A. Background & Comments:

• in just 4 weeks we will find ourselves at Easter, once again celebrating the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a most meaningful time when we view ourselves in light of the cross & the events that followed. It is good for us to do periodic self-evaluation & see where we are in relationship to the Son of God, our Savior & Lord.

• in the gospel accounts of Jesus Christ’s life, death & resurrection, we see 7 distinct statements from his lips that not only speak to the moment, but also to his perspectives & attitudes toward life itself. Obviously, with only 4 weeks to go before Easter, we will only be able to identify 4 of the 7 statements.

• Today, we pause to consider what is generally accepted to be the first statement of Jesus from the cross. The interaction we witness today is a brief encounter between a dieing son, his mother & his best friend, in the midst of great injustice & fear. We see Jesus Christ responding to his followers, even at the end of life, with a response of teaching & compassion.

B. Main Thought:

• This passage helps us understand how we can respond when we are faced with the most difficult circumstances life has to offer.

C. Key Question:

• How does Jesus Christ expect his followers to respond to the events of life… especially the ones that don’t seem fair, just or the will of a loving God?

Even in the midst of the death process Jesus Christ is teaching his followers & disciples. He desires for his followers to respond to life with…

I. An Understanding of the Bigger Picture of God’s Kingdom (vs. 26)

“When Jesus saw his mother standing there, and the disciple whom he loved (John) standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son…’”

A. When Jesus says this to his mother Mary, what does he mean?

• the primary meaning of the statement, other than the obvious mother-child relationship connection, was his telling her to see the greater purposes of God at work in this ugly event.
• Jesus wanted Mary to experience the beauty of his Kingdom: peace, joy, forgiveness, hope, encouragement, goodness, patience, self-control, etc.

• Remember: Mary lived life, from the time before Jesus was born, looking for the will of God to be expressed in her son’s life. Jesus was telling her that this moment was part of the package! In a strange way, it was a comfort to her.

B. Take this opportunity to consider the moments of your life that have been ugly & disappointing: they are part of a bigger picture that God wants to accomplish in your life. Think outside of the box: “God hasn’t intended this for misery but for my growth.” See James 1:2-4

• While we aren’t the Son of God, nor are we the sacrificial “lambs of God”, we are people who seek meaning & hope in life. We affirm the truth of Romans 8:28ff:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

II. A Willingness to Engage in the Bigger Responsibilities of God’s Kingdom (vs. 27)

“… and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

A. The second response Jesus examples is the response of willingness to serve God with our beings, even in the midst of confusion, fear & impending death. Jesus Christ was facing an imminent, torturous death, yet his thoughts are taken the benefits of his closest followers.

• Jesus, knowing that his earthly task was close to completion, asks his best friend to take care of his mother’s needs, not allowing her to be subject to life’s inequities.

• By asking this of John he sees someone who was willing to engage in the responsibilities of looking after a widow in need.

B. A relationship with God, as outlined in the Bible, doesn’t mean that I am only interested in how God serves my needs & desires. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ means that I will make my needs secondary to his Kingdom’s responsibilities, adopting them as my own.

• You may come to church, in the beginning, to see how God fits into life or how he might meet your immediate needs. Don’t be mistaken! Over time your thinking must change to become a follower/disciple of the Son of God, who possesses the greatest priorities & responsibilities.

Implications for Life

A. This interaction, between these three individuals, commenced the worst of acts humankind could ever devise. In spite of their intentions to destroy & denigrate, the pure & precious Lamb of God fulfills the divine agenda to present himself as the payment for our sin. Have you accepted that truth & received him as the payment for you?

B. As you approach this Easter season, are you facing disappointing or crushing circumstances? I am here to encourage you. Start to look at these events with the eyes & mind of Christ. If you do then you will find meaning & hope for life during this Easter season.