BEHOLD THY SON

John 19:26-27 (26) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (27) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. Today's text sets forth one of the most poignant scenes in all of history. Good mothers long to see their sons lifted up, but not like this! Mary's unique son was born to controversy, "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against" (LUK 2:34). This "lifting up" fulfilled the sign of His own death of which He once spoke (JOH 12:32-33). It was "spoken against" then and it has been "spoken against" ever since. The offence of His cross endures, "spoken against" as foolishness by the perishing (1CO 1:18) but received as the power of God by "them which are called, both Jews and Greeks" (1CO 1:24). At the moment described in our text today, to Mary it was speaking of a prophecy from many years earlier, "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also" (LUK 2:35). Perhaps it is not mere coincidence that the very figure of a cross resembles a sword. But behold in our text Jesus' last faithful order before His death. In this darkest of hours, He would not neglect to honor His mother by making provision for her in her dotage and in His absence. The Jews had a tradition of Corban (MAR 7:9-13) by which they thought they could use religion to exempt themselves from responsibility to their aging parents. But not even the most noble act of religion ever performed prevented Jesus from such duty. He would provide for His own (1TIM 5:8). He was indeed "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (PHIL 2:8). Jesus sometimes taught His disciples of God's great interest in them and care for them by reasoning from the lesser to the greater, as in LUK 11:11-13; LUK 12:6-7; LUK 18:1-8. Consider therefore the good care of God for yourselves by virtue of such reasoning from today's text. In this moment Jesus was at His weakest (He was crucified through weakness, 2CO 13:4), yet even in this state of humiliated depreciation He was able to provide for His mother's needs. Can He not even more provide for our needs now that He is in power and glory? It may be observed that they who hear His words and do them have an even greater claim on Him than Mary (MAT 12:46-50). As obedient disciples, believers are not only in a better position to receive blessing from Him, He is in a better position to give it! Paul says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (PHIL 4:19). He is so full of glorious riches that none who call on Him need fear of being deprived; He is "rich unto all that call upon him" (ROM 10:12). Of spiritual needs. Do you need wisdom? Then ask Him in faith, nothing wavering (JAM 1:5-8), for in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (COL 2:3). Do you need grace? Well, "of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (JOH 1:16), so go boldly by faith to His throne and ask for it (ROM 5:2 c/w HEB 4:16). Do you need mercy in a time of error or conviction? The same throne is available (HEB 4:16). Of fleshly needs. Do you need daily bread? The Bread of heaven still knows how to multiply loaves, and can minister "bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown..." (2CO 9:10), so pray accordingly (MAT 6:11). How about clothes? Worry not, "shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith" (MAT 6:30)? Do you need good friends and loving family (particularly if friends and family have disowned you for following Christ)? He "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" (EPH 3:15) promised "...Verily I say unto you, There is no man that left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting" (LUK 18:29-30). Be they material needs or emotional needs, there is no genuine need that a believer has for which there is not a genuine provision promised. Smile. God loves you. And He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (EPH 3:20). How well does Jesus continue to provide for His own!