Jesus’ statement “Woman, behold your son” was directed at His mother Mary while He was dying on the cross. This simple yet profound statement revealed key truths about Jesus’ relationship with His mother and the disciples He was leaving behind.
To understand the meaning behind these words, we must look at the context. In John 19:25-27 we read: “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
Jesus was nearing death on the cross. As He suffered, His mother and a few of His closest followers stood nearby, keeping vigil. Despite His intense physical pain, Jesus’ concern was for the wellbeing of His mother after He was gone. He wanted to ensure she would be cared for once He returned to the Father.
By calling Mary “Woman,” Jesus was not being disrespectful. Rather, He was distinguishing their relationship as mother and son from their spiritual roles. As her physical Son, Jesus honored Mary. But as the Son of God, Jesus’ ministry transcended earthly ties.
Next, Jesus instructed Mary to “behold your son.” He was referring to John, the beloved disciple. Jesus was essentially asking Mary to treat John like her own son, taking him into her care as part of her family. This showed Jesus’ selfless love and forethought for His mother’s future needs.
At the same time, Jesus told John to “behold your mother.” By taking Mary into his home, John was to treat her with the honor, love, and respect due to a mother. This exemplified how the church family was to look after one another as beloved brothers and sisters.
In this intimate moment, Jesus redefined earthly relationships in light of eternal spiritual ties. His true family were those who did the will of God (Matthew 12:50). The close bond between Mary and John likely helped sustain them as they mourned Christ’s death and later rejoiced in His resurrection.
Additionally, by entrusting Mary to John, Jesus provided a loving provision for her after His death. Mary would be embraced into a caring community beyond her biological family. This illustrates the beauty of the body of Christ caring for one another as family.
In summary, when Jesus said “Woman, behold your son,” He was:
- Distinguishing their earthly and spiritual roles
- Providing for His mother’s care after His death
- Redefining spiritual family as all who do God’s will
- Setting an example of selfless love for others
Jesus as the suffering servant
This scene also reminds us of Jesus’ identity as the suffering servant. Throughout His ministry, Jesus repeatedly foretold of His death and resurrection. Now His words were coming to pass. By willingly giving His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), Jesus fulfilled His mission as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
Even in His darkest hour of sorrow and pain, Jesus thought of others before Himself. He lived out perfect love through self-sacrifice. As His followers, we are called to walk in the same kind of radical love, serving one another in humility (John 13:34-35).
Jesus’ suffering on the cross purchased our redemption. He willingly endured unfathomable agony out of love for us. As Isaiah 53:5 prophesied about the Messiah, “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Let us never take lightly what it cost Him.
Mary’s example of faithful devotion
Mary’s presence at the cross also sets an example for believers. She witnessed her Son being tortured and murdered in one of the most brutal forms of execution ever devised. As a mother, surely her heart was pierced with grief. Yet she did not turn away or retreat. She remained steadfast, enduring the agony with Jesus.
Mary’s devotion inspires us to remain faithful through suffering. Her steadfast trust exemplifies what it means to be a disciple even in difficult circumstances. Mary walked with Jesus all the way to the cross. Her perseverance reminds us to stand by fellow believers in their trials and cling to hope in God.
As she beholds her suffering Savior, Mary’s heart undoubtedly echoed the words of the prophet Habakkuk: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Mary’s hope was not in circumstances but in the faithful God who redeems all things. Like Mary, we can rejoice in the midst of sorrow when we fix our eyes on Christ. He will turn our weeping into gladness with the joy of His resurrection.
Jesus cares for His people
This scene at the cross also reveals how Jesus cares for His people. Even when facing death, Jesus’ concerns were not for Himself but for those He loved. He made provision for Mary’s care. He strengthened John to lead the early church. Jesus loves His own to the very end (John 13:1).
Similarly, the exalted Christ intercedes for us before the Father (Romans 8:34). Hebrews 4:15 assures us that we have a high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. He lives to make intercession for the saints according to God’s will. What comfort to know our Lord understands our struggles and lifts us up in prayer!
Jesus’ ultimate act of provision was giving His life to make us part of God’s family. John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Through faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s household as His beloved sons and daughters.
This means we belong to the family of heaven. No matter what happens on earth, we have an unshakeable eternal home. The church is now our spiritual family, called to reflect the unity and love of the Trinity. What hope and healing this brings!
Jesus reconciles relationships
As Jesus draws Mary and John together into new spiritual bonds, He also reconciles broken relationships. His sacrifice frees us from sin’s power and mends what was torn apart.
Isaiah prophesied that through the Messiah’s life, “many shall be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11). Where sin drives us apart, Jesus draws us together through the healing balm of His blood. Walls of hostility are torn down in Christ (Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus reconciles us in our most important relationship – with God the Father. Sin had severed our connection, but Jesus’ death opened the way to redemption. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Hallelujah, we can now approach the throne of grace with confidence because of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 4:16).
Not only are we reconciled to the Father, we are also reconciled to one another. Jesus commands us to live at peace with each other, “so far as it depends on you” (Romans 12:18). As those shown mercy, we walk in grace to relationships fractured by conflict (Matthew 18:21-35).
God’s purpose is to reconcile all things to Himself in Christ, “making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20). While we await the fullness of this promise, we walk in the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). In our words and deeds, we aim to restore what was broken and reflect God’s kingdom of shalom.
