Of all the things that was on Jesus’ mind as He was suffering on the cross, He wanted to make sure His mother was taken care of. This was the woman who raised Jesus as a child. This was the woman who was obedient to God and made great sacrifice. She followed Him to the end.
John 19:25-27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
In these days, women were not held in high regard. But the women were often the ones who were faithful and were often the ones God revealed Himself to. He revealed Himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well. He first revealed Himself risen from the dead to Mary Magdelene. Jesus often paid special attention to women and children. They were important to Him. He loved His mother and wanted her taken care of. God not only commands us to honor our parents, but promises us a blessing when we do.
Deuteronomy 5:16
‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,” which is the first commandment with promise: “THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”
Jesus also turns to John, His beloved disciple and reminds Him that he will be taken care of, that he is family.
John 14:18-21
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Maybe Jesus is reminding His disciple of this very thing. That everything will be alright, that He loves Him. Though the disciples did not understand, He told them that He would die, but He would return. And He did. He also told them to love each other. He says, you are my friends. He says, love one another. He says, do not fear, but be filled with joy.
John 15:11-17
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.”
With times like these, it is a good time to remember, not only that Jesus loves us, but that we can be filled with joy when we trust in Him. When you feel afraid, turn to Him. Just as the disciples were afraid at this time, He had a plan for them. Just as He has a plan for us. He will guide us through this. He always does. And, He will return again!
My Daily Scriptures 