JesusOnCross_01

 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

John 19:26-27

In this series we are taking a brief look at each of the seven statements Jesus made while suffering on the cross. The series began Friday with a look at Jesus’ desire to see His enemies be forgiven.

Jesus, however, was not only concerned about His enemies; He was also concerned about His family. That becomes clear when reading the second statement He made while nailed atop Golgotha’s hill.

His words here are certainly relatable. Jesus loved His mother as much as any other.

It’s fair to say Jesus probably did not have a hard time obeying the command to honor father and mother. As much as you love your mother Jesus loved His. There was nothing supernatural about it; there’s no miracle on display here. This is as “typical” as a thing could be.

Being in the atypical situation where the mother will outlive her child, the child makes sure preparation was made for her to be taken care of after His death. You can’t help but wonder how Mary’s heart broke as she looked up at her battered, bruised, and bleeding Son. She knew He was about to die right in front of her eyes.

Wonder also, how Jesus’ heart broke as His eyes met hers and He knew exactly what she was feeling — having to die right in front of her. It is not exactly clear in the Scripture to what extent Mary knew about what Jesus would have to endure, so we can only imagine it from the perspective of any mother and son staring at each other.

One was in agony, the Other was dying.

From His love Jesus was moved to act: He left Mary in the care of John, whom he also loved and trusted to be a good caregiver. Imagine being Christ, and seeing John put his arms and your mother. You’re confident she will be cared for, yes, but as a Human Jesus certainly wanted desperately to hold His mother while suffering.

She too, certainly, wanted to hold her Son and wish His pain away, as all mothers do. Yet she could no hold Him. He could not hold her.

Mary couldn’t lean over and whisper words of encouragement.
Mary couldn’t kiss His wounded head and tell Him its going to be alright.
Mary couldn’t wipe away the tears from His eyes.
Mary couldn’t do any of the things a mother instinctively does for her child.

She could only watch while her Son died…and died for her.

We ought to be eternally grateful that Jesus died for us, and the scene of Calvary ought to move us tremendously. Not only because of the brutality an innocent Man suffered, but also it should move us because we know it was for our sins that He is suffering. We have never even met Jesus, yet we are moved at the thought.

Mary was His mother. For His entire earthly life she was near Him. And now she has to watch, helpless while He dies…because of her.

What mother wouldn’t say “no, I’LL die for Him…He should not have to die for me.”

But it couldn’t happen that way. Jesus had to die. Before He did, however, He made sure to leave her in the care of someone who would provide for her physical needs.

While He died to provide for her spiritual needs.

 

have a great day!