Most people are aware that we have just completed the forty-day Lenten season leading up to the universal traditional religious holiday celebration of Easter, the day commemorating the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ
But first, there was Friday. The day that Jesus was crucified. Good Friday is a solemn day of mourning and reflection for Christians, who often attend special church services and prayer vigils.
Drawing by Sandra Mackey
The New Testament records the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Seven utterances of Jesus on the cross are recorded in those books. At one point while he was hanging on the cross, Jesus gave His mother to His disciple, John.
Have you ever wondered why He did that? I have. I could give you my opinion, but one of the contributing writers of the Salem Web Network and Lifeway. The following excerpts from his recent article are good to consider:
Why Does Jesus Give His Mother to John While on the Cross?
Joel Ryan, Contributing Writer
In Jesus’ final moments on the cross, the apostle John tells us of a tender moment shared between Jesus and His mother, who’d watched as her son suffered and died for the sins of the world.
How much Mary understood about this moment, what it meant, and what was to come with the resurrection is uncertain. Surely, if anyone had reason to be divinely hopeful, it was the mother of Jesus.
That being said, though many believers are fully aware of the eternal reality (and glory) that awaits those who have departed from this earth and joined with the Lord in heaven, the sadness of passing and horrors of Christ’s own suffering and death are reason enough for anyone to mourn.
One can only imagine the affliction and grief that would have filled Mary’s heart as she helplessly watched her oldest son be beaten, flogged, ridiculed, and crucified before her teary eyes. As the renowned preacher and author Matthew Henry wrote, “His torments were her tortures; she was upon the rack, while He was upon the cross; and her heart bled with His wounds.”
Who Was Present at Jesus’ Crucifixion (and Who Was Not)?
There is plenty to admire about the composure, silent grace, and courage of Mary and the other women who had followed the procession and “watched from a distance” as the events of Jesus’ horrific execution unfolded (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49).
Naturally, as the only member of the Twelve to directly witness the events of the crucifixion, by his own admission, there are details included in John’s gospel that are not mentioned in the others.
Why Does Jesus Give His Mother to John?
The most personal of these, however, came when Jesus looked down from the cross and saw His mother standing next to John.
John writes, “so 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 into his own household” (John 19:26-27).
Thus, we see that, even in His suffering, Jesus looked upon His mother with compassion and sought to care for her well-being and provision.
John, however, was present, looking affectionately to his lord and maybe even holding Mary’s hand and comforting her in what was understandably her moment of greatest sadness.
Furthermore, earlier in His ministry, someone had told Jesus that His mother and brothers had arrived to speak to Him. To this Jesus asked, “who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He then 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” (Matthew 12:46-50).
There’s no question Jesus saw John as this type of brother.
Why Does Jesus Choose John?
Entrusting a friend and spiritual brother with the care of His own mother was an act of immense trust, favor, and love on the part of Jesus. Of course, John was not the only disciple entrusted with responsibility.
Later, Jesus would commission His disciples to share the gospel, make future disciples, and teach others to obey all Christ had commanded (Matthew 28:16-20). After His resurrection, Jesus would tell Peter to, “feed My sheep” (John 21:17).
As mentioned before, John was there. Where the rest of the disciples had fled and Jesus’ own brothers had remained at home, John was faithful to the end.
Naturally, criticism of the Twelve is warranted in this moment; condemnation, however, is not.
It’s true that fear had gotten the better of the disciples, who abandoned their lord in His greatest hour. However, even though they had forsaken Jesus or denied knowing Him outright, Jesus nonetheless forgave and redeemed His chosen disciples after His resurrection.
The fidelity of John, however, to remain, is worth noting. Furthermore, as John remained to tend to His master, there’s no reason to assume he also wouldn’t have been there to comfort Mary and the other women as they wept.
Even in these moments, the one formerly nicknamed the “Son of Thunder” revealed the extent of how deeply Christ had begun to transform and tenderize his heart.
Jesus, knowing all things, knew that John would be the best candidate to care for His mother and knew that John would be faithful in this role and receive it with gladness.
Love was at the center of Jesus and John’s relationship, and as a sign of the love and trust they shared, Jesus asked John to care for His own mother, whom He also loved.
In doing so, John would become Mary’s son, but in more ways than one, John would also prove to be a true a brother of Christ. A friend, a follower, and a fisher of men to the very end, John served his lord by serving those entrusted to his care.
Joel Ryan is an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. When he’s not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/GordonImages Salem Web Network and Lifeway - Publishers of my own book, “Heaven Coming Down.” Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Blessings,
Sandra