SAYINGS ON THE CROSS: #3
Title: "Behold Your Mother"
Scripture: John 19:26-27 (NIV) "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."
Introduction:
As we continue to journey through the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come to the third saying from
the cross. In this moment, we witness the compassion and care of our Savior as he entrusts his mother to
the care of the beloved disciple. Today, we will explore the significance of this moment and what it means
for us as followers of Christ.
Body:
1. The Love for Mother: As Jesus hangs on the cross, he looks down and sees his mother standing
there, watching him suffer. In that moment, he is filled with compassion and care for her. He knows
that she will be left alone after he is gone, and he wants to ensure that she will be taken care of.
This moment reminds us of the incredible love and sacrifice of mothers, who are willing to stand
by their children in even the most difficult of circumstances.
2. The Disciple's Response: In entrusting his mother to the care of the beloved disciple, Jesus shows
us the importance of community and care for one another. The disciple takes Mary into his own
home, fulfilling Jesus' request. This moment reminds us that we are called to care for one another,
to love and support each other, especially in times of need.
3. The Significance for Us: Finally, Jesus' words to his mother and the disciple have significance for us
as followers of Christ. They remind us that we are not alone, that we are part of a larger
community of believers who are called to care for one another. They also remind us of the
importance of family, and the ways in which we are called to love and care for our own families,
and those who are like family to us.
4. Furthermore, the statement "Behold your mother" underscores the significance of the cross as the
moment of redemption and the establishment of a new family in Christ. Through his sacrifice, Jesus
not only reconciled us to God but also created a new community of believers, bound together by
his blood and above biological ties.
5. Finally, this statement also highlights the significance of Mary as the model disciple, who followed
Jesus all the way to the foot of the cross. In entrusting Mary to John, Jesus is demonstrating the
importance of following him and carrying out his mission, even in the face of suffering and
hardship. Mary becomes a model of faith and perseverance, reminding us of our call to walk in the
footsteps of her son, no matter the cost.
6. It also shows that ones responsibilities greatly increases as one witness the cross. The importance
of community and the value of caring for one another, as exemplified by Jesus entrusting Mary to
John. This statement can serve as a reminder to Christians to care for one another and to value
relationships and community, even in the midst of suffering and hardship.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on Jesus' third saying from the cross, we are reminded of the incredible love and care of our
Savior. His entrusting of his mother to the care of the beloved disciple reminds us of the importance of
community and care for one another. Let us take a moment to give thanks to God for the gift of family and
community, and let us continue to love and care for one another, as Christ has called us to do.
