There are holes in the Bible. 

Easy there. I don't mean about the Gospel or about creation or anything like that. The really important stuff is all there and is firmly established. But there are other things we do not know. In my years in the ministry I have probably been asked all of them. Where was Joseph during the ministry of Jesus? Was he dead? When Paul said he had a thorn in the flesh, what did he mean? Was Daniel able to pet the lions or did they just stay on their side of the pit? What happened to the dinosaurs? How many times have you said, "When I get to heaven, I am going to find out"? As Richard Monce once told me, when we get to heaven we won't think to ask. Which is probably true.

But I wonder about these things sometimes. One of the things that bounces around in my head is what was Mary thinking as she watched her Son grow up and then begin His ministry. What did she really know?

The angel came to her and explained the pregnancy and birth, but that was all we have recorded. A few years ago I read an attack on the song "Mary Did You Know?" The writer said that the song intended to cut down the power of God. Of course Mary knew these things! An angel came to her! God's purpose was knowledge to her! Only, that is not what the Bible says. The whole conversation between Mary and the angel was short. She was told what she needed to know. He was to be the Messiah. The Bible says she hid these things in her heart. But how did that affect her?

Mary would have probably known the prophecies of His purpose, but she would probably have known of the prophesies of His coming rejection and death, as well. Was she confused as Jesus learned carpentry? Did she feel inadequate about His simple life she and Joseph were giving Him? Once He started His ministry, was she frustrated because people rejected Him? The Jews had developed a certain way of thinking about the Messiah, and Jesus went against that. Was Mary questioning what she thought she knew? Perhaps the only thing Mary was sure of was that she loved her Son.

Which brings me to the last week of her Son's life. We don't know if she was there when Lazarus was raised from the dead, but she was in the area. A few days later she was at the cross, so she was at least nearby. Was she there for the triumphful entry into Jerusalem? Again, we don't know. She may have been in the crowds that were following Jesus, or she may have gone on ahead with her other children to prepare for Passover. But she would have heard of raising of Lazarus and the entry, at the very least. Perhaps she started to feel the joy. Her Son was finally fulfilling the promise! Now all those naysayers would see!

But then came the arrest. The trial. The sentence. The beating and humiliation. How could this happen? Did Mary's faith in her Son waver? Or did Jesus Himself, at some time, set her down and explain what was to come? We just don't know. All that is not important to the greater story. Still, I would like to know. What we do know is that, even if she was knowing as to what would happen, she had to be in agony to see her Son so horribly treated and killed. 

Wavering faith or not, she became a believer. In his personal notes, Luke recalls how he went and sat with Mary as she told him the story, which wound up in the Book of Luke. In the early church, she was highly respected. Mary saw, firsthand, how joy came into the world, how hope was shattered and then how joy and love won the day. 

However, I still wonder about Mary. I wonder what went through her mind. One day, when I walk the streets of Glory, I intend to look her up and ask her. 

Unless Rich Monce is right and it doesn't matter anymore. We will see, Rich, we will see.