Jesus, now stripped and naked,
hanging on a Cross,
before His friends
and even His own mother.
What a shameful and humiliating time for the "Beginning and the Finisher of our Faith", laid out before all and left to die.
Those who were nearby in this portion of Scripture include: the disciple whom Jesus loved, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus mother's sister...Salome, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Joseph, the father of Jesus was not there. It was thought he had passed, perhaps years ago before Christ Jesus had begun His public ministry approximately 3 1/2 years before.
Jesus Himself was the oldest son of the family and had the responsibility according to Jewish custom to take care of his mother, who in all likelihood was a widow.
John is the only Gospel to record of Mary, the mother of Jesus, present at the crucifixion.
Ok, first allow me to define these women with Jesus own mother, Mary:
1. Mary, the wife of Clopas: she was the mother of James (the younger)...and Joseph, and was most likely the "other" Mary with Mary Magdalene at the Tomb.
2. Jesus mother's sister, Salome, whose sons were John and James.
3. Mary Magdalene, one of the most popular of Jesus disciples, and consistently mentioned throughout the Gospels. She had come to Christ Jesus and had been cleansed of 7 demons through His Power. Much has been written of this Mary, both the good and the bad...yet the Sacred Scriptures give a portrayal as one who loved Him.
One of her stories relates to her being cleansed of her 7 demons by Christ Jesus, and is said to be symbolic of the "7 Deadly Sins" which include: pride, lust, envy, anger, covetousness, gluttony, and sloth. Is this true?...Probably not...but this I have learned...Christ Jesus death on the Cross has freed me of the "7 Deadlys"...in fact, because of His love for me...I have been forgiven and cleansed of all my sin....and for that I am grateful each day of my life.
Here, as our Savior hung there alone, stripped naked, and humiliated before all, stays true to the very end by addressing the needs of His own mother, making sure she was to be taken care of.
As with all relationships we have with our own families, the Sacred Scriptures are clear as to what we are to do: "Honor your father and your mother." Exodus 20:12. There are no exclusions or "special conditions" written to this verse, it is simply in command form and is to be followed. Now, I do recognize there are different and unique ways we can do the "honor your father and mother" thing...for example...what if your own father had sexually abused you...how are you suppose to honor someone like that? Sometimes it is best I think to "keep a distance" and not "stir up" something that was evil in the first place. Here is what I think a key would be...don't let even the most horrible things in life destroy you...or have its dominance and minimize what God has for you in life. I know...easier said than done...but that being said...it is possible it can be done. Forgiveness, giving time to heal, good counseling, I'm not saying life is always easy when it comes to the "Honor your father and mother" verse....just remember, it was written for those who attempt to embrace this verse into their very lives, which means everyone. The cost of this can be high, whether it be facing abuse, unforgiveness, abandonment, and so much more,...and I know, many will not do it...yet, here is Christ, hanging naked on a Cross who says, "Yea...you can."
Look at Jesus family while here on earth, although we are secluded to much on what we know of His own family...there are a few things to take note of:
a) the Wedding at Cana....Mary, his mother kind of put Jesus in a "situation". What did He do?...He honored His mother...what did He say, " My time has not yet come."
b) In Mark 3, the Scriptures seem to imply that Jesus own brothers thought He was "whacked out" and went to take charge of Him...was Mary with them?...don't know.
c) In John 7:5, it reads "even His own brothers did not believe in Him"
So, I am sure Jesus had a family probably like the ones we have today....He most likely heard about some uncle getting a divorce or someone ticked because of something someone had said...the Sacred Scriptures do make it clear "He was acquainted with ALL our sorrows", from Isaiah 53.
Anyway........Gleanings from John 19:24-27
" While they were crucifying Jesus, the Roman soldiers were wanting His garments...and one of the soldiers said," Let's not tear this up, it is seamless, one single stitch of weaving...top of the line stuff here! Instead, let's roll the dice and see who wins it all." (Note: do you think Jesus heard all that while He hung there..bleeding....in pain....and totally stripped?)
Of course, the Sacred Scriptures had already pointed this out...that the Roman soldiers would do this: "They divided My garments among them, and threw dice for My clothing." (Psalm 22:18). And, that is exactly what the Roman soldiers did.
Now, near the Cross where Jesus hung, stood His own mother, His mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw His mother standing beside the disciple whom He loved, He spoke directly to His mother and said: " My dear lady, you see, I am still your son!" Then, He turned His attention to the disciple next to her and said: "You see, here is my mother, now, let her become your mother."
