Pastor's Note

 John 19:24-27

“They divided my garments among them,

    and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The cross was a place of great pain. We even have an English word that reflects that point: “Excruciating”. Ex = out of. Crux = Cross. Excruciating means, literally, “out of the cross pain.” Jesus helps out his mother when he is, himself, going through an immense amount of pain and misery. Not only is he suffering physically, but he is spiritually suffering. He has all our guilt and all our shame heaped on him. He is suffering with a tormented soul, for sins which he did not commit.

Yet in the middle of that intense, excruciating pain, he directs his attention to help out his mother, Mary. This is Mary, who as a young teenager, experienced the supernatural power of the Most High and would physically give birth to God’s Son. 

To think of the pain and misery Jesus was going through and he chose to help out his mother in that deep dark hurt that he was experiencing. He cared more for her. 

What lessons can we learn from Jesus? Well, it would be easy to dismiss the pain, because we will never experience what Jesus went through on our behalf. It might also be possible to look to psychology - The psychology of helping when you are in pain. There are physical and emotional benefits from helping others. It is emotionally health promoting for us to give aid to others, even when we are going through difficulties.

But Jesus’ reasons for helping his mother go back to His obligation and desire to do the Father’s will.

In Luke 2 . . . 

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

As the perfect Son of God, perfect son of Mary, He knew what she would experience. And he cared for her. How much did He care? Matthew 9:36 has the word, compassion, which shows how much.

Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” 

THis word, compassion, means much more than mere intellectual compassion. In the Greek, it implies an internal pain that is experienced by, in this case, Jesus. “Jesus’ insides hurt!” 

The knowledge that our pain is felt by Jesus is highly moving! We need to know this personal connection. The knowledge that his great concern is not for himself, it is for humanity. His concern is for us. He demonstrates that in his care for his mother and he demonstrates that in his care for us. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, [Jesus] (John 3:16).”

That’s an objective statement, which is true for all people. But lakes take this and apply it along with Jesus’ personal concern for the family of God. Now it becomes subjective. Jesus cares for the whole world AND he cares for each individual who lives in the world. 

Historically we know from church history that John did take care of Jesus’ mother. She ended up going with John to Ephesus. THe family of God was a way to benefit Mary. The Family of God will always, by the power of the Holy Spirit, care for each other. Jesus’ care for his best friend, John, led John to take up the call to help Mary - as his own mother. 

Jesus took up the call to help us; we are able and equipped to see others in need and help. But that is not the prime message of this devotion - that is a side note. The highlighted portion of this text is an emphasis on How Jesus’ care and concern IS for us. His crucifixion proves that - Heaven is won.

His devotion to His mother, Mary proves that He cares deeply for others even as He is suffering immense pain - Pain that I caused Him, pain that each person on earth caused him, and pain that Mary caused Jesus. Yet He cares for her. Our sins are the pain He did bare. But even in that misery, His thoughts were dedicated to saving us.

Hebrews 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God

He endured the pain because He longed for the Joy ahead of Him - being eternally connected with you. Having you as an eternal brother, and eternal sister. That was His drive on the cross.

Praise and glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pain, poured for ME the lifeblood, from His sacred veins.

Amen.