Behold Your Mother
John 19: 25-30
Filial love between mother and child is the most natural bond in creation. This is why the evils of abortion and child abuse are particularly heinous in the sight of God.
In this passage, there is much to learn about this unique bond and also about Jesus’ adherence to the Law, the brave ministry of “just being there,” the surpassing value of love, the bold new relationships the Spirit creates in the Church, and more.
Verse 25 –
“The soldiers did these things…” In the immediate context, the “things” in question are the gambling for His cloak. But remember the Roman guards had also mocked, taunted and brutally abused Him.
But in stark contrast, the women were there standing by the cross. There was little they could do and they must have felt helpless, frustrated and deeply grieved. But they were there.
Sometimes it is an important ministry just to be there. To pray. To witness. To share in someone’s sufferings. Combining other Scriptures, it seems the women included Mary, His mother; Salome; Mary Magdalene; Mary, the wife of Clopas (perhaps the Clopas of the Emmaus Road); and the mother of James and John. Again, they were there – at whatever risk and at whatever pain; they were there.
All the other disciples had fled except John, the apostle who Jesus loved.
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was certainly suffering more than any of the other spectators. After all, it was her arms that had cradled Him; her hands that had nursed Him; her voice that had taught Him, called Him to dinner, sang Him to sleep. She who had so carefully, tenderly cared for Jesus was now completely helpless to serve Him. What He was experiencing now, He had to face alone.
This was the prophecy of Simeon being fulfilled. (Luke 2: 34 & 35). Jesus had been appointed for “the rise and fall of many in Israel.” His offer of salvation was for everyone but He did not override a person’s will thus, the rise or fall was dependent on their faith in or rejection of the Messiah. But so many had rejected Him, including most of the religious leaders. The “sign” of His authority had been opposed. Indeed, it was opposed to the point of the unjust, illegal and barbaric murder now taking place.
The sword which literally pierced Jesus’ side was the sword of Simeon’s prophecy. That meant it cut Mary’s soul – not physically, but its spiritual, emotional pain could hardly have been greater even it had cut her in two.
All motherhood involves suffering and sacrifice. But Mary’s must have been especially excruciating. She knew her Son was innocent. Indeed, she knew her Son was free from sin completely. And yet here He was, naked and beaten and mocked…and now nearing death.
However, I believe that even though Mary was looking with the eyes of love on a scene that so pierced her soul, she was also looking at Jesus with eyes of faith. She may not have understood everything that was happening or how or when exactly it would all work out, but I think she knew that Jesus was right then performing the work of the Lamb of God for which He had been sent. Remember Mary’s tremendous song from
Luke 1: 46-56? The song she sang after the visit from the angel and the confirmation by Elizabeth? Mary was a keen student of the Old Testament and she saw deeper into the prophecies of the suffering Messiah then most. So even in her agony and confusion there in the shadow of the cross, I believe Mary knew that a great, wonderful mystery was being performed. I think she understood that Jesus was paying the price for sin that no mere mortal could pay on their own.
Verse 26 –
“Jesus saw” Mary and John. Amazing. Even in the shame, the physical torture and the spiritual suffering Jesus was enduring as He bore the sins of all mankind, He was not absorbed in His own experience. Even here, even now, Jesus was taking care of an important piece of business. It was an act of love and obedience in making sure His mother was taken care of.
Jesus, even on the cross, is demonstrating His love for Mary. And His love, though certainly full of gratitude and emotion and tenderness in light of all she had been to Him, was something bigger than even a love of a son towards his mother. Jesus’ love for Mary was as the Son of God to a needy daughter of Israel, a woman for whose sin He was paying the ultimate price. Only in this way could the mother of God become the daughter of God.
But note – Jesus’ taking care of Mary’s spiritual future (opening the way of heaven for her as she would receive His sacrifice in her behalf) did not preclude Him from taking care of her earthly future. No; as a faithful servant of God, Jesus remains true to the 5th Commandment as He provides for His mother’s needs after He is gone. This clear Commandment (Exodus 20:12) had been distorted by the Jewish leaders (see Matthew 15:3-9 and/or Mark 7:9-13) but Jesus does what the Father desires. As always, Jesus rebukes the false teaching so prevalent in the religious leadership of the time by precept and example.
Thus, He Who had once looked up from the manger at His loving mother now looks down from a bloody cross at her. And He says, “Woman, behold your son.”
He speaks first to Mary before speaking to John. And the use of “woman” is the use of a respectful title; it is dignified, not distant. And yet Jesus doesn’t call her Mother because He is instituting a brand new relationship which He desires all parties to appreciate fully.
Mary is to look at John. And the word here is a strong one. Take a good, long look at John now. And in him see your son. As you have cared for Me and as you have allowed Me to care for you, understand that you are now to do the same with My apostle John.
He then tells John to behold Mary and to see her as his mother. Not in any literal sense, of course. After all, John’s physical mother is standing right there. She too hears these words of Jesus. No, what the Lord is saying is to treat Mary as your mother. Love her. Honor her. Provide for her.
In thus concluding this piece of business, Jesus is not only obeying the 5th Commandment but all of the Scriptures which refer to the services owed by a man of God to widows. Here’s a few examples of that important teaching: Deuteronomy 24: 17-22; Jeremiah 7: 3-7; Exodus 22: 22 & 23; Job 31: 16-28; Proverbs 15: 25 and 23: 10 & 11; Psalm 68:5; and 146: 9.
It is fascinating to see that Jesus did not entrust His mother to any of His half brothers or sisters. He didn’t put her in the care of a charity or the government. He didn’t select the wealthy Joseph of Arimethea to be her provider. Jesus chose John, a striking example of how high a priority Jesus put on character, on loyalty, on love.
This new relationship that Jesus forms as He bids Mary and John to regard one another as kin is a powerful picture of what Jesus provides for all who put their trust in Him. He breaks the old bonds; He creates new things – new realities, new persons, new relationships. Jesus will soon bring into being the Church, a forever family that knows no boundaries of time, space, language or race – only the bonds of Christ’s love.
He shows this new family relationship even right here. It begins at the cross. In the same way, you and I who have trusted Christ Jesus as our Savior are part of His new family – not by our blood but by His. We are mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, brothers and sisters as we are “born again” by faith into His love.
Verses 28-30 –
Jesus has finished His earthly obligations. He has honored His mother by providing for her. He has done His duty as Mary’s son; He now finishes His duty as the Son of Man. He does so by dying in our place, paying by His blood and broken body the penalty of our sin.
In conclusion, we as Christians responding to this dramatic passage should thank God for Mary’s faithfulness to her call. We should be inspired by her knowledge of the Scriptures, her dedication to duty and her willingness to be there with Jesus even at the end.