Woman, behold your son
The way of the cross • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Title: The way of the cross part 3
Text: John 19:23-27; Psalm 68:6; 1st Timothy 5:1-2
D.T. Let us view one another as family; not guests
Introduction: (READ John 19:25-27
but 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.
Today we continue our series “The way of the cross” where we examine the 7 words Jesus speaks from the cross, and what they teach us about salvation and faith
Today we arrive at the 3rd word spoken from the cross “Mother, behold your son”
This passage is one of the reasons I struggled with whether I wanted to do this series. I had this passage earmarked for a mothers day sermon. I wanted to focus on the fact that Jesus ensured that his mother would be taken care of properly.
Which is true, but it’s much bigger!
Jesus wasn’t just making sure Mary was take care of, he was making sure that John was taken care of as well
He was ensuring that Mary and John would both have family after Jesus was gone.
Even though Jesus was going to rise from the dead, once he returned, he would only remain for just over a month
Both Mary and John were going to be in need of family and support after he is gone
While on the cross, Christ didn’t have the strength to say much. This magnifies anything he does say greatly. So it’s noteworthy that Jesus used the strength to speak to ensure Mary and John would have family once he was gone. Even while on the cross, Jesus saw the danger of isolation to those he cared about.
Jesus' third word spoken from the cross confirms the dangers the isolation poses for Christians.
We live in a world where Isolation becomes easier and easier. The need for interpersonal relationships seems to dwindle. Examples of good friendships and relationships are dwindling
In 2020 58 percent of Americans believed they did not have friends who knew them well.
A 2021 American perspectives study revealed that Americans are reporting fewer close relationships than ever before.
In American Culture, we value ideals like putting your nose on the grindstone, and pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps.
This creates ambition and work ethic.
However we must also be honest with ourselves and realize these ideals can lead us to isolation if we aren’t careful.
Being united in Christ is how we combat this isolation.
Jesus, from the cross, tells John that their relationship is no longer teacher/student —they’re now brothers (they share a mother).Jesus was setting the precedent that we as a Church united in purpose and salvation in Christ are family. We are designed to be within families.
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
So why was this necessary? Why did Jesus feel the need to make Mary and John Family? Afterall Jesus had brothers, right? Surely one of them would make sure Mary was taken care of after he was gone right?
I wish I could tell you that anytime Jesus enters a nuclear family, that it automatically brings healing. Sometimes when Jesus enters a family, it brings division.
The choice to follow Jesus have set brothers and sisters against each other
The choice to follow Jesus has caused parents to disown their children, and visa versa.
The choice to follow Jesus has led to divorce
Jesus even admits that division is one of the many things his gospel will bring.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
Jesus himself experienced these troubles firsthand. In Matthew 12 we learn Jesus' own brothers doubted his claims, and often used Mary as a means to “talk sense into him” On one such occasion, a person tells Jesus. “Your mother and brothers wish to speak with you. Jesus responds with these words.
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus realizes that sometimes the church will be the only family people can lean upon. Therefore we must make every effort to make sure we follow the precedent of Jesus and view each other as family. Brothers and sisters united in Christ.
What can we do to make sure we view each other as family?
Let us view one another as family; not guests
When it comes to guests, we usually present the best well put together parts of ourselves
Clean spotless house
Well behaved children
People who never disagree or fight.
We must be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to view each other to view us as family rather than guests.
to treat as a family member — I’m giving that person power to hurt me. Emotionally. Spiritually. In all kinds of ways. This is why church splits often feel like a divorce. That’s what they are. To treat someone as a family member gives up a measure of control — and that's why we don’t do it.
Discipleship is a journey that is deeply personal. I don’t think any of us would ever deny this. Oftentimes within the good confession of faith we declare Christ as our personal Lord and savior. While discipleship is personal, its NEVER individual. We’re a family of
disciples, taking this road trip together, following Jesus on the Way of the Cross.
