Woman, Behold Thy Son
John 19: 26-27
We have now come to the 3rd of Jesus’ sayings upon the cross. Literally these are two statements, but they are typically combined as the 3rd saying because they are within the same context. They both share the same idea and reveal a common desire of our blessed Lord.
As we consider this particular statement, it is interesting to note that the first three of Christ’s sayings regarded the needs of others. The first was a prayer of forgiveness; the second, a promise of redemption; and the third, a word of provision for His mother. Consider the words of Arthur Pink, "The Lord Jesus was dying as the Savior for sinners. He was engaged in the most momentous and the most stupendous undertaking that this earth ever has or ever will witness... Nevertheless, He does not overlook the responsibilities of natural ties; He fails not to make provision for her who, according to the flesh, was His mother."
Of the seven sayings, this may be the least familiar, but it is particularly special to me. It reveals the care of our Lord for those He loves. In this statement we see that the love and compassion of Christ remained a priority for Him, even as He hung in agony upon the cross. Even in His most difficult of moments, He was making provision for others. This may seem a common and even ordinary statement, but it is rich in truth and grace! Let’s take a few moments to consider the provisions in this 3rd saying: Woman, behold thy Son.
I. Behold thy Son (26) – When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Jesus revealed He was:
A. A Son of Identification – Keep in mind, this is God in the flesh hanging there upon the cross. He has already endured the cruelty of the scourging, the ridicule of the soldiers, the hatred of the Jews, and now He suffers under the load of sin and the torments of the cross. In that moment of grief and pain, Jesus says, Behold thy Son. He had been obedient to the cross of Calvary, and even there He identifies with His mother. The Son of God identifies with His earthly mother. He is dying for her sins as well as ours and yet He continues to identify with her. She is not despised or rejected; she is loved. He is doing this for her.
Jesus continues to identify with men. He continues to reveal Himself as their Savior. Praise God that He didn’t reject me. He loved me when I was unlovable. Jesus wants to identify with you today if you will only see Him! He wants you to come to Him in repentance so that He can identify with you in salvation. That is our only hope beyond the grave. John 6:37 – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Rom.10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
B. A Son of Compassion – Jesus loved His mother deeply. Even in His dying moments He was concerned about her physical well-being, V.27. He charged John to care for her when He was gone from the earth.
What a picture of the compassion of our Savior. It was His love that took Him to the cross. He died because He loved us. But His love didn’t end there. He remains a compassionate Savior. He is concerned with the hearts and souls of men. He is concerned about your situation today. He wants to make provision for you and meet your need. Heb.4:15 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Had He not loved us He would never have died for us. If He loved us enough to die for us, surely, He continues to have a heart of compassion for us!
C. A Son of Redemption – Jesus wanted Mary to look upon the cross. He wanted her to view the sacrifice that was made for her sins. Jesus wanted her to see Him as more than a son, but as the Savior. She was highly favored of the Lord. She was privileged above all women who ever lived in that she was chosen to bear the Messiah. But Mary was just a woman. Just as all humanity, she too needed a Savior! She too needed to believe upon Him as the Messiah.
That is His desire today. Jesus wants men, women, and children to behold the Son. He wants them to survey the cross and the precious blood that was shed. He desires all to come in faith believing on Him as their personal Savior! He wants all to realize that apart from Him there is no hope.
He is the only way! If we are to be saved and reconciled to God, we must come by the way of the cross. If you have never believed in Christ and the finished work of Calvary, Jesus desires you to look upon Him today. Look at the cross and the sacrifice that was made. Look at the hope that is offered to you through Christ our Lord! Behold the Son of God that has taken away the sins of the world!
II. Behold thy Mother (27) – Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. In this verse we find the provision of Jesus for His mother and the confidence that He has in John to fulfill this important obligation. John’s name isn’t mentioned in this account, but we can be certain that he was the disciple. The previous verse reveals that the disciple standing by was the one whom he loved. This statement is very encouraging and challenging for all who belong to the Lord. In it we find the blessed privilege of serving the Lord as well as the obligations associated with it. Notice:
A. The Selection of John – As Jesus hung upon the cross that day, there were few of His followers there. John 19:25 – Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. John was also with them, but we have no record of any of the other disciples being present at the cross.
We also know through the Scriptures that Jesus had other siblings. Matt.13:55-56 – Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? There were at least four half-brothers, whom Mary bore with Joseph. Why were these not at the cross? Why had Jesus not selected them or made provision through them to care for their mother? Why was John selected to be the one to receive this blessed honor and essential obligation?
I think the answer is clear. John had proven himself faithful to the Lord. Granted he had fled along with the others, but he had returned. I personally believe John made his way to the house of the high priest. I believe he was there as Jesus was tried and falsely accused. He is certainly there with Jesus at the cross. His faithfulness had not gone unnoticed. We can be certain this was a priority for Jesus and John was given the honor.
B. The Submission of John (27) – Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. We find no record of any hesitation or argument on the part of John. He does not try to reason with the Lord as to why this is not possible or the right decision. He simply submits to the will of the Lord and from that moment on, Mary was cared for and regarded as his own mother.
Have we not all been guilty of trying to argue with the Lord? Have we not all claimed to lack the ability or the means to perform the task the Lord has given us? Have we not reasoned in our minds that someone else would be better suited and more capable?
The Lord will never ask us to perform a task that He doesn’t equip us with the ability to perform. It may not be exactly what we envisioned or desired, but through Him we can accomplish it. We just need to submit to Him and trust Him.
C. The Sacrifice of John – I want to remind us that life was much different in that day. There wasn’t a grocery store on every street and government programs to assist the needy. John was a fisherman by trade. There is no indication that he was wealthy. This would require sacrifice for John. He had to agree to pay the price for serving the Lord.
Serving the Lord will cost you something. It may not necessarily create a financial burden, but it does involve sacrifice. We must be willing to sacrifice our time for the Lord. We must reach the place that we put the needs of others above our own. This is hard to do, but it is what the Lord expects.
Jesus was the greatest example of sacrifice and our service to Him requires that we be willing to do the same. If you are unwilling to sacrifice for the Lord, I doubt you will be used of Him much. John didn’t view this as a burden, even though it involved sacrifice. He was happy to be of service to his Lord and Master. John likely realized that Jesus had made the greatest of sacrifices for him and the least he could do was submit to His will.
D. The Satisfaction of John – And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. As far as I know, John never mentions Mary in his writings from this point on. We find nothing to support the fact that he resented taking her as his own mother. I am convinced John was honored and pleased to do this for Christ. John knew it was important to the Lord and he made it a priority.
I am a living testimony to the satisfaction of serving the Lord according to His plan. We may never be recognized or compensated in this life, but the Lord has not forgotten. He is keeping a record. The only way to experience real joy and peace in this life is to submit fully to God’s will for our lives.
John usually refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. There is no arrogance in that reference. John is simply humbled that the Lord would even love him and honored to have the privilege of serving Him.
Conclusion: I want to leave you with this thought. We each have the same privilege and obligation that John received as he stood at the foot of the cross. Mark 3:32-35 – And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. [33] And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? [34] And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! [35] For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Matt.25:40 – And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Are you willing to submit to Jesus today? Have you beheld Him as the Son of God that takes away the sin of the world? If so, are you willing to be used of Him in whatever capacity He desires? If not, you need to come and surrender your life to Him; He gave His for you!
