Three sayings that Jesus spoke during the first three hours of our Lord’s crucifixion have been preserved. The third saying will be the focus of this article. First, note some background.
Jesus knew beforehand that once He was taken, the disciples would distance themselves from Him. He had even told them, “All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad” (Matthew 26:31). Who can forget the vehement denials of Peter?
When all had forsaken Jesus, the exception reads like this: “But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). Surely, words cannot express the intensity of Mary’s agony as she gazed upon her Son.
There was, however, another exception. Along with the women, there was a man at the foot of the cross. “Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved” (John 19:26). The one apostle who clung more closely to Jesus than all the rest, known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20), was John.
Looking down upon this little band of disciples, Jesus said, “Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26). The statement which follows reveals that He was not calling attention to Himself. Rather, he was calling His mother’s attention to John. He then said to John, “Behold, thy mother!” (John 19:27).
The 5th commandment of the Decalogue required men to “Honor thy father and thy mother…” (Exodus 20:12). Even while enduring the agony of the torture, Jesus summoned the energy to ensure continued care for His mother! In essence, Jesus was calling upon His mother to allow John to take His place as her son, and He was asking John to assume the care of His mother. Jesus wanted His mother to “adopt” His best friend, and for His friend to “adopt” His mother.
We have no doubt of John’s willingness, for the Bible reveals that “from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:27). Almost for certain, Joseph was dead at this time. Jesus and His family had been poor from His birth (Luke 2:22-24, the offering allowed for the poor). A widow in Israel had little means of support.
Are your parents living? Show them the honor they deserve. It is not enough to send flowers on Mother’s Day. Give them the care they deserve. How sad it is when grown children, rather than caring for their parents, are still being propped up by their parents!
