Caring Until His End
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:25-27, RSV.
Jesus was not alone as He moved toward death. John mentions four women and himself, the only disciple specifically mentioned by the Gospels as a witness to the death of Jesus. Some of Jesus' followers may have opted to avoid the scene because it was always dangerous to be too closely identified with a condemned criminal.
But at least the four women had the courage to be with Him until the end. They were an interesting group. We know nothing of Mary the wife of Clopas, but the other three all feature in the gospel story.
The central woman, of course, was Jesus' mother. She had greeted His birth with such joy and promise to come. But early on the prophecy of Simeon in the Temple that His life would be a sword to pierce her own soul had disturbed her (Luke 2:35). And if she had been troubled at times during His ministry, what must her feelings and heart be like now. Still not understanding the nature of his mission, she suffered at the foot of the cross in silent agony. But her mother's love would not allow her even to think of staying away. This was her son.
Then there was Jesus' mother's sister. While John's Gospel does not identify her, a comparison of the parallel passages in Mark 15:40 and Matthew 27:56 makes it evident that she is Salome, the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. She had earlier received a firm rebuke for trying to get her sons the top spots in Jesus' kingdom, but she had accepted it with a positive attitude. Now she is here at the crucifixion of her nephew.
Last, there is Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven devils (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2). She was eternally grateful for what He had done in her life.
But Jesus isn't quite finished with these women. Even on the cross in His own agony He could not forget His mother. With Joseph in his grave and His brothers not yet Christian, as the oldest son born to Mary, Jesus commits her to the care of His cousin John.
That action speaks volumes to those of us who still have parents. Our care for them must be central in our list of priorities.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:25-27, RSV.
Jesus was not alone as He moved toward death. John mentions four women and himself, the only disciple specifically mentioned by the Gospels as a witness to the death of Jesus. Some of Jesus' followers may have opted to avoid the scene because it was always dangerous to be too closely identified with a condemned criminal.
But at least the four women had the courage to be with Him until the end. They were an interesting group. We know nothing of Mary the wife of Clopas, but the other three all feature in the gospel story.
The central woman, of course, was Jesus' mother. She had greeted His birth with such joy and promise to come. But early on the prophecy of Simeon in the Temple that His life would be a sword to pierce her own soul had disturbed her (Luke 2:35). And if she had been troubled at times during His ministry, what must her feelings and heart be like now. Still not understanding the nature of his mission, she suffered at the foot of the cross in silent agony. But her mother's love would not allow her even to think of staying away. This was her son.
Then there was Jesus' mother's sister. While John's Gospel does not identify her, a comparison of the parallel passages in Mark 15:40 and Matthew 27:56 makes it evident that she is Salome, the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. She had earlier received a firm rebuke for trying to get her sons the top spots in Jesus' kingdom, but she had accepted it with a positive attitude. Now she is here at the crucifixion of her nephew.
Last, there is Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven devils (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2). She was eternally grateful for what He had done in her life.
But Jesus isn't quite finished with these women. Even on the cross in His own agony He could not forget His mother. With Joseph in his grave and His brothers not yet Christian, as the oldest son born to Mary, Jesus commits her to the care of His cousin John.
That action speaks volumes to those of us who still have parents. Our care for them must be central in our list of priorities.
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