2. The second time Mary comes to view is in the attempt which she and others made to speak with Jesus in the midst of His conflict with the Scribes and Pharisees at Capernaum, when they sought to destroy His good name and influence by applying that most horrible and loathsome epithet, “He had Beelzebub.” We can hardly realize what satanic forces were massed against Jesus at that time. And Mary, who probably, with some friends, stood on the outside of the crowd, became alarmed, and would rescue Him from the malice of His enemies. So she sent a message, which probably was handed on from one person to another, begging Him to allow His friends to speak to Him. Again He refuses to admit any privilege on account of their relationship. “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” He loved His mother, but infinite wisdom saw best that she must in no way influence His divine work, which He could not share with another and be the Saviour of the world. He must tread the winepress of men’s malice alone. 3. The third time Mary comes to our notice is at the foot of the cross. She was standing there with Mary Magdalene, Salome, and other women, having no doubt followed her Son as she was able throughout that terrible morning of our Lord’s several trials. It was now three o’clock in the afternoon, and He was about to expire. Standing near the company of the women was John, and, with almost His last words, Christ commended His mother to the care of this disciple. And from that hour, John assures us, he took her to his home. If, by “that hour,” John means immediately after the words were spoken, Mary was not present at the last scene of all. The sword had sufficiently pierced her soul, and she was spared the hearing of the last loud cries and the sight of the bowed head. However we might have understood His relation to Mary, while the great scheme of human redemption was being wrought out, He now turns in beautiful and touching tenderness to her, who tenderly loved Him, even when she could not fully understand His work. 4. The fourth and last time Mary is brought to our view is in the company of the one hundred and twenty believers, assembled at Jerusalem, waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit. This is the last view we have of her. The Word of God leaves her engaged in prayer in the “upper room,” with the women, and with His brethren. From this point forward we know nothing of her. It is very probable the rest of her life was spent in the home of John, cherished with the tenderness which her sensitive soul would have specially needed, and which she undoubtedly found in him who had borne the distinction of “that disciple whom Jesus loved.”