Mike Owens
Miriam loved her new born child. He was her first born, he was the fulfillment of all her dreams, he was the answer to all her prayers, and he was so perfect.Every detail about him was committed to memory; the joy that ran through her when she first knew of her pregnancy, the fear and dread of what would happen when her betrothed found out, knowing full well the child was not his, the shame she would bring to her family for conceiving out of wedlock, the relief when her betrothed accepted her anyway and still took her as his wife, the weariness of her long journey to Bethlehem and the pain of delivery that Autumn night as she lay beneath a lean-to made of tree branches, and once again, the joy as she gazed upon her new born son.
Remember this! her spirit cried out as lowly shepherds gathered round her son that glorious night. Each in turn gazing on the face of the most perfect child. Each in turn speaking a blessing to the mother and father of this most perfect child. Each in turn wondering at the message of the angel that had brought them here to this most perfect child.
Remember this! her spirit cried out as the parade of wise and noble men from the East passed through her humble home. Each in turn gazing on the face of this most holy king. Each in turn declaring the homage due this most holy king. Each in turn presenting a precious gift in token of their honor befitting this most holy king.
Yes, she remembered it all in glowing and vivid detail, even now as she forced herself to gaze upon his torn and bleeding body, displayed in shame before the world as he hung upon a Roman cross. She remembered and was silent!
Can anyone imagine her pain and grief as she watched her son suffer upon that cross? Imagine for a brief moment her emotions ripping her heart into as his life's blood flowed from his gaping wounds? Imagine in the least amount her overwhelming sorrow as he finally hung his head in death?
How can we begin to comprehend this woman who had given all she had to her God without reservation? Who had given all she was to her Redeemer without hesitation? Who had given all her hopes and dreams to her Deliverer without expectation of gain?
Rise up! O my soul, and rejoice for we have beheld the glory of God! Rise up! O my soul, and shout, for we have received the mercies of His grace!
Imprisoned? Her son has set us free that we may tell others of His love. Impoverished? Her son has laid us up streets of gold that we might be rid of the dust of this world. Insignificant? Her son has made us priests and kings that we might share in the glory of our Lord. Inept? Her son has given us Wisdom and Power that we might conquer the god of this world.
Surely her son has borne all our griefs. Surely her son has carried all our sorrows. Yet she looked upon his ravaged body and saw hope, while we esteemed him strickened. Yet she looked upon his bleeding face and saw forgiveness, while we beheld one smittened of God. Yet she looked upon his outstretched hands and saw the Builder of the world, while we shunned him as one afflicted!
Truly, O Miriam, you are blessed among all women! Rejoice, as your soul exalts the Lord. Rejoice, as your spirit sings the praises of your God and Savior. For all generations shall count you blessed for the mighty one has done great things for you, and holy is His name.
Miriam, O Miriam, we wonder at your silence! Your lovely, perfect child is bleeding and yet you are silent! Your meek and gentle child is suffering, and yet you are silent! Your holy and innocent child is dying, and yet you are silent!
Are you so cold that you do not feel His pain? Are you so heartless that you do not mourn His loss? Are you so without emotion that you do not care?
Silence! And yet, your silence speaks out loud and clear to all who will listen. "My God, I am a sinner, Your blood washes away my sins. My Lord, I am hurting, Your wounds bind up my infirmities. My Savior, I am lost, Your death gives me new life. My King, I am weak, Your living makes me one with the Father. Thank you , O Miriam, for your loud and penetrating silence!