A new community emerges
In the ragtag group beneath the cross – women, fishermen, young and old – a new community emerges. As Jesus redefines relationships around Himself, the primary marker of spiritual kinship becomes those who do the will of God. “…whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50). Obedience matters more than outward status.
Followers of Jesus are called together by sacrificial love, not social labels. They are bound by their shared life in Christ. This motley crew beneath the cross will soon turn the world upside down through their bold witness (Acts 17:6). Empowered by the Spirit, they will take the gospel across nations, cultures, and ethnicities in fulfillment of Jesus’ command (Acts 1:8).
The diverse, multiethnic family of God continues to grow as people from every tongue and tribe are grafted in through faith (Romans 11:13-24). Jesus prayed this spiritual kinship would be a witness to the world of the Father’s love (John 17:20-23). When those who have nothing in common come together in Christ, it testifies to God’s unifying power.
This ragtag band beneath the cross was just the beginning. The family of redemption started there continues to expand as the Spirit moves across the earth, birthing new life. We have the privilege of participating in this kingdom community as fellow citizens and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19).
Jesus cares for outcasts
This ragtag group also reminds us that Jesus embraces those on the margins. Among Jesus’ inner circle, we find women, fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and other unlikely candidates. Jesus’ ministry reached prodigals, prostitutes, lepers, Samaritans, and all who were devalued by society. His love knew no bounds.
The church is called to follow Christ’s example by honoring the dignity of all people. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. As those shown lavish grace, we are to extend that same grace to others without partiality (James 2:1-9). Loving God and neighbor sums up Christ’s law (Matthew 22:37-40). The “neighbor” always includes the outsider and those deemed unworthy by the world’s standards.
Jesus specializes in lifting up those the world casts down. The last become first in God’s upside-down kingdom. The Master who washed His disciples feet calls us to the same humble service. “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:15).
Who occupies the margins in our society? The unborn, elderly, disabled, poor, refugees, orphaned, addicted, mentally ill, imprisoned, abused…. The church must stand for the dignity and flourishing of all people, just as our Savior did. We must care for “the least of these” as we would Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:31-46).
New bonds in Christ’s body
Mary and John show how Jesus forms new spiritual bonds as His body, the church. Think of how startling it would have been for Mary to live as John’s mother after Jesus’ death. Their relationship transcended natural categories now centered on Christ.
This foreshadowed the kind of close fellowship found in the early church: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common…There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (Acts 4:32-35).
They shared life and possessions in radical, counter-cultural community. In Christ, they experienced the spiritual kinship described in Romans 12:10,13: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor…Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Through good deeds and generosity, the church expressed their shared love.
Do our lives intertwine so closely with fellow believers? We must nurture these spiritual bonds beyond Sunday morning. Gathering in homes, sharing practical needs, praying and rejoicing together in all circumstances – this is biblical community. As we behold new brothers and sisters in Christ, we walk out Jesus’ call to radical, God-glorifying love.
Death could not conquer Christ
Why did Jesus’ words from the cross matter, when He was dying before their eyes? Simply because death could not conquer Him! On the third day, the tomb would stand empty. The grave did not silence His voice.
Jesus submitted Himself to earthly pain, loss and death in order to destroy its eternal power. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Through His sacrifice, Jesus has freed us from slavery to death’s fear. His resurrection proves that death does not get the final word over those who are in Christ. We may grieve, but not without hope. One day God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes as death and sorrow flee away (Revelation 21:4). We cling to this future grace, even when the present feels dark.
As followers of the risen Lord, we do not need to fear death. Jesus holds the keys to Death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). For those in Christ, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord in paradise (2 Corinthians 5:8). His resurrection guarantees that nothing can separate us from His eternal love (Romans 8:38-39). We have hope beyond the grave through our conquering King!
A model for gospel community
Mary, John and the others show us what it means to live as gospel community. United by sacrificial love, they supported one another through grief. They modeled true servanthood that esteems others higher than self (Philippians 2:3-4). Their common bond and calling in Christ compelled them to radical fellowship and hospitality.
Do we reflect these same qualities in our church communities? Or do we remain isolated, focused on personal preferences? Pursuing authentic community requires humbly considering others’ needs ahead of our own. It means welcoming the outsider, serving the overlooked, and loving the unlovely. This kind of fellowship testifies to the unifying power of the gospel as nothing else can.
Our relationships should communicate the good news of Christ’s love to the watching world. Jesus said our love for one another would be the evidence that distinguishes us as His disciples (John 13:34-35). As we love across earthly divisions, we manifest His kingdom to those still trapped in darkness. What an urgent calling for every local church!
May the Lord give us wisdom to live as kingdom community. Let us honor Christ and serve one another sacrificially as beloved brothers and sisters in Him.
Key points:
- By entrusting Mary to John’s care, Jesus made loving provision for her as part of His spiritual family.
- Mary’s faithful presence at the cross exemplifies persevering even through deep sorrow.
- Jesus’ love for others shone through even in His darkest hour.
- Christ’s sacrifice reconciles broken relationships and forms a new community.
- This ragtag group beneath the cross would soon turn the world upside down.
- The diversity of this group reminds us that Jesus welcomed outsiders.
- Mary and John modeled the radical fellowship found in biblical community.
- Jesus’ victory over death gave His followers hope beyond the grave.
- May our relationships reflect gospel unity to an watching world.