The Cross Brings Friends And Family Together Series

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

- Welcome to Friends and Family Day

- Guests visiting

- Our series: The Cross of Christ

DNA DISCOVERIES: “MORE THAN FRIENDS”

Family histories and lineages are becoming more and more popular as people want to learn about and discover who they are, where they came from, who their ancestors may have been and maybe even what famous people you might be related to.

A man named Walter MacFarlane was born in 1943 and raised in Nu’uanu, Hawaii. His best friend since sixth grade has been a guy named Alan “Robi” Robinson. They were both star players on their high school football team—MacFarlane at tight end and Robi at tackle—and they did everything together. More than 60 years later, they still live near where they were raised and they’re still inseparable. In 2017 MacFarlane’s children bought him a DNA testing kit for his birthday. He sent in his info, and the testing company told him he matched with someone in his area: Alan “Robi” Robinson.

It turns out the friend who was like a brother to him really was his brother. They have the same mother. Robi was adopted; MacFarlane was raised by his grandparents. MacFarlane said the possibility never crossed his mind, though “there were times when I did think, ‘I look like Robi a little bit.’” MacFarlane shared the news with Robinson at a family Christmas party, to which he was invited as a “new” member of the family. Robinson said, “I’ve never gotten a Christmas present this good.”

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

This morning, we are continuing our series on the Cross of Christ. What the cross means to us today as we examine how Christ’s death reaches into our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Today’s lesson is aptly titled “The Cross Brings Friends and Family Together.” Let’s read our text together.

JOHN 19:25-27 (2 Slides)

25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Much of the crowd that Jesus had taught for 3 years turned their backs on him and were the instigators for crucifixion. The authorities in power did not defend him but handed him over to be killed. The criminal on the cross next to Jesus mocked him. The soldiers divided his clothing among themselves. Many of Jesus’ disciples were nowhere to be found at this hill of Golgotha.

I imagine the scene is one of conflicted silence. Men and women who were regretting their calls of “Crucify Him!” because they could now see he was innocent while at the same time knowing that over and over again in their lives, they were taught to stand up against false teachings and blaspheming about God. The Pharisees were great at teaching the law and these people had bought into the good teachings as well as the bad and false teachings. Their obedience and desire to believe and obey what is right hardened their hearts.

There may have been some sniffles and sobbing because we know that emotions run high and seeing death come to the man who healed people, they knew was a sad situation. This man fed our family early in his ministry on a hill with 5000 other families as he taught us to be a light to this world, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, we learned to pray to God and ask Him for His blessings, not to be angry with people or lust or retaliate against those who do us harm, to love and pray for our enemies, give to those in need, and follow him.

And at the foot of the cross we find ourselves here in John 19. Gathered at the foot of this cross were some of Jesus’ family and his friends. They were witnessing what many of us would stand in horror to view. Their sadness must have been thick with tension.

But, even in the midst of this cruel situation, Jesus has the clarity of mind to share some words with them.

In our passage, we find Jesus on the cross. His destiny is sealed as was known by God from the beginning and was foretold by the ancient prophets. And as he looks down, he sees these friends and family already grieving the loss of their teacher, relative, and friend.

First, we have Mary, Jesus’ mother. At this time, we never hear about Joseph. He has likely already passed away well before this event. The last time we hear about Joseph was when he and Mary went searching for the lost 12-year-old boy Jesus at the Temple.