This post is part of The Seven Words of Jesus series.
“Woman, here is your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother!”
(John 19:26-27).
Behold a dying man, hanging on a tree, bearing the full brunt of God’s wrath against sin. This man looks down at a sea full of faces on Mount Calvary.
Some soldiers, others religious leaders, citizens from Jerusalem, travelers, onlookers, and passersby. Two people stand out—a woman and a man, looking back up at the dying man: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
The woman—his mother, Mary—once held him as a newborn. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger. She listened while shepherds sang praises to God. She saw wise men from the East present him with gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. She witnessed an old man hold him and proclaim that he had seen God’s salvation. She pondered all of those amazing things—and many more—in her heart. And now, looking up at him, her son, the dying man on the tree, a sword pierced her own soul too, just as was promised.
The man—his dearly loved friend, John—saw him turn water to wine and feed thousands with a few meager pieces of bread and fish. He witnessed him calm a raging storm with but a word and walk on water like it was dry ground. He watched as the lame leaped, the deaf heard, the blind saw, the sick were healed, and the dead were raised to life again—all by Jesus’ command. He had seen his dearly loved teacher, friend, Savior, and Lord do all of those incredible things. And now, he was watching him suffer and die.
Mary and John had heard so many words from other people in the crowd, filled with hatred and scorn. He saved others but he cannot save himself. If he’s the Christ, let him come down, and we’ll believe in him!
They needed another word to focus on instead—one spoken by Jesus. A word filled with compassion and love.
“Woman, here is your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother!” (John 19:26-27).
Even dying on the cross, our Savior showed compassion and love for his mother, Mary. Even in the midst of agonized suffering, Jesus showed his deep concern for her physical and spiritual needs. His mother would not be without someone to take care of and provide for her.
Is this not a reflection of the pattern of our Savior’s whole life? From his first to final breath, Jesus lived perfectly in our place for all the times we do not. He put our greatest need ahead of his own comfort and security. He chose to die to set us free.
He still shows us his love and compassion to this very day. Every day.
A Savior like no other, all self-concern denied, you served your grieving mother while you were crucified. My sin had made me filthy, but you, the perfect child, were designated guilty, and I am reconciled.
(CW 436:3)
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Scripture references come from the Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. Click here to learn more about this translation.
© 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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