Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
“Jesus saw His mother.” Over the last couple of days we’ve been watching Jesus as He was hanging from the nails that were pounded into His hands and feet, suffocating because that’s what happens when you’re on a cross. What have we seen? We’ve seen Jesus, choosing not to focus on His pain and suffering. Instead, Jesus was focused on the people surrounding Him, the ones right in front of Him. Jesus’ heart was filled with love, patience, forgiveness, gentleness, and kindness toward them all. First, to His enemies, then to the criminals surrounding Him, and today we see Jesus focused on His mother and friend.
Jesus shows such kindness in the middle of His pain and suffering again, this time to family and friends. Jesus made sure that His mom, who was at the foot of His cross, would be taken care of after He was gone. His words, “‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother,’” remind us that our Holy Savior, was also Jesus, the son of Mary. Jesus was a good and loving son.
How are we going to respond to this example set today? Again, I am completely humbled as I watch Jesus pouring out His love while hanging there, dying on the cross. Because of what I see Jesus doing, I must take an honest look at how I’m treating my family and friends. Am I pouring out love into them, or am I withholding love from them? Am I so focused on what I need and want that I don’t even see their needs? Am I withholding my love when they don’t perfectly meet my needs or don’t act the way I want them to? Do I need to go to a family member or a friend and ask for forgiveness or offer forgiveness to mend the relationship?
In Philippians 2:3-5, we’re instructed to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, Who humbly and gently loved all of those people surrounding Him, including His family and friends, as He was dying on the cross for our sins. How can we, His children, do anything less? Again, another command to humbly reach out and love as Christ Jesus loved, which is impossible for us to do on our own. But not impossible with Jesus, Who knows how to lay down His life for others.
Scripture Inspired Prayer
Jesus, again I am amazed by You! Help me follow Your example of pouring out love into my family and friends. It’s hard! But I am determined to lay down my wants and needs, just like You did, and allow You to teach me how to humbly love those closest to me. Please show me if there is someone I need to go to and forgive or ask forgiveness from. Fill me with Your courage, strength, and words to be able to do what You’re calling me to do. Thank You for showing me how to humbly and selflessly love the people in my life.
