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Sunday February 24, 2002

Text: John 19:25-27

Title: The Word of Affection

Intro: Our next word from the cross conjures up a tender moment in that
eventful day. Four women & a man edge their way up Mt. Calvary's slope until they were now standing beneath the center cross. They were Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary, the wife of Cleophas; Salome, John/s mother; Mary Magdalene; and the disciple John. Stunned and silenced by all that had bee enacted before their eyes, they stood brokenhearted, helpless, listening. Would the Master speak again? If so, not a word must be missed. We read that "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' 
In that word of affection the Savior lifted all human relationships out
of the disharmony and sordidness, into which sin had brought them, into
the purity, glory and wonder of what they can be and mean, through the
work of His cross. The relationship featured here is the filial one -
the love of a son for His mother. Observe the this word of affection...

I. The Son's confidence in his mother
This love was a
A. A sacrificing love - Luke 2:7
What a situation for Mary! From the moment of conception to the delivery of the child, here was a sacrificing love. Think of the
misunderstandings & misconceptions people had in her town. Think of the whisperings in her little village! What human being could comprehend this mystery? Mary carried it bravely! Reflect back to that tender scene with the cattle and sheep in the stable with Mary & Joseph. She wrapped Jesus up in pieces of cloth & laid him in the manger. Mary sacrificed for Jesus!

B. A sheltering love - Matthew 2:13
Away in Egypt, cut off from home and loved ones, Mary sheltered that
little life from those who were seeking to destroy Him. Then they came
back to Nazareth, and we see something of

C. A submitting love - John 2:3,4
May sound like a rebuke. She stood back and in submissiveness to the
authority of her Son, now anointed Servant. She knew He could and would do something.
Later at the cross hers was

D. A suffering love 19:25
Those who love most deeply suffer most intensely.
Illus.. A woman was calling on a friend whose children were brought in.
The visitor said, "Oh, I'd give my life to have two such children." The
mother replied , "That's exactly what it costs.
Can we imagine what this brave, heartbroken, yet controlled woman suffered while she stood at the base of that cross?


II. The Son's courtesy to his mother
The highest courtesy is embodied in this term "woman", or "lady". 3 times in the Gospels He addresses His mother and in each case there is a courtesy, which breathes obedience, honor and respect.

A. Courtesy of an approved Son -Luke 2:49
At the age of 12, he had become a "son of the law". Jesus had become lost. They found him in the temple with the doctors of the law. He was about His Father's business. Then He went back with them to Nazareth (50-52)

B. Courtesy of an anointed Servant - John 2:4
It is now 18 years later - Jesus is 30.
Referred to as the age of responsibility."
He stood on the banks of the Jordan, the heavens opened, God spoke,
"this is my beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17


Most likely Mary was there. She understood what this meant. He was no
longer the little "Jesus boy," but God's anointed Servant. Later at the
wedding when there was a shortage of wine, she confidently came to Jesus
and put the situation before Him. Jesus basically said, "Lady, leave
that to me." She went back to the servants and told them to be ready to
do whatever He told them to do.

C. Courtesy of an appointed Savior - 19:26-27
Can we understand the level of suffering Mary endured? She stood by the cross and looked at that face.. blood trickling down from His thorn crowned brow and His wounded hands and feet. She knew that He was indeed the Savior of the world.
In the middle of this agony He looked down and said, "Lady, there is your son!" And to His disciple he said, "John behold your mother!" Oh, the courtesy and thoughtfulness!

III. The Son's care of his mother

A. The son's selflessness - vs 26 "Jesus saw..."
Suffering can be selfish. People can draw attention to themselves through it. But not so with Jesus. All of His words were for others.
There he was walking along the Via Dolorosa bleeding from head & back, bowed down with the weight of the cross. As the women cried, Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." His thoughts were for them.
Then later His prayer for those who crucified Him - Father, forgive them...
His words to the repentant thief - "be with me in paradise." So we see selflessness.

B. The son's thoughtfulness vs. 26 "Woman, behold your son..."
Who did Jesus refer to? Not his brothers, but the apostle John. He had proved himself because of his love.
John was the first disciple to turn back & stand at the cross. He had proved himself because of his loyalty.

C. The son's wretchedness - vs 26 "Woman behold..."
Jesus was breaking the painful truth. - There would be no more mother-son relationship.
There was another transition. Now Jesus was no longer the anointed servant, but He became the appointed Savior. Never again could he say mother. Never again could she say Son.
Jesus was now moving into another realm.
So Mary looked at Jesus for the last time in a natural union. After Pentecost, there would be a mystical union, and she would be a humble disciple.

Conclusion:
The cross is where human relationships change.
1. At the cross our relationships are sanctified (holy - set apart)
2. At the cross our relationships are surrendered. (submitting, yielding
our lives)
3. At the cross our relationships are satisfied. (finding contentment)


Conclusion:
The cross is where human relationships are sanctified and also surrendered, for there comes a time perhaps when one is called to the mission field, when this has to take place. In an infinite sense, it happened at Calvary; in a relative sense, as one is called to cut relationships for the Master. But it is at the cross that relationships are finally satisfied. In the last analysis, Mary would not have had it any other way. Only when our relationships converge at the cross are they sanctified, surrendered, and truly satisfied.

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