Words Of Affection Series

Words Of Affection

John 19:17-27

The third word from the cross presents us with one of the tenderest scenes to be observed on the day Christ was crucified. Here are words of affection.

Mary is at the cross where Jesus is being crucified. This was without question her most difficult moment as the mother of Jesus. There at the cross she watches her son dying an agonizing and shameful . She has decided to watch him until the end. Others have left, not willing to watch the horror of it all. But Mary and a few others (spiritual must not ignore the responsibilities ople nature. remain steadfast in their vigil.

Now the spoil of soldiers was a dying man’s garments. His outer garment was simply torn into four pieces. John 19:24 tells us that the soldiers did not want to divide his coat (tunic - inner garment) into four pieces because it would have destroyed its value. As a result, they rolled the dice to see who would end up with it. Imagine with me what this scene must have looked like to Jesus. As He looked down past his y feet He observed common soldiers playing their part in the world’s most uncommon drama. As far as they’re concerned, its just another day, and He’s just another criminal.

It is no coincidence that the soldiers divided up His belongings and gambled for his clothes. This was a predictive prophecy from Psalm 22:18 and is quoted in John 19:24, “They parted my raiment among them and for my vestue they did cast lots.”

According to tradition, His mother gave this undergarment to Jesus. This was something that mothers normally gave their sons when they left home. If this is true, then there seems to be a connection between what the soldiers were doing and the third shout from the Savior. Right after we are told that they cast lots, the Lord speaks to his mother.

Why now? She’s been there all along, watching and weeping. His outer garments were insignificant. But when they touched the tunic, they touched something very near to His heart—the garment made for Him by His mother.

I. Here we observe a sacred pattern

Here is an example for children to follow in honoring their parents. The Lord Jesus evidenced His perfection in the manner in which he fully discharged the obligations of every relationship that he sustained, either to God or man. On the cross we behold his tender care and concern for his mother. We have the pattern of Jesus Christ presented to all children for their imitation.

The words which the finger of God engraved on the two tables of stone, and which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, have never been repealed. The words of Exodus 20:12 are reiterated in Ephesians 6:1-3: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it maybe well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth."

The commandment for children to honor their parents goes far beyond just obedience to their expressed will though, of course, it includes that. It embraces love and affection, gratitude and respect.

It is too often assumed that this fifth commandment is addressed to young children only. Nothing can be further from the truth. Without a doubt it is addressed to children, but to conclude that this commandment loses its force when childhood is left behind is to miss its meaning completely. "Honour" looks beyond obedience.

In the course of time children grow to s. The reach a point where they are no longer beneath the control of their parents, yet their obligations to their parents has not ceased. They owe their parents a debt which they can never fully discharge. The very least they can do is to hold their parents in high esteem and reverence them. In the perfect example we find both obedience and esteem manifested.

In the last hours of his human life, amid the sufferings of the cross, the Lord Jesus thought of his mother who loved him and whom he loved; he thought of her present necessity and provided for her future need by committing her to the care of John

Our Lord’s act on the cross in commending Mary to the care of his beloved apostle is better understood in the light of his mother’s widowhood. Though the gospels do not specifically record Joseph’s , there is little doubt but that Joseph died some time before the Lord Jesus began his public ministry. Nothing is seen of Mary’s husband after the incident recorded in Luke 2 when Christ was a boy of twelve. In John 2 Mary is seen at the Cana marriage, but no hint is given that Joseph was present. In light of the fact that the time had now arrived when he might no longer be a comfort to her by his bodily presence, his loving care is manifested toward her in his provision for her.