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“NEAR THE CROSS”
John 19:23–30
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1. Introduction – The Two Groups at Calvary
On Calvary, many people were present.
Some mocked Jesus.
Some watched from a distance.
Some were afraid.
But the Gospel of John tells us that eight people were very close to the Cross.
Two different groups stood there:
First group:
Four Roman soldiers.
Second group:
Four faithful followers of Jesus.
Both groups were near the Cross, but their reasons were completely different.
The soldiers were there because of duty.
The disciples were there because of love.
This contrast reveals a very important spiritual truth.
Even today, people can be near Jesus physically, but far from Him spiritually.
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2. The Cry of the Human Heart
Deep within every human person, there is a cry.
It is not always spoken with words, but it exists in the heart of every man and woman.
The human heart cries for:
• love
• forgiveness
• meaning
• hope
• salvation
Many people try to silence this cry in different ways.
Some seek satisfaction in wealth.
Some seek power.
Some seek pleasure.
Some seek recognition.
But none of these things can satisfy the deepest hunger of the human soul.
That is why the Cross of Christ is so powerful.
The Cross answers the deepest cry of the human heart.
When a person stands near the Cross, he realizes:
“I am loved.”
“I am forgiven.”
“My life has meaning.”
The Cross tells every wounded heart:
You are not abandoned.
You are not forgotten.
You are loved by God.
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3. The First Group – The Four Roman Soldiers (Near the Cross Out of Duty)
John 19:23 says:
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier.”
These soldiers were standing very close to the Cross.
But they did not understand the mystery of what was happening.
To them, Jesus was just another criminal.
They were doing their job.
Nothing more.
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3.1 A Heart Without Faith
While Jesus was suffering, the soldiers were busy dividing His clothes.
They even gambled for His tunic.
Imagine the scene.
The Savior of the world is dying.
And the soldiers are playing games.
This shows the tragedy of the human heart.
A person can stand very close to the Cross, yet remain spiritually blind.
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3.2 A Warning for Us
Even today some Christians behave like these soldiers.
They are close to the Church.
They attend Mass.
They participate in religious activities.
But their hearts remain untouched.
Faith becomes routine.
Prayer becomes habit.
Religion becomes duty.
But love is missing.
Standing near the Cross physically does not mean we are close to Christ spiritually.
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4. The Second Group – The Four Who Stood Near the Cross Out of Love
In contrast to the soldiers, the Gospel mentions another group.
John 19:25 tells us:
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
And also the beloved disciple John.
These people stood near the Cross not because they had to, but because they loved Jesus.
Love kept them there.
Faith kept them there.
Courage kept them there.
Let us look at them one by one.
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5. Mary – The Mother of Jesus
Mary stood beneath the Cross.
Thirty-three years earlier she held the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
Now she sees Him crucified.
A mother watching her son suffer is one of the greatest pains in the world.
The prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled:
“A sword will pierce your own soul.” (Luke 2:35)
Mary could have collapsed in grief.
She could have walked away.
But she did not.
She stood near the Cross.
Mary teaches us the meaning of faithful love.
Love remains even when the heart is broken.
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6. Salome – The Faithful Disciple
Another woman near the Cross was Salome, the sister of Mary.
She had followed Jesus during His ministry.
She had served Him with generosity.
Now she stands near the Cross with courage.
When many disciples disappeared in fear, these women remained.
They teach us that discipleship requires courage.
Faith sometimes means standing with Christ when the world rejects Him.
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7. Mary Magdalene – The Woman Transformed by Mercy
Mary Magdalene also stood near the Cross.
Jesus had delivered her from evil spirits.
Her life had been completely transformed.
She never forgot what Jesus had done for her.
That is why she remained near the Cross.
Gratitude gave her courage.
A person who truly experiences God's mercy will never abandon the Savior.
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8. John – The Beloved Disciple
The only apostle present was John.
Many apostles ran away.
Peter denied Jesus.
But John remained.
Why?
Because love is stronger than fear.
John had rested on the heart of Jesus at the Last Supper.
Now he stands beneath the Cross.
Love keeps him faithful.
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9. The Spiritual Meaning of These Two Groups
Calvary reveals a profound truth.
There are always two types of people near the Cross.
The Soldiers
Near the Cross out of duty.
The Disciples
Near the Cross out of love.
The same question confronts every Christian.
Why are we near Christ?
Because of habit?
Because of obligation?
Or because of love?
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10. The Words of Jesus from the Cross
When we stand near the Cross, we hear the voice of Jesus.
