From: May 31, 2023
‘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.’ (John 19:26-27 NLT).
Reading the four gospels together, there are seven last words of Jesus recorded. Anyone’s last words are considered important, so shouldn’t our Lord Jesus’ words be even more so? This is the third of Jesus’ last words from the cross. It is a word of care for his mother and it is particularly poignant. For as the Son of God suffered on the cross, he took time to address the needs of his mother.
“Dear woman, here is your son.” He said, looking down upon his mother. Here, we see Christ’s divine concern expressed. Here hangs the Creator, on a cross made from the tree He created, dying for those who have rebelled against Him, yet also taking care of the “woman” whom He had chosen to be His mother. God had chosen Mary to be Christ’s mother, that He might become flesh and die for us. He wanted Mary to see beyond her role as mother and he as her son. He wanted her to believe in Him as Savior!
“Here is your mother!” He told his disciple, John. He gave charge of His mother to him. And John was faithful to His call. Yet, this relational calling implies more. John was called to care for Mary as his mother because they both believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord. She was indeed as a mother to John. This is the relational calling of those who belong to Christ.
Have you ever wondered whether God cares? Especially asking, “Does God care for me?” In this third word from the cross, we can see how much God cares for us. He cares for the big stuff and He cares for the little stuff too. There’s no detail too small for His loving care.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your care for us. For You care about the details, both great and small. You cared enough for Mary to not only die for her sins, but to make arrangements for her care. What intimate love You have for us. What relational love You have offered to us through Jesus! Now we ask You to fill us with Your love and care that we might share it with others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 31, 2016
The final words of Jesus on the cross were not words of defeat, but of ultimate victory. He shouted, “It is finished!” His last words expressed exultation at accomplishing the task He had come to complete. In the Greek, it is one word: Τετέλεσται (Tetelestai), which is in the perfect tense. The basic thought of the perfect tense is that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of the action are continuing on, in full effect. In other words, the progress of the action has reached its culmination and the finished results are now in existence. It might also be translated: “fulfilled, accomplished, paid-in-full.” Essentially, Jesus, with this one word, “tetelestai,” announced that He had accomplished His God-given mission, fulfilling every prophetic detail, and paid-in-full the price for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. His salvation work is complete and its finished results are even now in existence for those who would believe on Him.
From: May 31, 2015
The final words of Jesus on the cross were not words of defeat, but of ultimate victory. He shouted, “It is finished!” His last words expressing exultation at accomplishing the task He had come to complete. In the Greek, it is one word: Τετέλεσται (Tetelestai), which is in the perfect tense. The basic thought of the perfect tense is that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of the action are continuing on, in full effect. In other words, the progress of the action has reached its culmination and the finished results are now in existence. It might also be translated: “fulfilled, accomplished, paid-in-full.” Essentially, Jesus, with this one word, “tetelestai,” announced that He had accomplished His God-given mission, fulfilling every prophetic detail, and paid-in-full the price for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. His salvation work is complete and its finished results are even now in existence for those who would believe on Him.
From: May 31, 2014
The story of David’s betrayal foreshadows that of Jesus. David wept on the Mount of Olives as he left Jerusalem. He was betrayed by a trusted advisor. And his advisor later hung himself. The Old Testament prepares us for the Jesus story, which is the gospel story. Yet, only those with eyes to see and ears to hear will believe.
From: May 31, 2012
In many ways the story of David’s betrayal foreshadows that of Jesus. David wept at the Mount of Olives. He was betrayed by a trusted advisor. And his advisor later hung himself. The OT prepares us for the Jesus story.