The Love of “Grace”
Notes
Transcript
Handout
"Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!" (John 19:26-27)
21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
The Word Of Compassion—
In the midst of His dying hour, with His enemies reveling in His death, and with a little band of faithful followers at His feet, Jesus took the time to make provision for His mother. There are many truths here, but the one that I want to point out this morning that has to do with the Conversation of “Grace” is that even in death, He did not forget others, He still loves! He was dying to save men and He remembered His mother that day. He made sure that Mary would be taken care of for the rest of her life.
His actions are symbolic of the fact that through His death, those who receive Him enter into a new relationship with God. One in which they too are taken care of forever, John 10:28. He may not have mentioned our names, but we were in His heart and on His mind that day!
The Forgiveness of “Grace”
The Salvation of “Grace”
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.
This third word from the cross conjures up one of the tenderest scenes to be witnessed on that all-eventful day. Four women and one man stood stunned, brokenhearted, helpless, listening, watching.
Would the Master speak again? When He did His words of LOVE were expressing:
Love Sanctifies Their Relationships
Love Sanctifies Their Relationships
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
That word “saw” carries the thought that He “took in everything.”
The very sight of Mary would bring back to Him the words He had often heard quoted.
He acknowledges His Mother - Son Relationship.
The saintly Simeon had first uttered them at Jesus’ dedication as an eight-day old infant.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Looking at Mary, he had said,
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
True mother love is a costly love, and Mary’s was of this quality. No wonder He trusted her. In the first place, here was:
Mary’s Sacrificing Love
Mary’s Sacrificing Love
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
“… she brought forth her firstborn Son, … and laid Him in a manger … (Luke 2:7). Was ever a mother put in such a plight as Mary? From the moment of conception to the delivery of the child, here was a sacrificing love. Think of the misunderstanding, misconstructions, and whisperings in her little village. What human being could understand this mystery? Yet she carried it bravely.
Think again of that tender scene in the stable with lowing cattle and bleating sheep, where she brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger. Did ever a mother sacrifice like that?
Mary’s Sheltering Love
Mary’s Sheltering Love
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Away there in Egypt, cut off from home and loved ones, Mary sheltered that little life from those who were seeking to destroy Him. Then they came back to Nazareth, and we see something of:
Mary’s Succoring Love
Mary’s Succoring Love
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Mary was bringing up the little lad with all the tender care and thoughtfulness of a mother who truly loved. It could not have been long after that that Joseph died. This is not stated in Scripture, but the very silence concerning him, supported by history, seems to indicate that he died when Jesus was but a boy.
Hers was also:
Mary’s Submitting Love.
Mary’s Submitting Love.
Remember the story of John 2. In a moment of crisis at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Mary had come to Jesus saying,
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
And He replied,
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
At first glance these words may suggest a measure of rebuke. Very likely, Mary may have been expecting Jesus to use this predicament as a means of calling attention to Himself in a way that would have furthered His messianic mission, but His hour had not yet come. Without disputing the matter, Mary showed her submissiveness to the authority of her Son, now the anointed Servant. She stood back and waited, knowing that He could and would do something.
Later, at Calvary’s cross, hers was:
Mary’s Suffering Love
Mary’s Suffering Love
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Those who love most deeply suffer most intensely.
Can you imagine what this brave, heartbroken, yet controlled, little woman suffered while she stood at the base of that cross?
“There He hung before her eyes,” says Stalker, “but she was helpless. His wounds bled, but she dare not staunch them; His mouth was parched, but she could not moisten it; … The thorns round His brow were a circle of flame around her heart.”
It was in the knowledge of all this that “… Jesus saw His mother …” (19:26).
Love Surrenders to the Redeemer
Love Surrenders to the Redeemer
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
The highest possible courtesy is embodied in this term “Woman,” or “Lady.”
The Lord Jesus fulfilled to the letter that ancient command,
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Three times in the Gospels He addresses His mother, and in each case there is a courtesy which breathes obedience, honor and respect.
In the first instance, there is:
Reminder He was the Approved Son
Reminder He was the Approved Son
“… Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
At the age of twelve, when He became “a son of the law,” Joseph and Mary had taken Jesus up to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When it was over and they were on their way home, Jesus, unknown to them, lingered behind. After a three- day search they found Him in the temple, sitting among the doctors of the law, asking questions and answering with such understanding that they marveled. “… Why is it that you sought Me?” He asked His mother, “Surely you would know that I would be about My Father’s business”
Then He went back with them to Nazareth and “… was subject to them … And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:49–52).
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
In the next instance we see in Him:
Reminder He was an Anointed Servant
Reminder He was an Anointed Servant
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Jesus was now 30 years of age which, according to the Old Testament, was the age of responsibility. As He stood on the banks of Jordan, the heavens opened, the Spirit of God descended as a dove and rested upon Him, and a voice declared,
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
No doubt Mary was there, and she would understand what this meant. He was no longer the little “Jesus boy,” but God’s anointed Servant.
