago I was privileged to see dramatist, Teri Peacock, do “Mary’s Story” at one of our state retreats. She portrayed Mary as an elderly woman sharing her story from the conception to the ascension of Christ. My heart was deeply stirred when she presented the part about how Mary felt as she watched her son die and the moments afterwards. She captured a mother’s heartache with every possible emotion she could muster.

When we picture Jesus dying on the Cross, we see our Savior. Mary would too, but, for now she is weeping for her son.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  North Carolina Women Active for Christ also meet this weekend. Pray for women attending the banquet tonight and Convention tomorrow.

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:20).

When you think of everything that happened at the Cross, can you even imagine the anguish Mary felt? To stand by and watch the son she loved and nurtured be treated so cruelly brought her great pain. The added agony was there was nothing she could do about it. Contrary to some teachings, Mary had no part in the atoning work of Christ. He died alone on a rugged cross, shedding His blood for the sins of mankind.

During His ministry Mary had to show her love from a distance. Being close by when He suffered on the Cross was the very last thing she could do to show her support. Did she understand what was really happening? She was as confused as anyone else standing around her. Tomorrow we will learn about Simeon’s earlier prophecy. Mary may not have understood his words back when he held her baby and blessed Him, but they would take on new meaning as she wept there at the Cross.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Virginia Women Active for Christ will hold their state meeting/retreat this weekend. Pray for unity of purpose and spiritual growth among women.

“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother” (Mark 3:35).

It appears at the start of Jesus’ ministry, Joseph had died. Mary had a lot of responsibility with her big family. Jesus may have been grown, but Mary couldn’t stop being maternal. My kids are grown, but I don’t stop being their Mom. I still am concerned about their welfare. Mary took her family and went checking on Jesus because He was ministering to crowds of needy people. She was worried for His safety and sanity. His family just wanted to know He was safe. Jesus asks in Mark 3:33, “Who is my mother or my brethren?” Today’s verse is the answer Jesus gave to set the record straight. He couldn’t allow His earthly family to sidetrack Him from His ministry. Mary had to somehow learn in letting go, she was actually submitting to Him as Lord.

As part of God’s spiritual family you should desire to do His Will. Don’t let your earthly family deter you from being all God wants you to be.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray that WAC groups will see young women become active participants in their ministries. These women will be our leaders of tomorrow.

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come” (John 2:4).

I was a little hesitant to use the word “rebuke.” It’s the word I thought of first when I read this verse. I don’t think this was what Jesus was trying to do. I don’t see attitude or hear a disrespectful tone of voice. What I do see is a grown man trying to help His mother see He was no longer the little lad she found at the Temple. He loved her but she couldn’t be an obstacle in His fulfilling the purpose for which He came to earth.

Jesus wasn’t blind to what was going on at the marriage feast. He had every intention of helping the host, but it had to be done in His time and His way. When He took charge and performed His first miracle of changing water into a delightful-tasting, non-alcoholic wine, He demonstrated to His mother and disciples His God-given power. God still works miracles today if we allow Him to work out the details in His way and time.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for TWG writers and especially for editor Sarah Fletcher.

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage” (John 2:1-2).

Most people have their own view concerning the first miracle of Jesus. After doing some extra reading on the subject I would like to share mine. First of all, I think Mary was at the wedding at the request of the host who might have been a dear friend. Jesus was her son and by now the disciples were like family so they were also invited. This event would mark the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. A Jewish wedding was always well attended and the celebration lasted for days. It was a very joyous occasion. It was the perfect setting for something miraculous to happen. Though no one but Jesus saw this coming, before the marriage feasts were over, there arose a need that had to be dealt with. For whatever the reason, the wine ran out. According to custom, this could have been a great social embarrassment to the host. Mary seeing the need went to Jesus knowing He had the power to take care of this matter. It was more than a mother asking her son a big favor. She trusted Him as her Lord. She may not have known how He was going to make things happen, but, she just believed He would help in the hour of need. He would perform His first miracle, but, before He did, Jesus had something He had to say to His mother. What He would say was never meant to hurt her feelings.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Praying for one another as Women Active for Christ cannot be emphasized enough; we must pray for and encourage each other.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray diligently for your pastor and his wife. Today would be an excellent day to encourage them with a note of appreciation.