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Bible Commentary: “Third Word-Family” The Days Of Lent

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home”.   (John 19:26-27 NIV)

Jesus has been nailed to the cross and is hanging there to die before the entire world.  Nearby are a few friends and His mother, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25 NIV).  John is standing nearby but, maybe, he is not standing with the women as to not intrude on her time of grief.  Her firstborn Son is dying before her eyes and her heart is breaking within her. Jesus, from His unique vantage point, can see where everybody is and, as firstborn male, is obligated to care for His widowed mother. The Jewish tradition is that the firstborn son cares for the mother if she is a widow and as we never hear about Joseph anymore it is assumed that he did, indeed, die. Jesus has supported her during His life and now that he was dying what would become of her? He sees her standing by, and knows her cares and grief’s; and he sees John standing not far off, and so he settles a new relation between his beloved mother and his beloved disciple; they are now mother and son.

Jesus is in a tremendous amount of physical pain yet He is able to look beyond His own suffering and realize the need of His mother after He is gone. Yes, she had other children but Jesus, as firstborn, has the responsibility. So He stops His dying to leave her a new son that will look out after her needs. Jesus knows that John will provide for her and from that moment on he does.

Paul tells us, “but if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (1 Timothy 5:4 NIV). Jesus, from the cross, is setting an example for the entire world to follow. God gave the command in Exodus to, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 NIV).  One of the ways we honor our parents is to provide, to the utmost of our power, for the comfort of our aged parents.

Child of God – As He was dying Jesus, from the cross, provided for His mother. God speaks to us and tells us, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” Psalm 27:10 NIV). No longer is Jesus concerned about the family of one person, now He is concerned about the family of all persons. “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV). God cares for the fatherless and will be a father to them. God cares for the widow and will provide for them. And for those that have no friends or siblings God will be a brother to them. Whatever the need is for a family God can meet the longing in your heart and take care of you. After all, Jesus set an example from the cross.

Our prayer:
Father, thank you for being to me what others could not fulfill perfectly in my life. You are the  only one who can satisfy my inner needs better than anybody, because only you are perfect.  Thank you for showing me what a real father is. Help me to be the extended family for those who are lonely and to give them the kind of love that you give me.
Amen.

If you want to have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior pray: “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that out of love for me you willingly sacrificed your life so that I may live. I repent of all my sins and open my heart to you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time or if you have any questions please contact us. We would love to hear from you.