Jesus Entrusts Mary and John to Each Other

Only the Gospel of John records this passage, and we assume that the disciple Jesus loved is John. It's interesting only women and John are there at the end with Jesus. Scholars believe that during a time of perceived revolution, women were not a threat so they could come and go as they pleased. And, John was likely still very young, so also not regarded as a serious threat. Notice also this disciple is mentioned in John 18:15-16. 

Jesus' mother, Mary, has been lovingly devoted to Jesus to the very end. While she doesn't fully understand the purpose of Jesus' death yet, we assume she did after the resurrection, since John takes her to his home and welcomes her as though she were his own mother. I wonder if in this horrifically painful moment for Mary, she is reminded of the prophet Simeon's prophecy over Jesus, and specifically to her, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:35)

Jesus, after hanging on the cross for several excruciating hours, suffocating, barely able to talk, in pain beyond imagination, both physically and spiritually, still sees the crowd with compassion, and particularly his own dear mother. Jesus makes loving provision for her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And to John, "Here is your mother."  

Jesus cares deeply for his mother and her needs. Just as he does for you and me.

Is there some area of your life, a place of pain, confusion, grief, or fear, where you need to sense Jesus' tender compassion? Lord, Jesus, thank you that you see me, that you care for me, and you are here for me. Will you please show me today your tangible, loving care.

Another important thing to see in this encounter is the beginning of the church family. Mary had other children who could have met her physical needs after Jesus' death, yet Jesus entrusts her to John's care. He realized our need for spiritual relationship which we find only in the family of God. Sometimes, ideally, our earthly family is also our spiritual family. But sometimes, as Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." While the Lord definitely wants us to love and care for our earthly families, we are also to live out deep, practical, loving care for our spiritual family. In our context at RH, the hope is our Microchurch will become our spiritual family. Jesus earlier had redefined family in Luke 8 - "The one who does the will of my Father is my mother, brother, sister." And he also said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)

Lord Jesus, who is someone in my spiritual family that I can love and care for in a practical way? Please bring to mind and help me do this. Thank you for entrusting us to each other.