And from that moment, the disciple understood...and took Mary into his own family, accepting her as a mother."
before His friends
and even His own mother.
What a shameful and humiliating time for the "Beginning and the Finisher of our Faith", laid out before all and left to die.
Those who were nearby in this portion of Scripture include: the disciple whom Jesus loved, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus mother's sister...Salome, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Joseph, the father of Jesus was not there. It was thought he had passed, perhaps years ago before Christ Jesus had begun His public ministry approximately 3 1/2 years before.
Jesus Himself was the oldest son of the family and had the responsibility according to Jewish custom to take care of his mother, who in all likelihood was a widow.
John is the only Gospel to record of Mary, the mother of Jesus, present at the crucifixion.
Ok, first allow me to define these women with Jesus own mother, Mary:
1. Mary, the wife of Clopas: she was the mother of James (the younger)...and Joseph, and was most likely the "other" Mary with Mary Magdalene at the Tomb.
2. Jesus mother's sister, Salome, whose sons were John and James.
3. Mary Magdalene, one of the most popular of Jesus disciples, and consistently mentioned throughout the Gospels. She had come to Christ Jesus and had been cleansed of 7 demons through His Power. Much has been written of this Mary, both the good and the bad...yet the Sacred Scriptures give a portrayal as one who loved Him.
One of her stories relates to her being cleansed of her 7 demons by Christ Jesus, and is said to be symbolic of the "7 Deadly Sins" which include: pride, lust, envy, anger, covetousness, gluttony, and sloth. Is this true?...Probably not...but this I have learned...Christ Jesus death on the Cross has freed me of the "7 Deadlys"...in fact, because of His love for me...I have been forgiven and cleansed of all my sin....and for that I am grateful each day of my life.
Here, as our Savior hung there alone, stripped naked, and humiliated before all, stays true to the very end by addressing the needs of His own mother, making sure she was to be taken care of.
As with all relationships we have with our own families, the Sacred Scriptures are clear as to what we are to do: "Honor your father and your mother." Exodus 20:12. There are no exclusions or "special conditions" written to this verse, it is simply in command form and is to be followed. Now, I do recognize there are different and unique ways we can do the "honor your father and mother" thing...for example...what if your own father had sexually abused you...how are you suppose to honor someone like that? Sometimes it is best I think to "keep a distance" and not "stir up" something that was evil in the first place. Here is what I think a key would be...don't let even the most horrible things in life destroy you...or have its dominance and minimize what God has for you in life. I know...easier said than done...but that being said...it is possible it can be done. Forgiveness, giving time to heal, good counseling, I'm not saying life is always easy when it comes to the "Honor your father and mother" verse....just remember, it was written for those who attempt to embrace this verse into their very lives, which means everyone. The cost of this can be high, whether it be facing abuse, unforgiveness, abandonment, and so much more,...and I know, many will not do it...yet, here is Christ, hanging naked on a Cross who says, "Yea...you can."
Look at Jesus family while here on earth, although we are secluded to much on what we know of His own family...there are a few things to take note of:
a) the Wedding at Cana....Mary, his mother kind of put Jesus in a "situation". What did He do?...He honored His mother...what did He say, " My time has not yet come."
b) In Mark 3, the Scriptures seem to imply that Jesus own brothers thought He was "whacked out" and went to take charge of Him...was Mary with them?...don't know.
c) In John 7:5, it reads "even His own brothers did not believe in Him"
So, I am sure Jesus had a family probably like the ones we have today....He most likely heard about some uncle getting a divorce or someone ticked because of something someone had said...the Sacred Scriptures do make it clear "He was acquainted with ALL our sorrows", from Isaiah 53.
Anyway........Gleanings from John 19:24-27
" While they were crucifying Jesus, the Roman soldiers were wanting His garments...and one of the soldiers said," Let's not tear this up, it is seamless, one single stitch of weaving...top of the line stuff here! Instead, let's roll the dice and see who wins it all." (Note: do you think Jesus heard all that while He hung there..bleeding....in pain....and totally stripped?)
Of course, the Sacred Scriptures had already pointed this out...that the Roman soldiers would do this: "They divided My garments among them, and threw dice for My clothing." (Psalm 22:18). And, that is exactly what the Roman soldiers did.
Now, near the Cross where Jesus hung, stood His own mother, His mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw His mother standing beside the disciple whom He loved, He spoke directly to His mother and said: " My dear lady, you see, I am still your son!" Then, He turned His attention to the disciple next to her and said: "You see, here is my mother, now, let her become your mother."
And from that moment, the disciple understood...and took Mary into his own family, accepting her as a mother."
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