THE THIRD STATEMENT ON THE CROSS.
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. Amen
According to John 2: 4 and John 19: 26, the Lord Jesus called His dear mother “woman” instead MOTHER, and no! He was not being rude.
In John 2: 4 He called His mother “Woman” just before He would perform His first miracle (or commence His ministry) and in John 19: 26 He calls his dear mother “Woman” again; just before He ends His ministry.
Probably the former was to signify that the time to act as the Son of God was near and that He (Jesus) was from that day going to yield to the Will of His father in heaven and not His earthly parents. The latter, was probably so to signify the end of His earthly assignment and ties with His earthly mother. When He resurrects… He was going to remain God not relate with Mary as mother anymore.
The bible gives no account of Joseph at the time of the crucifixion; peharps he had passed on, but Jesus could not just leave His dear mother like that. He handed Mary to his most loved desciple as her new family.
Jesus was re-establishing a profound fact: THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY. Family is the first institution on earth; the basic unit of every society. Salvation does not imply cutting family ties but rather bringing all loved once to the saving knowledge of Christ.
WE ARE CALLED INTO A FAMILY – THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE ARE HIS HOLY NATION, HIS ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AND HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE. WE NEED TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER THEREFORE AND DEMONSTRATE HIS LOVE EVERYWHERE WE GO.
Many at times, we are most ashamed and unwilling to share our faith with members of our household (parents, brothers and sisters and other members of the family) because we feel they know all our flaws and might juxtapose them with the words we preach and use that against us. We would rather travel miles away from home to evangelise to strangers.
Beloved, every family member needs salvation too. When Rahab was saved, her family was not left out. When Zacchaeus was saved, his household was not left out!
Pray for the salvation of your family, evangelise to your household, show love and care to the aged, sick, widowed and young in the family. No matter how challenging the situation of your family may be, the love of Christ you show will turn things around. Begin to pray now.
