Sermon Review 3-8-09

Morning: Here is a rough outline of the sermon, "Woman Your Son," from John 19:26-27.

"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."

When compared to the other statements Jesus made from the cross, some might think this one a little out of place. Consider some interesting facts:

The Scripture is clear that we don’t know everything Jesus said and did. John informs us, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). Yet, the Holy Spirit inspires John to include this particular story.

It is also clear that Jesus knew that he was going to be crucified. After Peter confessed him as the Christ, “Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matt. 16:21). He tells them the same thing at least two more times (Matt. 17:22-23, 20:17-19). Yet, prior to the cross Jesus doesn’t make preparations for his mother.

Many scholars conclude that the lack of mention of Joseph’s presence after Luke 2:41-52 suggests that Joseph died before Jesus began his ministry around the age of thirty. As the oldest son (birthed by Mary; adopted by Joseph) Jesus would have been expected to care for Mary. His ministry was of greater urgency and she was left in the care of his brothers (see Matt. 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21). Matthew 13:55-56 informs us that Jesus’ brothers were “James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas” and that he had sisters. John informs us that Jesus brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). Mark suggests his family thought he had lost his mind (Mark 3:21). However, at least James and Judas (authors of the letters James and Jude, respectively) come to believe after the resurrection. James even has a prominent role in the early Church (see Acts 15). It is also clear that Jesus did not have the means to support himself or his mother (see Luke 8:1-3, 9:58). Yet, in spite of his brothers’ previous care of their mother and coming conversion, Jesus feels compelled to adopt out his mother.

As I have said before, any time you attempt to answer the question “why,” you are forced to speculate. However, I would like to draw from Scripture a couple of probable reasons Jesus gave his mother over to John’s care, and then draw a few implications of what it means for us.

I think the answer to why Jesus gives Mary to John and John to Mary rests in two passages in Luke. The first one is Luke 2:34-35, “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’” Looking back at Luke 2:35, from John 19:26-27, we understand what “a sword will pierce your own soul too” really meant. The other passage is Luke 1:28, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”

Keeping these two passages in mind, let us go back to John 19:26-27. Jesus is suffering greatly; his life is almost spent. Yet, Jesus was still Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus, who looked upon the crowds with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd, now sees his mother. What he sees, that we cannot, is that a sword has pierced her soul as she is watching her first born be ravaged and brutalized for the sin of the world. The nails that have pierced his flesh have pierced her heart. Always the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows his little lamb, Mary, needs a caretaker. It seems only fitting that he appoints “the disciple whom he loves” to care for the one who is “highly favored.”

Jesus appoints someone to care for Mary, because he loved her with an eternal love. She was highly favored before Jesus took on flesh and was born from her womb.

Jesus appoints John to care for Mary, because he loved him dearly. There may have been a mutual caretaking intended. In the two attempts by Jesus’ family to bring him home, we don’t see Mary pushing his brothers to the forefront. Mary never says to Jesus, “Let James sit at your right hand and Jude at your left when you come into the kingdom.” She seems content to urge others to listen to Jesus and obey (see John 2:3-5). John’s birthmother on the other hand, tried to get Jesus to promote her sons to the head of the class. Maybe, Jesus knew that the tender faithful heart that trained him in the wisdom of the Lord, could sooth this son of thunder.

I do not wish to speculate much beyond this. Speculation is not my job. We may never fully know the reasons why Jesus placed Mary into John’s care, or why the Holy Spirit had this story included. What we don’t have to speculate on is the reality that this story means something. The Lord didn’t include in his Word willy-nilly. There is a purpose.

1. We see Christ’s compassion fully displayed.

The context for this event is not a social gathering. It is not a religious meeting. Christ is hanging on the cross. He is in pain that we cannot even imagine. Yet, when he sees Mary and John standing their, he thinks of them. In the midst of the greatest suffering ever known, Jesus, the sufferer thought of someone else. His desire was for their well being. What does it mean that Christ had compassion on them? It means that his heart was more wounded by their plight, than his body was by the cross. It means that he must take action to alleviate their pain. And action he takes. Seeing them standing there he states, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and “Here is your mother.”

Jesus has already informed his disciples of the fact that in three days time their sorrow would be turned to joy. He knows that once he rises from the dead his brothers will believe. Yet, he still fills compelled to provide care for Mary. The expression “Dear woman” is not an insult. It is term of respect, but it also reminds us that Jesus was more than a son to Mary, he was also he Savior.

2. We see how trust in Christ brings us into new relationships with each other.

Being the “sons” of God through faith in Jesus Christ, trumps all other relationships. Being in God’s family is of greater importance and value than any earthly relationship. Jesus once said, “Who is my mother, my brothers and my sisters? Those who do the will of God are my mother, my brothers and my sisters.” He also said that if we love anyone more than we love him, we are not worthy of him.

You might be wondering where we see this in this verse. Many think that the reference to Jesus’ “mother’s sister” is a reference to John’s own mother. At any rate, Matthew tells us that John’s mother was present (Matt. 27:56). John may have lived as a man with two mothers, we aren’t told, but we are told he took Mary into his home. And we have already mentioned the fact that Jesus had brothers who by all earthly legal rights should have taken care of their mother. Even if we conclude that Jesus did it because they were not yet believers, he doesn’t give any indication that this is a temporary situation. He doesn’t say, “John, take care of my mother for a few days, until my brothers come around.” He sees a woman who is walking in faith and is thus “his mother” and a man walking in faith who is thus “his brother” and he gives them to each other for mutual care. Through Christ, they have a relationship that didn’t exist before. Just as know believers are united in Christ and are related to each other. We are brothers and sisters. Given over to one another as Christ cries out, “Woman here is your brother!” and “Man here is your sister!”

3. We see that Christ’s provision is timely.

Had Jesus tried to make these arrangements at some other point, both parties might have rejected his appointment. If Jesus would have said to John, as they reclined at the table, “Hey, I want you to take Mary to be your mother.” John might have responded, “But, Lord, I already have a mother.” However, in this scene we see Mary in desperate need and John in willing submission, ready to do his Master’s bidding with lightning quick speed. There is no hesitation. Verse 27 literally reads, “from that hour.” John made haste to do his Master’s will. We don’t see Mary protesting; we see her entering John’s house.

Through this we are reminded of an important truth. We, too, receive the provision of God in a timely fashion. Often we want hardship to quickly pass, but that Lord desires that we grow in patience and humility. Neither of these happens quickly. God gives us what we need, exactly when we need it and not a moment sooner, nor a moment late.

Evening: Services were canceled.