Reading: John chapter 19 verses 23-27.
In this series of studies:
• We are considering the seven statements of Jesus from the cross:
• These statements are very important to us:
• Not only because of the Person who spoke them;
• But, also because of the place where they were said.
• Remember the context that these great words were spoken in;
• It was when our Jesus was doing His greatest work on earth,
Quote:
“These seven last words from the cross are windows that enable us to look into eternity and see the heart of God.”
• This morning we are looking at the third statement that Jesus made on the cross;
• “Dear woman, here is your son (and to the disciple)….here is your mother.”
Quote: British Lexicographer (one who makes dictionaries) Samuel Johnson
“Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.".
If ever there was a moment when we would expect a man to concentrate, focus his mind, think only of himself,
• It surely is at the hour of his death.
• Especially if the throes of death are especially painful,
• You would expect the sufferer to focus exclusively on his own immediate needs.
• To be self-absorbed.
Yet, Jesus:
• Who was in excruciating pain while hanging on the cross,
• Thought not of himself but of others!
Quote: William Barclay writes:
"There is something infinitely moving in the fact that Jesus in the agony of the cross, in the moment when the salvation of the world hung in the balance, thought of the loneliness of his mother in the days when he was taken away."
Quote: Some on else had similar thoughts and wrote:
“If it is true that God created in order that He might redeem,
Jesus was now doing the work for which the world was made.
Here on the centre cross the purpose of the ages would be consummated.
This was the hub into which the spokes of God's purposes would come together in a beautiful display of divine attributes.
Both God's love and justice were put on display for all to see.
Yet at this moment, Jesus did not overlook His earthly family obligations”.
• We will see in a few minutes how he met the needs of his family obligations;
• But first I want to divide these verses under four headings.
(1). Important act (vs 25-26):
“ 25Jesus' mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. [c] 26When Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son."”.
Church tradition (not the Bible):
• Tells us that Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, had long since died.
• The last time he is mentioned in the gospels, is when Jesus was twelve years old.
• The time Jesus remained in the temple at Jerusalem (Luke chapter 2 verse 46);
• And his parents had lost track of him.
• When they find him they discover he is;
• “Discussing doctrinal matters with the teacher of the law”.
• And with this story, Joseph passes from the pages of the New Testament.
• So it is logical to assume he died when Jesus was a teenager.
That would mean of course that:
• As the eldest son in a single parent home,
• Jesus, the first-born is responsible to provide for his mother.
• This practice still takes place in many countries today.
• Ill: Solomon Nathaniel will testify to that!
Question:
• What about the rest of the family members?
• Why did Jesus not commit His mother to His half brothers & sisters?
• That is the children Mary bore to Joseph after the miraculous virgin birth?
• They are named in for us Matthew chapter 13 verses 55.
55“Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57And they took offence at him.
But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honour.”
Answer: is two fold:
• (a). Geographically; his brothers and sisters were not in Jerusalem;
• They lived & worked in the area of Galilee.
• As there is no mention of them;
• It is logical to assume that they remained up north, in Galilee.
• (B). Unbelief.
• We know that they did not believe at this time that Jesus was the Messiah.
• Even late in His ministry we read,
• "For even his own brothers did not believe in him" (John chapter 7 verse 5).
• It would take the events of both the Crucifixion and Resurrection to change their minds,
• Before they were converted and believed in him;
• We know they were because they were among those who met in the Upper Room;
• When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost we are told (Acts chapter 1 verse 14).
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
But at this particular moment in time, there are no blood-relatives available:
• So Jesus created a new family for his mother Mary.
• He committed her to a new "son," John the disciple.
(2). Important garment (verses 23-25a).
“When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24“Let's not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let's decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.”] So this is what the soldiers did.
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother.”
According to custom:
• The victim of crucifixion was escorted to the place of execution by four soldiers.
• The clothes of an executed criminal were then at the disposal of these soldiers,
• It was one of the perks of the job.
• They were able to sell on the clothes and it no doubt kept them in beer (wine) money!
Normally a Jew in Palestine wore five items of clothing:
• Tunic or undergarment.
• Robe.
• Belt.
• Sandals.
• Head covering.
In verse 23 all five items are referred to;
“When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.”
