Today’s Reading: John 19:17-27
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 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.”
* * * * *
Pilate ordered Jesus to be crucified. He was nailed to the cross, and people waited for him to die.
At the foot of the cross were Jesus’ closest friends and relatives. There was his mother, Mary. She had carried him in her womb. Now she awaited him placed in a tomb.
Mary’s sister, Salome, was there as well. She was the mother of James and John, two of the disciples. Mary Magdalene was present. She had experienced a dramatic life change when Jesus had freed her from past bondages. She’d become a new creation because of his grace.
And there was John. All the other disciples had fled in fear. They were convinced they too would be arrested and crucified. But John stayed true to the end. How great was his love and courage! He was truly the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Even in his last moments on earth, Jesus remained committed to perfectly obeying the Father’s moral law. The Ten Commandments were given by the heavenly Father to express his heart of perfect righteousness. Therefore, as death neared, Jesus desired to obey the command to honor his parents.19 He wanted to make provision for his mother after he died. She was a widow. She had no income or anyone to take care of her.
So Jesus turned to Mary and said, “Woman.” It was a term of endearment. He loved her deeply. She was a woman of extraordinary faith and obedience.
Jesus said to his mother, “Behold your son.” He wanted her to know that John would now be responsible for caring for her for the rest of her life. Jesus then pointed her to his dear friend John and told her he was now her son. From that moment onward, John took Mary into his home. He made sure her every earthly need was addressed until she died and went home to be with the Lord.
The lesson here is clear: Do the same for your parents. To honor your parents is one of the Ten Commandments. It’s also the only one that has a promise connected to it: You will live long in the land.
Yes, the Lord understands your situation if you had bad parents. If they abused you, you don’t have to let them continually abuse you. But you are still commanded to honor them. That means you pray for them. You forgive them for any wrong they’ve done to you. Perhaps because of your love for Jesus that is expressed in the ways you minister to your parents as they age, they will repent and seek forgiveness from God.
And remember this truth: You will age as well. Your children are watching you as you care for your parents. Your example will determine how they care for you.
As you honor your parents, the Lord will honor you. It’s a moral requirement from him. Always honor your parents.
Jesus did so with his mother. Do so with your parents.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]