SUBJ: The display of human affection as
Jesus, in His last thoughts, provides for the care of His mother and for
John, the beloved.
AIM: That we might be reminded of the duty as
children, at any age, to our parents after the example of Christ and
note that it was for her as well that He died.
INTR: It is well that the world has
designated a day to honor mothers. Many do just that on a special day.
Those who would follow the example of scripture would do so continually.
1. The commandment is given from the outset that we are to honor our
father and mother that our days may be long upon the land - often
remembered as the first commandment with promise.
2. As in so many
things, superficial attendance to these things is often rendered by the
world, but the true believer acts in harmony with the Spirit of truth
and life - in privilege as well as obligation.
3. The importance of
this is shown by none other than the Lord Himself as He, in the midst of
His suffering, assures the wellbeing of His mother.
THESIS: The elevation of a human
responsibility to such a high plane as this makes it a matter of
necessity to us and such necessity in which we literally sense the
spiritual presence of Christ in us.
I. The scene at Calvary (v. 25)
1. It is often found uncomfortable to consider the awful spectacle of
our Lord's crucifixion.
1) We are reminded of the ordeal that
preceded this scene.
2) We are reminded that He had told beforehand
what was to happen.
3) And the imposition of such physical agony on
the innocent Lamb of God.
2. We are also brought to see human
depravity at its worst.
1) We consider the howling mob.
2) And the
jeering religionist who were filling up the measure of their fathers.
3) The cruel nature of men wherein death alone would not suit them -
they demanded suffering and humiliation.
3. Near the cross, among the
crowd, stood Mary and three other women whose faith and courage
compelled them to follow Christ despite such circumstances.
4. No
doubt Mary was made to rehearse several scenes from the past
thirty-three years.
1) The troubling visit from the Angel Gabriel
with the news she was to bear the Messiah.
2) The declaration and
prophecy of Simeon: Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God,
and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according
to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast
prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:28-32)
3) AND, And
Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy
own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke
2:34-35)
II. Our Lord’s care for His mother (vv. 26-27).
1.
Mary’s life is somewhat obscure, and she is not mentioned much during
His earthly ministry.
1) She appeared with Him at the wedding in
Cana. We will remember that He addressed her there as "Woman."
2) He
does likewise from the cross. Neither is a matter of disrespect; it
rather declares His deity and her as one of the redeemed. And would
direct her to seeing Him as Lord. (It may be that using such and address
He may have spared her from the ridicule of the crowd). She was
suffering enough at what she was seeing.
3) It may well be that He
would head off any ideas of Mary-worship and we consider: See Matthew
12:47-50
2. Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!
1) John
identifies himself here as the disciple who Jesus loved.
2) Mary had,
in all probability, been a widow for some time. Joseph is not after
Jesus was 12.
3) Both Mary and John would have understood the
significance of what was said:
i. This was an imperative and would be
binding on their hearts.
ii. She would look to John as an adult son
with the assurance of His loving and honoring her in the stead of Jesus.
iii. John would gladly receive her into his life as truly his own
mother.
III. The implications to us.
1. Human relationships
have been established from the beginning and we note that "Adam called
his wife Eve; because she was the mother of all living."
2. That
Jesus acknowledged and provided for His earthly mother not only
reinforces the commandment to us; it also, displays His submission to
and the honoring of it all.
3. In that He so acted in His dying hour
leaves us without excuse and gives us a reason to rejoice at being sons
and daughters.
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