• There were four soldiers and five articles of clothing;
• They diced for them, each had his pick (one got his belt, sandals, head covering & robe).
That left one more piece of clothing:
• NIV: 'undergarment'. KJB: ‘his coat’. Other versions call it a ‘tunic’.
• A tunic or undergarment is perhaps the best translation:
Ill:
• Even though this item of clothing was worn next to the skin,
• It was not equivalent to our undergarments,
• It was a full layer of clothing;
• And on top of this garment was worn a robe;
• We do know that this garment was seamless,
• Woven in one piece from top to bottom!
• And that the soldiers decided to gamble for it,
• So that it would not lose its monetary value.;
What is incredible to me, is the total indifference of the soldiers to Jesus:
• The religious leaders demonstrated outright hostility.
• These soldiers express total indifference!
• While they played at dice;
• The purpose of the ages was being consummated!
Ill:
• An artist painted Christ standing with nail-pierced hands out stretched in a modern city,
• While the crowds surge by.
• Not one of them is even sparing him a look;
• Except only a young woman.
• Beneath the picture there is the question
• (Quote: Lamentations chapter 1 verse 12);“Is it nothing to you all who pass by?”
Note:
• Unique garment:
• The New Testament book of Hebrews describes Jesus as our "High Priest" (Heb. 4:14).
• And there may be a symbolic link here;
• That John wanted his readers to notice.
• The garment the high priest would have worn is described as;
• Being woven in one piece from top to bottom.
The function of the high priest was to be the liaison between God and man:
• ill: Latin for priest is ‘pontifex’,
• Which means ‘bridge-builder’.
• The job of the priest was to;
• Present sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of the sins of His people.
• But no priest had ever become the sacrifice.
• Until this One.
• Jesus was God’s perfect high priest;
• Who opened the perfect way back to God.
A greater connection:
• The high priest link is symbolic;
• But I believe John's description of Jesus' tunic;
• May have been intended as a bridge.
• Linking the words of Jesus with his mother.
Ill:
• Good evidence to show that Jewish mothers customarily made ‘chi-tons’ , or ‘tunics’,
• For their sons, to commemorate their coming of age.
• It is very likely that Mary had done just that for Jesus.
• And maybe this tunic had been a special gift of endearment from a mother to her son.
• And when the soldiers began talking about how they'd settle the matter of the tunic,
• Jesus naturally turned to see His mother's reaction.
Notice the flow of the narrative (verses 24-26a):
“Let's not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let's decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.”[a] So this is what the soldiers did.
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there”.
• John's description of Jesus' tunic;
• May have been intended as a bridge.
• Linking the words of Jesus;
• With his mother.
• John tells us that the debate over who will get the garment;
• Caused Jesus to fix His agonizing gaze on His mother, who was standing near by.
(3). Important Relationships:
First Relationship: Mary (Verse 25):
'Near the cross of Jesus' stood his mother’
• Jesus’ disciples may have deserted him,
• His friends may have forsaken him,
• The nation may despise him,
• But his mother stood there hour upon hour, silently watching.
Was a remarkable woman she was;
• She was blessed among all women (note: ‘among’ not ‘above’)
• Chosen among all women to be the mother of Jesus the Messiah.
• Eight days after Jesus had been born
• As was the custom she took him to the temple.
• There a man called Simeon (Luke chapter 4 verses 28-35);
• Spoke out a prophecy concerning this child.
• And then afterwards in his blessing of Mary & Joseph;
• He made a prediction to marry; “A sword will pierce your own soul too”.
And as Mary stood at the cross watching her first born die:
• Those words were fulfilled;
• “A sword did pierce her very soul”.
• She had been the first to place a kiss upon his brow;
• But now it was crowned with thorns.
• She was the first to guide his little feet and lead him as a child;
• Now those hands and feet were nailed to the cross.
The fact she was standing there at all is amazing:
• The crowd are mocking,
• The thieves are taunting,
• The priests are jeering,
• Her first born son bleeding, dying, strewn up like a piece of dead meat!
• And as Mary stands there soaking all of this in;
• I’m amazed she did not faint or collapse in all the anguish of her broken heart.
Note:
• With John drawing our attention to Mary the mother of Jesus;
• It is worth noting the way in which Jesus addressed Mary in the gospels:
• John makes it very plain to us that Mary was the mother of Jesus;
• For 33 years that is the special relationship she has enjoyed.
