The Seven Words from the Savior on the Cross: Love 6

Jesus’ spoken words from the cross emphasize the truths of forgiveness ("Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  Luke 23:34), hope ("Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43) and thirdly, love.

"When Jesus 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!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27.

The statement occurs within the overall context of John 19:16-27.

We witness Jesus’ provision of love for Mary, His mother. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:26 ESV).

Jesus speaks to his mother and says, “Woman, behold, your son!” There is no sense of disrespect in Jesus’ use of the word woman” (Γυναι [Gunai]) as there was not in John 2:4. The word indicates that while Jesus cared for and respected Mary, she did not possess authority over Jesus. He was/is her Savior and Lord.

He commands Mary to pay attention and to take notice of her son. This is not a reference to Jesus, but rather to John who is standing near to Mary.

Seeing her sorrow Jesus honored His mother by consigning her into the care of John, the beloved disciple. His brothers and sisters being in Galilee perhaps were not in a position to take care of or comfort her.

Jesus now compliments His command to Mary by equally commanding John. “Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:27 ESV).

Once again, the word “behold” means to pay attention. John is now responsible for Mary. It should be noted that John’s mother, Salome, was also one of the women at the scene of the crucifixion. The text immediately tells the reader that from that hour the disciple took her. Into his own home.

The following observations are submitted for practical consideration.

· First, God extends His Grace to us in spite of when we sin. In Mark 14:50 the text says that all the disciples fled.  “And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” (Mark 14:46-49; Mark 14:50 ESV). “And they all left him and fled.”  However, John came back and Jesus extended to John this important responsibility.

· Second, spiritual bonds between believers are often stronger than biological bonds. Jesus’ brothers and sisters are noticeably absent. Jesus entrusts His mother to His disciple John.

o   Matthew 10:34-37 – “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34-37 ESV).

o   Luke 8:19-21 - Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:19-21 ESV)

· Thirdly, believers are to honor their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”(Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV). To “honor” our parents means much more than simply obeying them. It means to show them respect and love and to take care of them as long as they need us and as long as we can.