Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility “Woman, behold your son! … Behold Your Mother! Jn 19:25-27

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Jn 19:25 “They were not deterred by the fury of the enemy nor the horror of the sight. They could not rescue Him nor relieve him, yet they attended him.” Matthew Henry, p “Surely the most pathetic scene in history- the crucifixion of Jesus before the eyes of his own mother” Love Speaks from the Cross, p. 28.

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Background of Mother-Son Lk 1:26-38 Lk 2:13-19 Lk 2:25-38 Lk 2:41-51 Jn 2:1-5; cp Jn 7:5

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Jesus’ Teaching about Family Lk 8:19-21 Mt 10:37 Mt 15:3-6

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Jn 19:26-27 Jesus made His mother’s welfare one of His last cares, even on the cross, and even when making atonement for the sins of the world. Jesus, in His dying words, addressed His mother and her future needs. Carrying the responsibility of the entire world on His shoulders, He did not fail to recognize His responsibility to His mother!

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility In Jewish society the care for one’s mother, after the death of the father, was the responsibility of the firstborn son. Apparently, Jesus’ “father” was dead. Though he is referenced in Jesus’ ministry he is never mentioned as present. Joseph’s absence is especially noticed in Mk 6:3. But Jesus did not pass off the responsibility to his physical brothers who at that time did not believe and were not at the foot of the cross- but to the faithful disciple John (the disciple whom Jesus loved- see Jn 21:20, 24) who was truly His “brother”, who “heard the word of God and did it”.

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Tradition says that Mary continued to live with John in Judea until the time of her death which occurred about 15 years after the death of Christ.

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility How perfectly Jesus’ action of love serves as an example of carrying out the instruction later to be revealed by Jesus through the Holy Spirit- “They must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.” (1 Tim 5:4) As Jesus showed us, love fulfils responsibility.

Love Speaks from the Cross #3: Love’s Responsibility Woman, Behold Your Son Woman, behold your son; dear mother whom I love, My life is through; As you have cared for Me, now will he care for you; O may he in My place a son be true. Behold your mother, son; disciple whom I love, I make request; Take mother in your home, take care of all her needs, And for Me comfort her and give her rest. Brother, care for your own, who sacrificed for you, gladly repay; Follow your Savior’s lead, their cry for mercy heed; With love within your heart, help day by day. Tune: My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Won’t you become a part of the family of God?