So it was that later, at the wedding at Cana of Galilee, when she knew that there was a shortage of wine, she came to Him with confidence and put the situation before Him. Then Jesus said, “Lady, leave it to Me,” and she went away and told the servants to be ready to do whatever He told them.
Reminder He was an Appointed Savior
Reminder He was an Appointed Savior
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.
Who can tell the suffering through which Mary passed, as she stood by the cross and looked at that bespittled face, with blood trickling down from His thorn-crowned brow, and His wounded hands and feet. She knew that He was indeed the Savior of the world. It was in the midst of such agony that He looked down and said, “Lady, there is your son!” and to His disciple, “John, behold your mother!” Oh, the courtesy and thoughtfulness!
Surely, this is a word to young people and, indeed, to all here.
Have you courtesy for your parents? You can never be disobedient again, dishonoring or discourteous when you have stood by that cross.
Love Satisfies His Responsibility.
Love Satisfies His Responsibility.
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.
Here is an example for all whose parents are still living. In these callous and materialistic days there is a growing disregard on the part of young people for their parents.
Remember the words of St. Paul:
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Notice, first of all:
His Selflessness
His Selflessness
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Suffering can be selfish: for people can draw attention to themselves through it, to evoke pity and help. But not so with Jesus. All His words thus far were for others. There He was, walking along the Via Dolorosa, bleeding from head and back, bowed down with the weight of that cross. As the women wailed and lamented, He turned to them and said,
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
His thought was for them.
Then later, His prayer for those who crucified Him on a Roman gibbett was,
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
“… Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do …” (Luke 23:34).
And to the repentant thief who hung at his side, His words were,
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
“… today, you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Now once again He opens His mouth in concern for His mother. Not only was there the selflessness, but:
His Scrutiny
His Scrutiny
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
“… Woman, behold your son!” (19:26).
Who was He referring to? Not the brothers of His family, for they did not believe on Him until after Pentecost.
There was only one person with whom He would leave His mother, and that was John. He had proved himself because of his love. He had found his way right to the bosom of the Master and, as no other, had entered into the significance of His teaching. Then there was his loyalty. John was the first disciple to turn back and stand at the cross. Notice his liberality. His was a favored home-one in which Mary would be well cared for. Jesus wanted the best for her.
His Sacrifice
His Sacrifice
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
“Woman, behold …” (19:26).
Observe that Jesus did not call Mary “Mother” even on this last occasion.
He was breaking the painful truth that henceforth there would not be the son/mother relationship.
The first time He had called her “Woman,” or “Lady,” there was the transition from an approved Son to an anointed Servant. Now there was the transition from an anointed Servant to an appointed Savior.
Never again could she say “Son.” Never again could He say “Mother.”
From that moment onward He was moving into another realm. No one could rival His mediatorial ministry, no one woman could have prominence in His life-even His mother. Mary Magdalene, who would caress His feet, must not touch Him until He had gone to heaven and represented His love dispassionately for the entire world. So Mary looked at Jesus for the last time in a natural union After Pentecost there would be a mystical union, and she would be just a humble disciple.
Conclusion
The cross is where human relationships are sanctified and also surrendered, for there does come a time perhaps when one is-called to the mission field when this has to take place.
In an infinite sense, it happened at Calvary; in a relative sense, as one is called to cut relationships for the Master. But it is at the cross that relationships are finally satisfied. In the last analysis, Mary would not have had it any other way. Only when our relationships converge at the cross are they sanctified, surrendered, and truly satisfied.
Hopefully today, you can see the Love of “Grace” as an encouragement to your faith by seeing
Jesus’ Willingness to Care for You
If Jesus was so eager to care for his mother in her hour of need, how much more is he eager to care for his disciples who hear the Word of God today and do it.
Jesus’ Willingness to Care for You
If Jesus was so eager to care for his mother in her hour of need, how much more is he eager to care for his disciples who hear the Word of God today and do it.
Jesus’ Ability to Take Care of You
If Jesus could provide for the needs of his own in a moment of his deepest weakness and humiliation, how much more can he provide for your need in his present power and exaltation!
Jesus’ Ability to Take Care of You
If Jesus could provide for the needs of his own in a moment of his deepest weakness and humiliation, how much more can he provide for your need in his present power and exaltation!
Lastly,
The Church as a New Spiritual Family
Notice that contrary to custom and expectation, Jesus did not admonish his own brothers to care for their mother. Whatever the reason for not putting Mary in the care of her other sons, the new relationship between Mary and John illustrates for us the provision made for us in the body of Christ.
The Church as a New Spiritual Family
Notice that contrary to custom and expectation, Jesus did not admonish his own brothers to care for their mother. Whatever the reason for not putting Mary in the care of her other sons, the new relationship between Mary and John illustrates for us the provision made for us in the body of Christ.
