READING: John 19:25-27
TEXT: “…Jesus. . .said to His mother, ‘Woman behold thy son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’…” (19:26-27).
Introduction: A.Those Who Were Standing by the Cross (19:25) It is uncertain whether John mentions three women or four. If we compare the various accounts it would seem that the following is the case. Reference is made to the women at the cross here, in Matthew 27:56, and in Mark 15:40. Comparing the accounts we see that:
John alone mentions Mary the mother of Jesus
All three mention Mary Magdalene
Matthew and Mark mention Mary the mother of James and J oses, a woman John describes as the wife of Cleophas. Mark adds the information that her son James was known as james the Less (to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee)
Matthew mentions “the mother of the sons of Zebedee,” Mark mentions Salome, and John mentions “the sisters of Jesus’ mother.” Evidently they are all referring to the same woman (thus Salome was Mary 5 sister, the aunt of the Lord Jesus, and her sons James and Joh n were his cousins)
Apart from John, the only loved ones of Jesus who came to the cross were women.
It is impossible to describe the anguish and suffering of these four women. His mother had a million memories of him, all of them precious. Mary Magdalene had been delivered by him from a terrible form of demon possession and would have gone through fire and flood for him. The sons of Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Salome were among his followers. It is generally accepted that Joseph, the husband of Mary the Lord’s mother, was dead and that she was now a widow. Her other children were not yet believers.
The Lord looked down from his cross and saw this forlorn little group, especially his mother. This was no place for her.
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He acted in love and grace. He would not send her back to her natural home where she might have to listen to words from her unbelieving family which would only add to her grief. He would send her home with John. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the discipIe, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (19:26-27).
This third word from the cross conjures up one of the tenderest scenes to be witnessed on that all-eventful day. Four women and one man stood stunned, brokenhearted, helpless, listening, watching. Would the Master speak again When He did His words of affection were expressing:
I. The Son’s Confidence in His Mother
(John 19:26 KJV) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
1) A Sacrificing Love (Luke 2:7 KJV) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
2) A Sheltering Love (Mat 2:13 KJV) And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
(Mat 2:14 KJV) When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
(Mat 2:15 KJV) And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
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3) A Succoring Love (Luke 2:51 KJV) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
4) A Submitting Love (John 2:4 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come. This is not a rebuke here, what he is saying to her is let it is time to let me go and do what I came for
5) A Suffering Love (John 19:25 KJV) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
II. The Son’s Courtesy to His Mother
(John 19:26 KJV) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
1) The Courtesy of an Approved Son
(Luke 2:49 KJV) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business Vrs. 51 and was subject unto them
2) The Courtesy of an Anointed Servant(John 2:4 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come.
3) The Courtesy of an Appointed Savior (John 19:26 KJV) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
(John 19:27 KJV) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
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III. The Son’s Care of His Mother
He left her in good hands, hands that he could trust to do the jobif left in your hands what kind of hands would she be in
(John 19:26 KJV) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
(John 19:27 KJV) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
1) The Selflessness of the Son ’s Care of His Mother
He saw his mother and his disciple standing by
Woman behold thy son
2) The Thoughtfulness of the Son ’s Care of His Mother
(John 19:27 KJV) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! See to her needs
3) The Costliness of the Son ’s Care of His Mother
(19:27) And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Conclusion
when our relationships have their origin at the cross are they 1) SANCTIFIED,
2) SURRENDERED, AND TRULY
3) SATISFIED.
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