• Ill: And at least three times in these short verses;
• John makes good use of the word 'mother' e.g.
• (Verse 25): 'Near the cross of Jesus' stood his mother’
• (Verse 26a): ‘When Jesus saw his mother there’ (Verse 26b): ‘He said to his mother’
So at least three times John uses the word 'mother' in these few verses:
• Yet when Jesus spoke to Mary his earthly mother;
• He did not call her 'mother' but often used an alternative description.
• e.g. Here he says, 'Dear woman’ (KJB 'Woman’'), here is your son.'
• This is not what you would expect a son to call his mother, especially a dying son!
• Worth pointing out that there was no harshness in the language used by Jesus;
• The term 'woman', or 'dear woman',
• Would have the same meaning as our word ‘lady’, or 'madam'.
• It is in effect a title of consideration, honour and respect,
But it is not the term we would expect a dying son to use when speaking to his heart-broken mother.
• In fact; throughout the Gospel records;
• There is not a single occasion when the Lord Jesus publicly called Mary 'mother'.
• He was always restrained in his choice of words when speaking to her.
• And here at the cross we see that restraint evidenced again!
The Lord was giving comfort to Mary and making provision for her future care:
• But she, like the other disciples were from now on;
• Having to know Jesus in a new way, they were start a new relationship with Jesus.
• One built not on physical ties that one day will end at death;
• But a spiritual relationship that would last beyond death and into eternity.
Mary had been ‘blessed among all women’:
• She was chosen of God to carry and give birth to his son;
• She had nurtured and raised him and enjoyed a unique relationship.
• But all of that would not and could not save her spiritually;
• Like the disciples and the half-brothers of Jesus.
• She too must know Jesus as Lord and saviour;
• And to do that she too would have to start a new relationship with him!
Second Relationship: John the disciple.
• Jesus honoured John at the cross.
• He like the other disciples had fled and ran away when Jesus was arrested.
• Although there is no mention of any of the other disciples returning;
• It would appear that John came back.
• He did stand at the cross and identify himself with Jesus;
• Which was a dangerous thing to do.
• To the Romans Jesus was somebody who deserved death,
• To the Religious leaders he was a heretic.
• To be a friend and disciple of such a man;
• Might bring the same punishment upon you as well!
Yet despite his failings, Jesus honours John at the cross:
• Jesus tells him that he was going to take his place in the family;
• From now on John you are to care for and watch over my mother.
• As I have been a son to her;
• From now on you will be that son!
(4). Important Instructions (vs 26-27a):
“When Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son." 27Then he said to the disciple, "She is now your mother." From then on, that disciple took her into his own home”.
• As we have noted;
• While Jesus was suffering unimaginable physical and the mental agony of crucifixion:
• He remained mindful of His mother.
• And made sure she was taken care of.
• With His father dead and His siblings unbelievers,
• Jesus turned to His closest follower, John.
• In essence,
• Jesus inaugurated a new relationship between His mother, and his close friend.
• Mary would be John's mother;
• John would be her son.
Though wonderfully courageous in her faith,
• Mary at her time of grief needed the support and care of a loving family.
• And Jesus knew exactly where she would find that comfort and support.
• So John took care of Mary,
• And Jesus need not be concerned for Mary’s future any more!
Note: Please flick over to chapter 20.
• Three days later, Peter and John were the first to run to the sepulchre of Jesus;
• Peter went in and noticed the orderly arrangement of the grave clothes.
• Then John entered, and we read,
• "He saw and believed" (John chapter 20 verse 8);
• John knew that Jesus had been raised from the dead.
• Question: What did the disciples do with this exciting news?
• Answer: They returned to their own homes (John chapter 20 verse 10).
• That means that John hurried home to tell Mary that her Son had risen from the dead.
• The last picture we have of Mary is that of a devoted follower.
• Acts chapter 1 verses 13-14.
• There we read of both John and Mary and Jesus' half-brothers are also there
• They are in the upper room with the other disciples;
• They are all following orders given them by Jesus;
• Waiting the descent of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had promised.
• Mary and her other sons all came to believe in the Jesus as the Lord & Messiah;
• And the last mention of the family, is a family united in devotion to him.
