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 19:26-27
The first time I read these two verses, I was struggling a lot with my own relationship with Christ. Why couldn’t I love him more? But God has been teaching me about how to love him and where that love comes from, so with different heart and eyes, I wanted to take another look at this passage.
It amazes me the capacity of Jesus’ love. He hangs from the cross, but his concern is still for his mother, “Mom! I know you’re losing your son, but you are gaining another.” Then to John, “I entrust you my mother to care for as your own.” How great is that love that fights through pain and agony, always looking at its own state second ensuring the best for the recipients of that love. It’s beyond me.
One thing to note here is that Jesus had brothers, so his mother would have been taken care of, yet he still charges John the task of being his mother’s son. Why is that? What did God intend for us to see here?
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:19-21
When Jesus wins over our lives and we put our trust in him, we’re re-born not only to life, but to family. Christian, you are my brother. Believer, you are my sister. We are God’s adopted in the family of Light.
Christian, how are we doing here? Family goes to the ends of the Earth for each other. Father, what must I give up for my brothers and sisters to show them that which will satisfy their souls most? You would not leave your mother on the streets in February without a blanket. If your brother needed a car to get to work, you’d give him yours. So we must give without regards to cost, for all you have is given to glorify our Dad.
My heart always sinks when I hear stories of broken families. Hearing the statistics that come out of schools in AISD is disheartening at best. Sadness is looking into a child’s eyes and not seeing a little boy or a little girl, but a loss of innocence and a premature familiarity with loneliness. I can’t wait for the day when all of that ends. Until then, we give everything for them, as God gave everything for us.
Friend, where do you come from? It’s no matter, there is someone that wants you to be with them. He’s my Dad. He knows everything about you, but he still loves you and I can’t even begin to describe it. He wanted to save you so badly that he sent my big brother to die for you. Keep walking with me. I’ll tell you all about him.
