Because words uttered before death express what’s nearest and dearest to the soul leaving, we can learn Jesus’s priorities by studying what He said while on the cross. His first words were “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing.” The second were, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

If His first two sentences stress forgiveness and salvation, His third—in John 19:2527— make a strong point about relationships. “Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ’Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”

Jesus was so moved by compassion, love, and responsibility that His third thought spoken on the cross was His desire to see His mother and special disciple continue a loving, family relationship without Him. The Bible has no mention of Joseph after Jesus was twelve years old, so the carpenter who raised Jesus as his son had evidently been dead for some time.

Sadly, none of Jesus’s siblings were present at His crucifixion, so Jesus can’t be sure they’ll take care of their mother Mary. Even in His pain and agony, He senses a responsibility to designate John to provide for His mother.

John was the youngest of the original twelve disciples who left their home to follow Jesus, to live with Him, watch Him preach, teach, and perform miracles of God—to be with him 24/7, 365 days a year. Yet John was the only one of the twelve there at Jesus’s last hours.

When Jesus says, “Dear woman, here is your son…” or “Woman, behold your son,” He wants Mary to look at John in a new way—not as one of His closest human relationships, but now as her own son. By doing so, Jesus teaches us to show the authenticity of our faith—first by showing love and compassion by providing relationship. Secondly, with these words, Jesus initiates a process to formally establish the relationship of provider.

After communicating to Mary, that John is now her son, Jesus turns his gaze upon John and says, “Here is your mother.” Jesus, who is dying in our place, asks a faithful follower to take His place and care for His mother. Jesus is not calling them to love as if they were a family. No, He is establishing that they are family. John responds by accepting the relationship and taking Mary into his home.

The interaction between Jesus, Mary, and John demonstrates a deep spiritual truth that should motivate all of us to help care for parents and others who are alone or in need. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) Relationships are important to God, and they should be important to us. Jesus shows us that it’s not about what we can get from others, but what we can give to others. How will you provide for those around you?

Provide for them spiritually by bringing them to church at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula. We have small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night classes for all ages. We at LECC relish opportunities to show our faith by serving others. Please join us and do the same.

God Bless You!

Jeremy Little, Minister.