Sermon Tone Analysis

We are looking at the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross.

We are looking at them individually and in order.

The first saying was “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

It was the word of forgiveness.

The second was “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise”.

It was a word of salvation.

Our third saying is a personal saying.

It’s directed towards two very important people in Jesus life: Mary and the disciple John.

It’s a word to a mother and a friend.

I want us to see three things from this very personal word from the cross.

I.

The Myths of Mary.

It’s important that we think clearly & biblically when it comes to Mary.

A. The myth of the Immaculate Conception.

1. Mary was born without the stain of sin.

She continued to live a life free from sin.

This prepared her to be the mother of Jesus.

2. Because Mary was without sin her body never saw corruption.

They teach she immediately went to heaven with a glorified body in the same way that Jesus was.

This doctrine is called The Assumption of Mary.

3. The Scripture does not teach this.

Rom.

3:23- all have sinned.

Mary saw herself in need of a Savior.

Luke 1:47 “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

Only sinners need Saviors.

B. The myth of perpetual virginity.

1.

It is commonly taught that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life.

The Bible teaches that Mary had at least seven children (Matt.

13:55).

Only one them was the result of a virgin birth!

2. There would be nothing virtuous about Mary remaining a virgin anyway.

This appears to come from the idea that celibacy is more spiritual than intimacy.

That’s not true, certainly not true if you are a young married woman.

C. The myth of mediation.

1. Mary is given titles the Bible does not ascribe to her.

The Queen of Heaven, Mother of God.

Pope John Paul II referred to her as the Co- Redemptrix.

Mary isn’t mentioned in any New Testament Epistle.

We see her in the gospels and briefly in the book of Acts.

2. Mary is given roles she does not fill.

It’s believed that if we pray to Mary she can help us.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen

3. To be fair, the Catholic church says they do not pray to Mary they simply ask Mary to pray for them.

The problem with that is:

1) The Bible never tells us to ask people in heaven to pray for us.

2) Mary is not omniscient.

She can’t hear all our prayers or know our hearts like God can.

3) Why pray to Mary when you can pray straight to God?

The Mary that Jesus is talking to in our text is not the Queen of heaven.

She is not a sinless saint.

She is not one who helps us to heaven.

She is a sinner.

She is a dedicated woman of God.

She had the wonderful privilege of being chosen to bear the Lord Jesus.

But she doesn’t sit beside the Lord on His throne.

She bows before his throne like every other sinner saved by the blood of Jesus.

II.

The Misery of Mary.

A. A prophecy was given concerning her misery.

1. Mary was given a prophecy through a man named Simeon.

We don’t know much about him but he was just and devout.

The Lord had spoken to him.

The Lord told him he would not die until he saw the Messiah.

After Jesus circumcision Mary took Jesus to the temple to offer the required sacrifice for a firstborn son.

Simeon sees the baby and immediately knows this is the Savior.

He causes quite a scene!

Takes the baby in his arms & begins to bless God

“Oh Lord, now I can die in peace!

My eyes have seen your salvation”

“This child is a light to the Gentiles, this child is the glory of Israel, this child will cause many to rise and many to fall!”

Joseph and Mary were shocked.

They stared in amazement at this elderly man worshipping God while holding their baby.

2. The prophecy was troubling.

Not all Simeon said was about Jesus.

He looked at Mary, not Joseph, and said “A sword shall pierce through your soul.”

He probably didn’t say it to Joseph because Joseph was more than likely already dead when Jesus was crucified.

What does that mean?

How does a sword pass through your soul?

It’s symbolic of torturous emotional pain.

I’m sure the smile caused by an old man dancing was erased by that word of prophecy.

3. The prophecy was fulfilled.

Look at verse 25 and you will see it.

While most of Christ’s followers fled from the cross a few were drawn to it.

Four women are mentioned: Jesus’ mother, Jesus’ mother’s sister (likely Salome), Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene (Jesus cast seven demons out of her.) John was also there (the disciple Jesus loved).These five people are so close to the cross they can see and hear Jesus.

There was misery in that prophecy.

B. Jesus’ property was gambled away.

1.

This happens just before Jesus speaks to Mary and John.

Look at verse 24.

There were four soldiers.

The Jewish man had five pieces of clothing normally:

the inner robe, the outer cloak, the sandals, a wide belt, and a turban.

The soldiers evenly distribute everything except the tunic (coat).

They decided to cast lots for it.

Why did they want this stuff?

Souvenirs?

Greed?

Selfishness.

2. Mary would have gladly taken Jesus’ property.