Jesus’ Love for Mary

We are continuing our meditation on the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and especially, the seven last statements that Christ made while on the cross. Today we look at the third statement:

3) “He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!'” (John 19:26-27).

Looking down from the cross, Jesus saw His mother, Mary, standing and being supported by the apostle John. We don't hear of Joseph, Mary's husband, being around during Jesus' ministry. Joseph had died at some point, but the Scriptures are quiet as to what happened to him. To care for Mary was Jesus' responsibility due to being the firstborn of the family. He did not pass on the responsibility to His half-brothers. He asked John, the disciple whom He loved, to take care of Mary. He did not call her mother, but woman, lest people attribute divinity to her.
There are some who say that Mary should be acknowledged as divine, but the Scriptures are clear that she herself was a sinful creature just as all human beings are. She had already acknowledged her need of a Savior for her sin (Luke 1:47). The Holy Spirit had come upon her and the Son of God, who had been from eternity past, the same One who created the world (John 1:1-4; 14), entered into the world through Mary to be born as a human in order to be a perfect sacrifice for sin. 

This love by Jesus for His mother shows us more of the character of the Lord. Even while in terrible pain, He was still exhibiting care and love for those closest to Him. John further tells us:  “From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:27). Christ knew that His death would bring great grief to her soul, for all her dreams were wrapped up in Jesus. Her dreams for her nation and for her vindication that she had not sinned in the matter of her pregnancy of Jesus’ birth. It really had been a virgin birth, and it had to be because Jesus had to be perfectly free of a sin nature to be a totally innocent sacrifice for sin. Only at the resurrection would she be finally vindicated, when it was seen that this One, the Lord Jesus, would rise again from the dead—the incarnate Son of God. Yes, her weeping and sorrow would be great, and she needed John at her side to endure it.

At midday, the midpoint of His suffering on the cross, the sixth hour by Jewish reckoning, darkness covered the whole land. The laughter, comedy, and scorn by the ruling elders were over at this point, for God Himself showed up. Yes, the Lord who “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16), also visits in thick darkness. “He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky” (Psalm 18:11).In another place, Scripture says of God, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Psalm 97:2). When God showed up at Mount Sinai, Moses wrote of Him, “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the very heart of the heavens: darkness, cloud, and thick gloom" (Deuteronomy 4:11). The very air was pungent with the presence of the Holy One, who drew near bringing judgment for sin on His Son instead of us. It was during that time of darkness, this writer believes, that every sin and act of rebellion while on this planet, past present and future, were laid on Christ: "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed"(1 Peter 2:24).

Thank you, Lord, for taking upon yourself, our sin and unrighteousness. Thank you for your substitutionary death for us and as us. Thank you for your mercy and deliverance from sin. Amen! Keith