March 19th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Then when Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, “Ma’am, see your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
And from that moment the disciple took His mother as his own.
John 19:26-27, The Power New Testament
Action: Widowed Mary was torn apart by the agony of her son. No doubt Simeon’s words to her when Jesus was a baby returned to mind: “This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel … (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)” (Luke 2:34-35).
Jesus could not forget his mother at this time or neglect his duty to honour her. Even though Jesus had brothers, they had not yet become believers according to Mark 3:21. On top of that, Jesus probably wanted to ensure that Mary was cared for by entrusting her to someone present, namely John, his friend and beloved disciple. In this final act of love, Jesus reminds us that true spirituality is expressed as profound concern for human matters and this certainly includes caring for members of our family (1 Tim 5:8). Evidence that we truly love God is that we love the brother that He has placed next to us (John 4:20-21).
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JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
FRIDAY – Jesus’ Last Words (3) Mother
Then when Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, “Ma’am, see your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
And from that moment the disciple took His mother as his own.
John 19:26-27, The Power New Testament
Action: Widowed Mary was torn apart by the agony of her son. No doubt Simeon’s words to her when Jesus was a baby returned to mind: “This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel … (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)” (Luke 2:34-35).
Jesus could not forget his mother at this time or neglect his duty to honour her. Even though Jesus had brothers, they had not yet become believers according to Mark 3:21. On top of that, Jesus probably wanted to ensure that Mary was cared for by entrusting her to someone present, namely John, his friend and beloved disciple. In this final act of love, Jesus reminds us that true spirituality is expressed as profound concern for human matters and this certainly includes caring for members of our family (1 Tim 5:8). Evidence that we truly love God is that we love the brother that He has placed next to us (John 4:20-21).
Application:
- Luke 8:19-21 teaches that those who obey the Word of God have a more ready access to Jesus' fellowship and help than do his own family members.
- Ephesians 1:19-20 teaches that Jesus in his present exaltation and power can provide for our needs even more than in the moment of his greatest weakness and humiliation on the cross.
- Mark 10:29-30 teaches that just as John became Mary’s family beyond her relatives, so the body of Christ becomes a large family beyond family.
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