Thursday, March 30, 2017
John 19:27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home...
ONE WHOM JESUS LOVED
Mary was not the only one standing by the cross with needs. Just a few hours before, John had leaned on Jesus at supper. Now the one who loved him was dying.
Jesus knew what John needed. He gave John someone to care for and comfort. One of our greatest needs is to serve others, and no one is childless in the family that Jesus' Word brings together. The Lord always provides children to think of and to pray for. Nor is anyone an orphan in this family.
Of course, Christianity is not based on outward circumstances, but on the heart, so there will always be those believers who are in need, those whom we could treat as our own parents in their needs, or brothers and sisters who are afflicted, or children who look up to us.
Just weeks before, John had seen Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. Then a luminous cloud and the Father's voice had come. When he looked up again, he saw only Jesus--but that was enough! One man and God are a majority. Alone with God was good enough for Elijah facing the 450 prophets of Baal, enough for Daniel in the lions' den, enough for Martin Luther at Worms. To have no one with you except Jesus only is enough for us to face life ... or death.
But our dear Savior provides even more! He gives us a family, bound together by the same Word that was powerful enough to create the universe. He gives us a family to care for us and to be cared for by us-- in His name.
