Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to gather together in this sacred space, united by our shared faith and the profound love we have for our Lord Jesus Christ. As we prepare our hearts to receive His word today, let's remember that we are not just observers but active participants in the grand story of God's redemption. Today, we will be focusing on a particular passage from the book of John, chapter 19, verses 25 to 27. Allow me to share this with you:

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

This poignant scene at the foot of the cross, where Jesus, even in His agony, expresses His concern for His mother, offers us a profound insight into the depth of Christ's love and the essence of His message to humanity.

Manifestation of Maternal Love

In the heart of this Scripture, we find a mother standing by her son in his most agonizing moment. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a figure of strength and unwavering love. Her presence at the foot of the cross is a testament to the enduring power of a mother's love, a love that remains steadfast even in the face of unimaginable pain.

Mary's love for Jesus didn't waver, even as she watched her son suffer. This is the kind of love that doesn't shy away from pain. It's a love that stands firm, even when everything else is falling apart. It's a love that says, "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." This is the kind of love that we see in Mary.

This love is not only seen in Mary's presence at the cross but also in her willingness to accept Jesus' directive to view John as her son. This is not a simple request. It's a call to extend her motherly love beyond her biological child, to embrace another as her own.

In this, we see a reflection of God's love for us. Just as Mary was asked to take John as her son, God has taken us as His children. He has opened His heart to us, welcomed us into His family.

Yet, this love is not without its cost. For Mary, it meant enduring the pain of watching her son suffer. It meant accepting the loss of her son and welcoming another in his place. This is a love that is willing to endure pain, to make sacrifices.

This sacrificial aspect of love is also reflected in God's love for us. He was willing to sacrifice His only Son for our sake. He was willing to endure the pain of separation, the agony of loss, for our redemption.

In the midst of this pain and sacrifice, however, there is also a profound sense of hope. For in accepting John as her son, Mary was not only acknowledging the loss of Jesus but also embracing the promise of a new relationship, a new connection. This is a love that looks forward, that sees beyond the pain to the promise of something new.

This sense of hope is also a crucial aspect of God's love for us. Despite our sins, despite our failures, He sees in us the potential for redemption, for transformation.

Magnanimity of Jesus' Sacrifice

In the midst of the crucifixion scene, we find Jesus, the Son of God, bearing the weight of the world's sins ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO