Saturday, March 15, 2008
John 19:26-27 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.
JESUS' WORD OF CONCERN
When Jesus looked out on the taunting crowd, He saw sinners who desperately needed the forgiveness that He was earning them. When His eyes fixed on His mother Mary, He saw a sinner who also needed His word of grace -- right now. So even as Jesus was providing for Mary's greatest spiritual need, He provided for her physical needs. To His disciple and dear friend John, Jesus entrusted the care of His own mother.
Jesus would rise from the dead in three days, but His relationship with His mother would never be quite the same. She would always retain the honor of being Jesus' mother, but in the kingdom of God she would stand on the same level as all other Christians.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
In a way, Jesus illustrated this fact by giving Mary to John and John to Mary. Mary's privilege of being Jesus' mother was great. John's privilege of being Jesus' close friend was great. But their shared privilege of being cleansed by His blood was far greater.
That privilege you and I share, dear reader. While the word of concern that Jesus spoke from the cross was directed to His mother, the act of concern Jesus showed on the cross was for us. By faith in Him, we share in Jesus and all His goodness.
We stand together at the foot of the cross in Lent and in life -- the disciples whom Jesus loves. Ponder that love deeply this Holy Week. Savor His humility, riding into Jerusalem. Wonder at His wisdom refuting His enemies. Gawk in amazement as He willingly goes the road of the cross, and so prepare yourself to rejoice in the door of the tomb.
