#1 Mary’s Song at the Cross - John 19:25–27; Luke 1:46–55
Scripture Reading
John 19:25–27; Luke 1:46–55 (ESV)
John 19:25–27
25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Luke 1:46–55
46 And Mary said “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Reflection:
At the cross, Mary stands near her crucified Son, watching the promise she once sang about in Luke 1 now pass through unthinkable pain. The angel’s words, the manger, the miracles—all lead to this moment. Her “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord” is tested at the foot of the cross.
In John 19, Jesus entrusts Mary and John to one another: “Woman, behold, your son… Behold, your mother.” Even in agony, Jesus is forming a new kind of family around Himself.
For worship leaders, Mary is a picture of surrendered faith that holds onto God’s promises in the middle of loss. Easter isn’t just about celebration—it's about trusting God when what He’s doing is deeper than what we can understand.
Personal Questions:
- Where is my obedience being tested right now, like Mary’s was at the cross?
- Do I only worship when I understand what God is doing, or also when I don’t?
- How has God used painful seasons to deepen my trust and worship?
Team Questions:
- What can we learn from Mary’s long obedience—from her song in Luke 1 to her faith at the cross?
- How can our team make space for people to worship honestly in seasons of grief or confusion?
- In what ways can we encourage one another to hold onto God’s promises when ministry feels heavy?
Prayer:
Lord, give me Mary’s heart of surrender. Help me to trust You when Your plan leads through pain and not just victory. Teach me to worship at the foot of the cross, believing that Your promises are still true even when I don’t see the full picture. Amen.