Jesus speaks words that change human history.
“Father, forgive them.”
Forgiveness.
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Mercy.
“Woman, behold your son.”
A new spiritual family.
“I thirst.”
Jesus thirsts for human love.
“It is finished.”
The work of salvation is complete.
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Perfect surrender.
The Cross is the place where heaven touches earth.
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11. Spiritual Diagnosis
Let us examine our hearts.
Many people follow Jesus when life is easy.
But when suffering comes, they move away from the Cross.
The Cross tests our faith.
The Cross reveals the truth of our love.
Jesus said:
“Whoever wants to follow me must take up his cross.” (Luke 9:23)
Discipleship is not comfort.
It is commitment.
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12. Spiritual Contrast
Calvary presents a powerful spiritual contrast.
Two groups stood near the Cross.
The Soldiers
They were near the Cross physically.
But their hearts were far away.
They saw only a dying man.
They did not recognize the Savior.
The Faithful Disciples
They stood near the Cross because they loved Jesus.
They saw suffering.
But they also saw faith, sacrifice, and redemption.
This contrast exists even today.
Some people are near the Church but far from Christ.
Others remain faithful even in suffering.
The question every Christian must ask is this:
Which group do I belong to?
Am I near Christ only in appearance?
Or am I near Him with a loving heart?
Lent is a time to examine this honestly.
13. Illustration – The Difference Between Duty and Love
A nurse once worked in a hospital caring for patients.
She did her work perfectly.
But everything she did was only duty.
One day her own mother was admitted to the hospital.
Suddenly her attitude changed.
Now she served with tenderness.
Why?
Because love changes the way we serve.
The soldiers served out of duty.
The disciples remained out of love.
Love makes sacrifice meaningful.
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14. The Call of the Hour
The Cross is asking us today:
Why are you near Jesus?
Because of tradition?
Because of routine?
Or because of love?
Lent invites us to move from duty to love.
Not mechanical faith.
But passionate faith.
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15. This Week's Action
During this Lenten season:
• Spend time praying before the Crucifix.
• Reflect on the Passion of Christ.
• Go for confession.
• Forgive someone who hurt you.
• Offer your suffering to God.
These practices bring us closer to the Cross.
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16. Pastoral Reflection
The Church is like a spiritual hospital.
People come wounded by sin and suffering.
But near the Cross, healing begins.
The Word of God works like spiritual medicine.
The Sacraments restore life.
The Cross is the place where wounded humanity finds hope.
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17. Conclusion – Which Group Are We In?
At Calvary, there were two groups.
The soldiers.
And the faithful disciples.
Both stood near the Cross.
But their hearts were very different.
The soldiers were near out of duty.
The disciples were near out of love.
My dear brothers and sisters,
Lent invites us to ask a serious question:
Are we near the Cross because we must?
Or because we love Christ?
Let us become disciples who remain near the Cross.
Because near the Cross we find:
Forgiveness.
Healing.
Hope.
And eternal life.
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18. Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You gave your life for us on the Cross.
Help us to stand near your Cross with faith and love.
Remove the hardness from our hearts.
Teach us to follow you not out of duty alone, but out of deep love.
Touch every wounded heart present here today.
Those who are burdened with guilt—grant them forgiveness.
Those who are suffering in body—grant them strength.
Those who are troubled in mind—grant them peace.
Those who are searching for meaning—lead them to the light of your truth.
Lord, transform our hearts so that we may follow you with sincerity and love.
May your Cross teach us humility.
May your Cross teach us sacrifice.
May your Cross teach us forgiveness.
And when our earthly journey is finished,
may the Cross that we embraced in this life lead us to the joy of your Resurrection and the glory of eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Contact details:
Dr. ADDANKI RAJU.
addankiraju.blogspot.com
addankiraju9@gmail.com
Mobile, WhatsApp: +91 98481 43047
X: Dr. ADDANKI RAJU@addankiraju
Facebook: Addanki Raju
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A Gentle Invitation to Share
If this message has brought you even a small measure of joy, light, encouragement, or spiritual nourishment, I humbly invite you to share this spiritual food with others.
Someone you know may be waiting for a word of hope.
Someone may be silently searching for meaning.
Someone may be thirsty for God.
By sharing this message, you become a simple yet powerful instrument in God’s hands. This small act of sharing becomes a beautiful act of evangelisation — a quiet mission of love you carry out in your daily life.
Let the Word that touched your heart reach another heart.
May the Lord use you to spread His light.
May His Word bear abundant fruit.
God bless you abundantly.
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