Daily Scripture:
John 2:12 Afterwards, he, his mother and brothers, and his talmidim went down to K’far-Nachum and stayed there a few days. (Complete Jewish Bible).
John 19:25 Nearby Yeshua’s execution stake stood his mother, his mother’s sister Miryam the wife of K’lofah, and Miryam from Magdala. 26 When Yeshua saw his mother and the talmid whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Mother, this is your son.” 27 Then he said to the talmid, “This is your mother.” And from that time on, the talmid took her into his own home. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions:
Through occasional tensions or misunderstandings, Jesus maintained his connection with his mother. The little-noticed sentence in John 2:12 showed a brief family visit amid Jesus' busy ministry. Though most of Jesus' bragging disciples (cf. Matthew 26:35(Matthew 26:35 “Even if I must die with you,” Kefa replied, “I will never disown you!” And all the talmidim said the same thing.)(Complete Jewish Bible)) fled when the Temple Guard arrested Jesus, his mother was lovingly, loyally at the cross. And even dying on the cross, Jesus was loyal to her. “When Jesus saw his mother, he could not but think of the days ahead. He could not commit her to the care of his brothers, for they did not believe in him yet (John 7:5).… So Jesus committed Mary to John’s care and John to Mary’s, so that they should comfort each other’s loneliness when he was gone. There is something infinitely moving in the fact that Jesus in the agony of the Cross, when the salvation of the world hung in the balance, thought of the loneliness of his mother in the days ahead.”*
- Some in Jesus' day tried to evade responsibility for helping their parents (especially mothers) by pledging to give their goods to God later. Jesus quoted the commandment about honoring parents as he sternly rebuked that kind of fake piety (cf. Matthew 15:3-9(Matthew 15:3 He answered, “Indeed, why do you break the command of God by your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[Matthew 15:4 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16] and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’[Matthew 15:4 Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9] 5 But you say, ‘If anyone says to his father or mother, “I have promised to give to God what I might have used to help you,” 6 then he is rid of his duty to honor his father or mother.’ Thus by your tradition you make null and void the word of God! 7 You hypocrites! Yesha‘yahu was right when he prophesied about you, 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. 9 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’”[Matthew 15:9 Isaiah 29:13)(Complete Jewish Bible). Even in extreme pain, he made sure a man he trusted would care for his mother. We live in a different time and culture, but Jesus' example can speak to us. Few of us in our death-denying society want to think about our mortality. We often put off making a will or other end of life provisions. Are you willing to conquer your discomfort for the sake of any who depend on you, or might need to care for you if you became ill? If you haven’t already, make plans that will help your family when you are going or gone. If you need help, caringinfo.org has quality resources.
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to prepare for whenever I face the possible end of my life so those who depend on me will have a lighter burden. Make me willing to play the role you played, or if needed the one John played. Amen.
Family Activity:
Research the stories of women in the Bible. With younger children, use a Bible story book and discover how many stories of women are told. With older kids, use a concordance or the Internet to explore the stories of women. You may also want to discover how many names of women are mentioned whose stories are not told. Read a few of the stories and describe the qualities of the women mentioned. Discuss what their stories teach us about God. Think of the women in your life today and compare Biblical women with them. Write a note to a woman who displays God-like qualities. Thank her for sharing her faith. As a family, commit to praying for the special women in your life.
* William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of John—Volume 2 Chapters 8–21 (Revised Edition). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, page 257.
Read today's Insight by Mike AshMike Ash is the worship leader and Director of Community Life at Resurrection's Blue Springs location.
My oldest son recently graduated from high school. This is quite an accomplishment, as he has autism as well as a few other challenges. There were years where we didn’t know how things were going to turn out for him in school.
As they announced his name and he confidently walked across the stage in his cap and gown to receive his diploma we let loose with some of the loudest and most obnoxious cheering in the auditorium!
He has taught us so much about love, patience and hope.
I’m not sure why, but no one likes to be told what to do. It seems the human heart is somewhat resistant to good advice. It might be someone telling us to work out, eat better, take our vitamins, read our Bible or whatever, but we simply don’t want someone telling us what to do. Until something drastic happens--then we realize that we should have listened to that good advice!
Having a humble and teachable heart is really important.
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. James 4:6
We don’t like to be told what to do, but we do want to be told who we are.
Jesus was really amazing at changing peoples' perception of themselves. He knew this powerful truth: people change when they understand who they really are.
We had to teach my son to say correct responses like please, thank you and you’re welcome. Every night as he was going to bed I would tell him “Good night” and then tell him to say “good night”. Then I would say “you’re my boy” and he would respond “you’re my dad.” We’ve done this nearly every night since he could talk.
He knows now that he is my son and I’m his dad.
Jesus told the disciples that we must love each other just as he loved us and that all people would know that we are his disciples if we love one another. He also told the disciples that they are no longer slaves but his friends. (John 15:15)
On the cross Jesus is still thinking of others as he addresses his mother and John. He could have told them what to do: “Mary and John, take care of each other.” But instead he says to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” It’s a subtle but powerful difference.
Sometimes we think it’s all about doing the right things. Like checking off a to do list for God. I believe that when Jesus calls the disciples his friends that includes us. What if we lived our lives like this? Joyful and confident that God loves us and likesus? What would happen if we passed this good news on to others, that they can be friends with God?
God, help me to see others the way you see them. Give me grace to love and courage to hope the best. Let your spirit and peace flow through me today. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen
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You might also like:
- Jesus’ allegiance to God went beyond family, if necessary
- Jesus related his love to a mother’s love
- Jesus reunited mothers and children
- Jesus welcomed children and their parents
- A glimpse of Jesus as a maturing child
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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