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. John 19:25-27
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Questions:
- Who was nearby Jesus at the cross?
- Stop for a minute and try to imagine their horror...what must they have been thinking through all this?
- Who was Jesus concerned about...why? (Mary was a widow, Jesus, her oldest son was the one to look after her but He would not longer be there to do this)
- What did He ask John to do?
- What does this show us about God's heart towards not only His own mother but all widows? (read Psalm 68:5 and James 1:27)
Thoughts:
Even close to death, Jesus still tenderly looked after His mother. She was a widow and now would lose her oldest son. Throughout the Bible, God is clear about His concern for widows, orphans (the fatherless) and aliens. It is called "pure and faultless religion." We, the Church, need to be about this today. We should pray and ask the Lord how we can help those in need, following in our Savior's footsteps.
Prayer:
Lord God, there are many in need, widows, orphans and aliens, in our own country and around the world. May Your Church reach out to them and remember them, just as You remembered Your mother Mary, from the cross. Help us to be Your hands and feet to a hurting world.
Song: Your Mercy Saved Me
Here I am a sinner broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the 'Great I am', rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears
A Father to the fatherless, redeemer of my soul
My Life is Yours forever, my heart will always know
Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me, called me as Your own
Here I stand a child of Yours broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away
Healer of my brokenness, my weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head
You're greater than my yesterdays, You hold me close today
You're the Lord of my tomorrows, my heart will always say
You're greater than my yesterdays, You hold me close today
You're the Lord of my tomorrows, my heart will always say
Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me, called me as Your own
Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole, me whole
Your mercy found me, called me as Your own
You called me as Your own
You called me as Your own
Thank You for Your mercy
Thank You for Your mercy
Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me, called me as Your own
Your mercy saved me, mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me, called me as Your own
You called me as Your own, Your own
Here is a link for the song by Casting Crowns: Mercy
For Further Study:
There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage
* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*
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