Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this gathering of hearts and souls, united by our shared faith and the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are here not because we are perfect, but because we are loved by a perfect God. We are here because we seek to understand His word, His will, and His way. We are here because we are family, bound not by blood, but by a covenant of grace and redemption.

Our focus today is a poignant scene from the Gospel of John, a moment of tenderness and strength amid the darkest hour. It is an intimate snapshot of Jesus on the cross, a glimpse into His compassionate heart even as He endured unimaginable suffering. Let's read together from the book of John, chapter 19, verses 26 to 27:

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

This passage, though brief, is laden with profound lessons on healing, harmony, and hope. Healing through the maternal bonds that Jesus acknowledges and reinforces. Harmony in our relationships, as Jesus reminds us of our interconnectedness and mutual responsibility. And hope for deliverance and freedom, as Jesus, even in His dying moments, assures us of His enduring care and concern.

The renowned Christian author and theologian, J.I. Packer, once said, 'Adoption is the highest privilege that the gospel offers.' In these verses, we see Jesus exemplifying this truth, adopting His beloved disciple into His own family, and entrusting him with the care of His mother. In doing so, He underscores the power of love to transcend biological ties, and the potential of faith to forge new familial bonds.

As we delve into this passage, let's keep this thought in mind. Let's remember that we, too, are adopted children of God, called to love and care for one another as Jesus loved and cared for His mother and His disciple.

Let's bow our heads and open our hearts in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for this gathering, and for Your Word that guides and enlightens us. We pray that as we study this passage, You would open our minds to understand, our hearts to receive, and our lives to reflect the lessons therein. May Your Holy Spirit guide us, and may Your love bind us together as a family. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Healing Through Maternal Bonds

In the midst of His suffering on the cross, Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved. His heart, filled with compassion, reached out to them. He saw the pain in His mother's eyes, the grief that was tearing her heart apart. He saw the confusion and sorrow in the disciple's face, the struggle to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening. And in that moment, Jesus spoke words of comfort and assurance, words that would forever change their lives and ours.

He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' And to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' In that moment, Jesus was not just acknowledging the presence of His mother and the disciple. He was creating a bond between them, a bond that would provide healing and comfort in the days to come. He was entrusting His mother into the care of the disciple, and the disciple into the care of His mother. He was establishing a new family, born out of love and faith.

Jesus' words to His mother and the disciple reveal His deep understanding of the human need for connection and belonging. Even in His dying moments, He was concerned about the well-being of His mother and His disciple. He knew that His mother would need someone to lean on, someone to share her grief with. And so, He brought them together, creating a bond that would provide healing and comfort.

This bond was not just about physical care and support. It was about emotional and spiritual healing. It was about finding strength in each other, about drawing comfort from each other's presence.

Jesus' words also reveal His deep respect for His mother. He addressed her as 'Woman,' a term of respect and honor in the Jewish culture. He acknowledged her pain and suffering, and provided a way for her to find comfort and healing. Jesus showed us that even in the midst of our own pain and suffering, we can and should reach out to others, offering comfort and healing.

This new bond that Jesus created between His mother and the disciple is a model for us in our own relationships. It shows us that our relationships should be based on love and faith, not just on biological ties. It shows us that we can find healing and comfort in our relationships, that we can draw strength from each other.

Harmony in Our Relationships

In the midst of His own agony, Jesus takes the time to address His mother and His beloved disciple ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO