Read John 19:25-27. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Reflections on the Word.
Death eventually comes to all of us. Some of us may find ourselves or a loved one in a tragic situation, saying our goodbyes in the ER or hospice care. It is only a matter of time death catches up to us and knocks on our door.
Those of us who have faced a crisis may have considered what we will say to our loved ones before we pass away. There may be family members or friends who come by to “visit” with us. They know it may be the last time.
Those who loved Jesus came to his final moments. The text says this, “25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (NIV).
Four women are mentioned by name and one unknown disciple of Jesus. The disciples fled that night, but now it was near noon. They had time to reflect on their actions and to ponder on what they would do or say next. I think their hearts were searching for what to say to their beloved Teacher. They deserted him, he was condemned for crucifixion and now he was dying. What were they going to say or do?
There is no record that the siblings of Jesus came to Golgotha. It doesn’t mean that they were not present. John recorded that Jesus’ mother was there. Painfully, she came to see her son. It must have been very difficult for her and the women with her. I am almost certain that Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, perhaps even Martha and Lazarus were present. Jesus may have been surrounded by those who loved him. Jesus didn’t die alone, but he alone bore the sins of the world.
I ask myself, “Would I be there at the cross?” You may ask yourself, “Would I be there at the cross?” I wonder how close I would come to the cross. Would I stand far off so that no one associate me with Jesus, or would I be at foot of the cross? Where would you be? Last, if Jesus had some last words for us, what would he say to us and how would you and I respond to the words that he would say? Take a moment to think about it.
-Kingston