The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and EverybodySample

MARY: THE ONE WHO SERVED IN THE BACKGROUND

I may have the same name as the famous Mary but don't confuse me with her. We do have similarities; we both have sons. I am the mother of James and Joseph. We both love Jesus and believe he is the promised Messiah. And we both prefer to serve in the background.

So many people competed with one another to get Jesus's attention. That is just not me. I was shy as a child, preferring to watch and observe. I wasn't as quick as everyone else, so I listened instead. Because I spent so much time observing others, I learned to pick up on their needs. It makes me so happy when I can help. I like to care for people.

Serving Jesus and his followers makes me happy. I liked to listen to his teaching. I learned so much about Jesus's love for me. Before him, all the rules of the Torah seemed impossible to follow. Then Jesus came along and explained it to me. When he spoke, I could understand.

But it all came together when I returned to the tomb to care for Jesus's body. We were wrecked with grief when he died. It took everything in me to get up and go to the grave. But I wanted to be faithful to Jesus until the very end.

When I showed up, an angel was there with the stone rolled away. I got a horrible pit in my stomach when I saw that and regretted coming until I heard the angel speak. He told me Jesus was not there; Jesus had risen just as he had said he would. Suddenly, it all made sense, all the things he had taught. The angel told me to tell the disciples. What an honor! I got to carry that sweet message of good news to the disciples as they hid in fear.

So many of you will find yourself serving in such a small role and behind the scenes. You might think no one knows or even cares about what you do. But I can tell you, Jesus knows. And He cares.

Jesus is healing behind the scenes.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. How did Mary work behind the scenes?

2. Are you more comfortable working upfront or behind the scenes?

3. How has Jesus been faithful in the little things?