"May It Be To Me As You Have Said"

Eight days later, the family went to the temple, for the circumcision. Two elderly people broke into praise, Simeon and Anna were their names. Joseph and Mary “marveled at what was said about him. But then Simeon said something that was no doubt a little frightening to the young mother. He said “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed, And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This sounded kind of scary. Whatever could he mean? Mary could not know. We are not told what she said in response, but she didn’t react badly to Simeon. She didn’t denounce him. And like any good mother she had already steeled herself in favor of her Son. Nothing would deter her from loving him and seeking to do the best that she could. So, in her heart, she had not backed away from her original reply: “May it be to me as you have said.” but now, she held herself to it perhaps with a little trepidation.

As her child grew, she would discover that it would become more difficult to say those words uttered in her youth. At the wedding of Cana her son referred to her not as “Mother” but rather, “woman”. And then there was another time when he was teaching and someone said “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” And Jesus replied “Who are my mother and my brothers?’ As if he didn’t know her. Then he looked around and said, “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was not snubbing her or being unkind to her, he was helping her to make a most important change in their relationship. Mary, the woman who cared for Jesus, changed his diapers, fed him and raised him, would have to begin to see him as something more than the child of her womb, She would have to see him as her Lord and Savior. At one time God had given her authority over him, But now, if she were to be saved, he must have authority over her. This change in their relationship would, no doubt, be difficult. As she was confronted with this change, she would have to learn to say what she said so long ago: “May it be to me as you have said.”

About three years later, this child of her womb was found in the Garden of Gethsemane. He began to feel the weight of the world’s sins. He was overcome with sorrow to the point of death. Three times, he prayed to his father, asking if there was any other way to save the human race. But answer was always the same. “No.” The promises God had made were irrevocable. He had said in his word that an unblemished lamb would die for the sins of the world, and Jesus, was fully aware that he was that lamb. He got up and boldly went to meet those who came to arrest him. “May it be to me as you have said.” , he said to his father as he took up the path that led him to the cross.

And as he hung there, blood flowing from the wounds that would heal us all, there stood beneath him, his Mother Mary, with John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. The prophecy of Simeon was coming true, she could feel it. It felt like a sword was piercing her very soul as she saw her child suspended on the crude frame of the cross. Did she understand what was happening? Nobody did on that day. For to all who loved him, it seemed as if everything had gone horribly and unmistakably wrong! Through her grief and tears she could not bring herself to say, much less think “May it be to me as you have said.” Jesus was saying it for her. He was saying it for all of us, as he faithfully carried out the will of God and died to save us all.