John 19
26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son."27 And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
Jesus was hanging on the cross when He spoke those words. His mother was there with Him at the end of his earthly existence. She was not dismayed by the fury of Satan, or by the horrific sight of the Roman execution of her son. She could not rescue him or relieve him, yet she stood by him. We can only guess what a heartbreak it was for Mary to see her son so abused. It did fulfill Scripture, however.
Simeon was a pious man and had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God had spoken to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. At the time Jesus’ parents presented Him before the Lord, he said these words. Luke 2
29 "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.30 I have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared for all people.32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" 33 Jesus' parents were amazed at what was being said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."
Jesus’ torments were his mother’s tortures; it was as if she were on the cross and her heart bled with his wounds. We can see the power of divine grace supporting his mother under this heavy trial, though. We don’t see her wringing her hands, or tearing her hair, or ripping her clothes, or crying out loud. What we do see is Mary, with a wonderful composure, standing by the cross. She was strengthened by that divine power to this degree of patience. She probably had a fuller expectation of his resurrection than anyone else had. We don’t often know what we can bear until we are tried, but then we know God who has said, “My grace is sufficient for you”.Jesus tenderly provides for his mother at his death.
It’s probable that Joseph, her husband, died long before, and that her son Jesus had supported her. It was her relation to him that had been her sustainer and now that he was dying what would become of her? Jesus saw her standing by, and knew her cares and sorrows. He also saw John standing not far off, and so he created a new relationship between his beloved mother and his beloved disciple. He said to her, “Woman, here is your son”, and to him, “Here is your mother”. From that time on, that hour never to be forgotten, the disciple that Jesus loved took her into his own home. See how Christ took care of his mother? He wasn’t so much taken up with a sense of his sufferings as to forget his loved ones- it was their concerns he bore on his heart. His mother, though, was so taken up with his sufferings that she didn’t think of what would become of her; but Jesus did.
He calls her “woman“ and not “mother“, not out of disrespect, but because “mother” would have been a devastating word to her. He knew she was already wounded to the heart with grief. He spoke as one that was no longer in this world, but as one already dead to those who were dearest to him and left behind . Here’s an example of divine goodness for our encouragement. Sometimes, when God removes one comfort from us, he’ll raise up another. Usually it’s one that we weren’t looking for at all. If one well dries up, the same living water will fill another one.
This is also an example of family duty. If we are a family in God’s sight, then we must care for all in the body as true family. Christ teaches children to provide for the comfort of their aging parents. If they proceed their parents in death, they should, as best they can, provide for them and meet their needs.
Jeff Martin
May 14, 2006
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