Where are the disciples?

I hope you are enjoying and getting something from this intensive look at the words of Christ on the cross. The Lent season is a special time in Christianity and specifically in our lives as believers. All that we are and all that we have is a direct result of what Christ did at Calvary. Every blessing in our lives funnels through his efficacious work!!

This week we are dealing with an interesting and inspiring exchange that takes place in John 19:25-26. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!” Three characters unfold in this scene! Jesus, His mother, and John the beloved.

John is the only disciple standing there. Where are the others? For fear they had scattered and left Christ to die alone. All except John. The cross is a lonely place and the closer we get to God’s will, the further people get from us. There is Mary.... one thing to notice of her!!! She is silent!!! Her silence is stark biblical evidence that Jesus is truly the Son of God carrying out the plan of salvation on the earth. Had she made up a story and told a lie when she was pregnant, the truth would have come out the moment they began to beat her son. However, she said nothing! She knew this was his destiny and man’s hope of salvation.

Let’s look at Jesus! Writhing in pain with the weight of every person's sin in humanity sin on him. The rejection of the Father, the darkness of betrayal, and so much more we could mention. However, it is at this moment Jesus is concerned for his mother. His civic and familial duties did not lessen even as he was carrying out the great eternal task of redeeming all of mankind. Here we see the perfect man setting an example for children to honor their parents. Listen to him, and I paraphrase, “John take care of mom; mom let John take care of you now”. He is looking out for his mom!! Christ honored his mother.... so should we!!

In this, I must mention that our spiritual relationships and duties as a Christian should not influence the responsibilities we have naturally in a negative way. A husband still needs to be a husband; fathers and mothers take care of your children; and sons and daughters honor your parents. Our duties to all the human family are still important. Civic and societal duties must be given attention. Just because we have a work for God and responsibility as a Christian to carry out things biblically doesn’t allow us to wiggle off the hook when it comes to natural things. We should pray, but we still need to go to work. We should witness, but we still have a family for which we must administer care.

Jesus is teaching us that no matter what we are doing, it is the people in our lives that are paramount. Let’s embrace not only his grace for our soul and spirit but let us embrace, empowered by his grace, the people we love. “John take care of mom.”