My pastor recently asked me to speak at our church’s Good Friday service. He requested my speech be about one of Jesus’s statements from the cross. The statements I am to speak on is “Woman, here is your son,” and “Here is your mother.” Despite the fact that I’m not a fan of public speaking, I felt called to accept. Today’s post is what I have come up with for my short speech on the topic.
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdelene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Mary, Mother of Jesus
When I read this passage, I immediately try seeing things from Mary’s point of view. Jesus is her son. He may be a grown man at this point in time, but the fact remains that she carried him in her womb, gave birth to him, loved him, watched him grow, feared for his safety, and likely prayed for him daily. Witnessing the crucifixion was probably the most difficult thing she’d ever experienced.
I know this because I, too, am a mother to a son. Like Mary, I carried and gave birth to him. I love him and watch him grow. I fear for his safety far too often and I pray for him every single day.
So, I understand the love that Mary has for Jesus.
But at the same time, I don’t know exactly how Mary felt at this moment. Unlike any other mother, Mary’s son was also her savior – The Savior. She knew that in death, Jesus would be seated at the right hand of the father.
The part of Mary that was losing her firstborn son to a painful death was already grieving. While it is too painful for me to even imagine my own son nailed to a cross, Mary had to live that situation. She could do nothing but stand at the foot of the cross and wait for Jesus’s suffering to end. Because where else would a mother be, but by her child in his last moments?
Jesus’s Statement to His Mother
Knowing the grief she would feel, Jesus seeks to offer his Earthly mother comfort. So, amongst the immense pain he is feeling, he says, “Woman, here is your son.” A sentence encouraging Mary to find comfort in the loved disciple, whom we’ve come to believe was John.
Who better to find comfort in than a beloved friend of your child – one that loved him and was loved in return?
The trust that Jesus must have held for John – to be able to ask someone to care for your mother in your physical absence – it was an important job. So when Jesus said, “Here is your mother,” John obeys without question.
It would be a prestigious honor to be given this job. At the same time, you have to wonder why Jesus chose John and not one of Mary’s own sons. Even in his most painful moments, He knew the plans intended for his people.
So while John gave up the limelight of leading thousands of souls to Jesus, he remained with Mart, as Jesus had instructed.
I like to think that Mary found the peace and comfort that she needed by living with John until the end of her days. That despite the loss of her son, she lived, as we all do because of the death of The Savior.
As a mother, Mary hurt. As a daughter, she was saved.
What I Learned
I’ve been a mom for just over 2 years. During that time, I have considered what Mary must have felt seeing her son on the cross. However, until my Pastor made the request that I speak at the service, I have never gone deep into thought over it. I now see Easter and the resurrection in a whole new light. Despite everything that was going on, Jesus still felt the need to ensure his mother was taken care of.
That was a lesson I never knew I needed. The love and compassion of Jesus knew no bounds. That remains true today.