Easter Mothers

CHOICE GREETINGS TO YOU AS WE REJOICE TOGETHER THAT JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND EVER LIVING TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US.

EASTER MOTHERS

Through the years, I have befriended mothers who have lost their children. I think that it is the most difficult loss any mother would ever experience. GayNell and I have been there with families at the moment of a child’s departure and within hours of a death. You can feel the grief, the heartache, the confusion, the despair and the question of why. Why my child? Why now? What have we done? A question of guilt will always come up and anger is hard to suppress. Who is the Easter Mother I am writing about? It is the Virgin Mother of Jesus and heaven made the birth announcement. Angels heralded the birth and a heavenly host welcomed His arrival. Dr. Luke gave us a record of how the events would happen in Luke Chapter 1.

“Gabriel the Messenger Angel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Rejoice, beloved young woman, for the Lord is with you and you are anointed with great favor.”
29 Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her. 30 But the angel reassured her, saying, “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. 31 You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign as King of Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit.”
34 Mary said, “But how could this happen? I am still a virgin!”
35 Gabriel answered, “The Spirit of Holiness will fall upon you and almighty God will spread his shadow of power over you in a cloud of glory! This is why the child born to you will be holy and he will be called the Son of God. “

How must have Mary felt when her thoughts went back to the day when strange looking men from the east showed up at the door of the carpenter? You can find out what happened by what is recorded in Luke 2.

“And after entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, after opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts [fit for a king, gifts] of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Then in Matthew 12, Jesus in order to protect His mother, asked those crucifying Him, “Who is my mother?” He protected her just as she and Joseph had protected Him by taking their journey to Egypt. Mary was a wonderful mother and she was handpicked to do the job.

Yet, at the crucifixion, she felt as other mothers feel at the death of their children. She felt alienated, was overcome with agony, and abandoned by God just as any mother who loses a child. The most difficult dynamic may be the bond of attachment being broken. I have seen my daughter in law become what I call “an Easter Mother.” Mary had a support group around her, and she became a helper to those who have traveled down the same road. I have seen dear friends become Easter Mothers and my heart is forever scarred by the pain they feel in their heart and the questions of what might have been.

You may ask why do I call them “Easter Mother’s?” It is because death does not have the final say. As children of the Resurrected King over Death, Hell and the Grave we have hope beyond this world. Simeon had spoken of this day in Luke Chapter 2:

³³ And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.
³⁴ 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;
³⁵ (Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

When the spear pierced His side, Mary owned the pain; just like any mother does when her children experience pain or disappointment. Mary the Mother of Jesus followed the last instruction that He gave to his disciples, “ Go tarry in Jerusalem until you receive power from on high.” How did the disciples know that the power from on high was coming? He had told them, “If I go not away, the comforter cannot come, It is expedient for me to go away I will send another comforter ( the Promise of the Father ) and He will teach you all things.” Mary was in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost BECAUSE SHE KNEW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COOPERATE WITH HIS WORDS. SHE NEEDED THE PROMISED COMFORTER THAT HE HAD PROMISED. REMEMBER SHE SAID, “BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.” She had learned the value of cooperating with what Jesus said and it did not stop when she was an innocent teen; it continued throughout her life. Easter Mothers live with Resurrection Power within and with this comes Resurrection Hope. When you cooperate with Him he demonstrates His love for you;

“Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.”

Thank you for your love for God. It is an inspiration to the staff, GayNell, and I. We rejoice with you during this Passion Week that Jesus Christ is risen indeed.

JOIN WITH US ON EASTER FOR A CELEBRATION OF THE RESURRECTION.
OUR THEME FOR EASTER 2021 IS:
DON’T TREAD ON ME.

Your loving pastors Cleddie and GayNell and the entire staff of Heritage Fellowship and Academy.

HAPPY PASSION WEEK AND RESURRECTION BLESSING TO ALL

Your's for Souls.
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell