"The Word Of Affection" Series

• As Jesus hung upon the tree of iniquity, taking upon Himself the sins of the world, He used SEVEN profound words

• These words, all with specific purpose and meaning, can be applied to our lives as we go about life on earth

• These words, carry all the authority and power that God had bestowed upon his Son

• As we look at these words over the next few weeks, it is my prayer that when times get tough, when we struggle with life, when things aren’t where they ought to be; my prayer is that we take one or more of these words, analyze how and why Jesus spoke it and apply it to our life that God through us might be glorified

1. THE WORD OF AFFECTION (John 19:25-27)

• John 19:25-27: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

• Jesus, as He looked down upon His mother and the disciple that He loved greatly, He saw the need to unite the two so that one could encourage the other and provide for one another throughout the remainder of their lives

• Let us first look at Mary, the mother of Jesus

• Mary was called upon by God to be the mother of Jesus because of her ‘right’ standing before God

• Luke 1:28-29: “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.”

• When Mary received this word from the angel, Luke described her response as being ‘troubled’

• The word troubled here means that she was “Troubled at his saying. Disturbed or perplexed at what he said. It was so unexpected, so sudden, so extraordinary, and was so high an honour, that she was filled with anxious thoughts, and did not know what to make of it.”

• In other words, she wasn’t broken hearted but rather anxious at the thought of having been selected and realizing the magnitude of the calling

• This commission, no doubt, brought with it great honor, but it also brought the reality that there was great danger to Mary’s reputation

• Why? Because she was engaged but not married, and for her to be ‘pregnant’ would mean an illegitimate child would be perceived by society

• This would be no small trial on Mary’s faith

• Nevertheless, she was faithful and trusting in God’s call in her life:

a. Luke 1:38: “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

• The response and the call were tremendous actions but the fact that Mary was ‘troubled’ is a precursor to many trials and sorrows to come in the life of her Son

• Mary was troubled throughout the life of Jesus. Some of the instances include:

a. The fact that there was no room at the inn and her Baby had to be placed in a manger

b. Herod’s push to destroy her babies life

c. She and her family had to flee to a foreign country for protection

d. Her Son was despised and rejected of men

e. He was hated and rejected by His own nation

f. It was her Son that hung upon the cross

• Realizing this then, if Christ was a Man of Sorrows; wouldn’t Mary qualify as a Woman of Sorrows?

• “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother…”

2. THE WORD OF AFFECTION WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF SIMEON’S PROPHECY

• In order to fulfill the Mosaic Law, the parents of Jesus took Him to the temple to present Him to the Lord.

• It was then that Simeon, took Jesus into his arms and said:

a. Luke 2:29-32: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

• After the proclamation to God, Simeon turned to Mary and pronounced the scene in which we currently study:

a. Luke 2:34-35: “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”