Behold, Your Mother!

On Election Day, 5/5/18, in the middle of a hot Texas day, Tanya and I drove to our polling place to vote. As we pulled in, we saw an energetic cheerleader. This woman was enthusiastically raising and lowering a huge sign with the name of her preferred candidate for the Keller City Council. As we looked we recognized her! She was one of our members at church! Though in her 80’s, you might have thought she was in her 30’s if you saw her in action!

What was she doing? She was campaigning for her son!

That’s what mothers do! You campaign for your children and help us win! And we salute you today!

Guess who won that election? Her son, of course. And now you know why! Though she refused to take the credit – another habit of mothers – you know that her love and commitment helped carry her son to victory!

Let’s think together about another mother devoted to her son. And let’s see how her son cared for his mother when he told a friend nearby, “Behold, your mother!”

Reading: John 19:23-30

As Jesus hung upon the cross, dealing with agony, ridicule, and soldiers gambling for His clothes, John writes, “Jesus saw His mother.” What went through His mind? She had given human life to Him; now He would provide eternal life for her. And in the meantime He insured that she would have the care of the one He designated as her “son” – the disciple Jesus loved.

Fascinating to think about those who witnessed the death of Christ. Where were they? Why were they there?

Perhaps even more intriguing to think about: would we have been there. Where? How close? Why? And what would we do differently after witnessing the event?

At the Cross: Who and Why?

The bloodthirsty mob that shouted, “Crucify!”

The Roman soldiers, doing their job, gambling.

The sarcastic passersby. “Come down!”

The curious onlookers, seeing the spectacle.

The thieves on both sides, deserving to die.

The centurion in charge, watching how He died.

Jesus’ aunt, Mary’s sister Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John.

Mary, the wife of Clopas, possibly the mother of James the Younger and Joseph (Mt 27:56).

Mary Magdalene.

His mother.

The disciple Jesus loved (John).

A Mother’s Allegiance

What had Mary already experienced?

How had her life been totally redirected?

Lk 1:26-56; 2:19, 33-35, 48, 51; Jn 2:1-12; 7:5

The Handmaid of the Lord – Luke 1:26-38

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-45

The Magnificat – Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Return Home – Luke 1:56

Lk 2:19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Lk 2:33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Lk 2:48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.”

Lk 2:51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

What should she have expected?

What might have deterred her?

"Neither her own danger, nor the sadness of the spectacle, nor the insults of the crowd, could restrain her from performing the last office of duty and tenderness to her Divine Son on the Cross" (Doddridge).

What drove her to the cross?

What might she have felt as she watched?

Confused

Helpless

Incredibly anguished

Angry at the injustice

Aware of the necessity

Thankful for her friends

A Son’s Awareness

“Jesus saw His mother and the disciple …”

In spite of a crowd of how many?

In what degree of sorrow and excruciating pain?

With what weight of others’ sins as His burden?

With what thoughts running through His mind?

Was He looking for anyone to be near Him?

When He saw her, what occurred to Him?

How do you think Jesus felt as he looked at his mother?

Remembering her care for him

Concerned

Sad to be leaving her

Compassionate

Grateful

Determined to honor and provide for her

What was Jesus telling his mother and his disciple?

No one is alone.

Take care of each other.

Care for the bereaved and lonely.

You need each other.

Spiritual family remains when physical relatives die.

A Friend’s Availability

“The disciple Jesus loved.” Though He loved all.

Leaned against Jesus at the Last Supper.

Asked Him about the traitor, “Lord, who is it?”

Process of elimination indicates this is John.

Faithful. Trustworthy. Dependable. Present.

A friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Jesus did not even have to ask, “Will you …?”

A Savior’s Accomplishment

“It is finished!” Jesus had completed …

His drinking of the cup.

His ministry and mission on earth.

His physical life ... until the third day.

His physical suffering.

100% payment of our debt.

A Sinner’s Acceptance

Jesus’ mother has our respect but not reverence.

Acts 1:14 – in prayer with other saved sinners.

Jesus had said, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Ac 1:14 These all (the eleven apostles) with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Mary and John are mother and son because they both belong to Christ.

Creation of a new community. Hints of this earlier.

Lk 8:19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

A new family, community, and relationship.

It’s called the church, and it’s only for sinners.

Possible hymns:

Ten Thousand Angels

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

At the Cross, at the Cross

Kneel at the Cross