Introduction
‘When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘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
In John 19:25-27 we see Jesus commits His mother to John’s care. Matthew 27:55 says, ‘many women there, looking on from afar’. John names four, ‘His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene’, the first time she is named in the Gospel. They were ‘standing by the cross’, they at first stood afar off, with others, then later drew near to the cross.
It’s interesting to see the love these women had for Jesus, His own disciples had all, except John, deserted Him but the women, those courageous and loving women were there. Jesus cares to the last moment and He sees both His mother and the disciple He loved together and commends her to his care. He ignores His own suffering, Jesus is concerned for her and commits her to John’s care.
‘He took her to his own home’
This means either he took her home immediately and then returned. John 19:35. This seems probable as Matthew and Mark don’t mention Mary was present when Jesus died or, alternatively, he took her home after the crucifixion.
Why did Jesus commit his mother to John, not to His brothers? They didn’t believe in Him. ‘For even his own brothers did not believe in him.’ John 7:5, but Mary did, ‘Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’ Mark 3:31-35.
His brothers became believers after the resurrection, Acts 1:14. If His, ‘Jesus’ mother’s sister’ is the mother of James and John, then John was her nephew. He doesn’t call His mother ‘mother’ as she must now stop looking at Jesus as her son and consider Him as her Lord.
When we think about life today, there are many reasons to buy a life insurance policy. The most common reason is to provide for the family if the husband or wife dies. This signifies that their human relationship has ended. He is to be her son no more, He is now her Lord and her God. She will be honoured in heaven for her godly life and remembered as the mother of Jesus.
