“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother… When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said, to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:25-27)
This an interesting passage of Scripture that barely gets any attention, but I think it speaks volumes. So let me set up the scenario for you. Jesus is crucified. Nails in hands and feet. Still alive, but suffering and in pain. He knows that it’s just a matter of time before he dies. Most people in this situation won’t be thinking about others. But Jesus. He’s different.
There was someone vulnerable in his life and that was his mother. You can imagine the anguish and turmoil she was experiencing seeing her son who she birthed, bathed, fed, raised, being unjustly killed for no real crime, while not being able to do anything about it. It will just about kill any mother to witness.
Jesus from the cross wanted to make sure that his mother was looked after so he told John (presumably) to look after her. Every time I come to this passage of Scripture I don’t know why, but I tear up. Jesus clearly loved his mother to the very end.
The question for you is “Do you love your mother like this?” Or substitute “mother” for the other relationships you have in your life, particularly those who made you who you are today?