Jesus Last Words for His Mother
Tony R. Nester
John 19:25-27
Jesus was not easy to mother. There is not one Gospel story of Mary and Jesus that portrays Mary having an easy time of it.
As a young teen age girl, she is shocked and bewildered to hear the angel's announcement that she will bear a son and that this son will be the Savior. (Luke1:29)
When Jesus is twelve years old Joseph and Mary take him on a visit to Jerusalem. Jesus ends up leaving his parents who become frantic when they discover he is lost. They back track to the City and find him in the Temple. Instead of receiving an apology from their son, Jesus gently chides them by saying, ''Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'''' (Luke 2:49 NRSV)
When Jesus has begun his public ministry reports of him circulate back to his family. They are astounded at the claims he is making for himself. His family, (we think it would be Mary and his brothers) go to find him. Mark's Gospel records: ''When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ''He has gone out of his mind.'''' (Mark 3:21 NRSV) Matthew tells the story of how one day Mary and Jesus brothers decide they want to have some time with Jesus by themselves. But when Jesus is told that his family wants to see him, he says:
''Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?'' {49} And pointing to his disciples, he said, ''Here are my mother and my brothers! {50} For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'''' (Matthew 12:46-50 NRSV).
That would not have been easy for a mother to hear -- that her claim to be family to Jesus was no greater than the claim of anyone who does the will of God.
Mary had reason to question just how much she mattered to Jesus. Did he think of her? Did he care about her? Perhaps she added these concerns to all those things she pondered in her heart.
And then, finally, we see Mary at the cross w ...
Tony R. Nester
John 19:25-27
Jesus was not easy to mother. There is not one Gospel story of Mary and Jesus that portrays Mary having an easy time of it.
As a young teen age girl, she is shocked and bewildered to hear the angel's announcement that she will bear a son and that this son will be the Savior. (Luke1:29)
When Jesus is twelve years old Joseph and Mary take him on a visit to Jerusalem. Jesus ends up leaving his parents who become frantic when they discover he is lost. They back track to the City and find him in the Temple. Instead of receiving an apology from their son, Jesus gently chides them by saying, ''Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'''' (Luke 2:49 NRSV)
When Jesus has begun his public ministry reports of him circulate back to his family. They are astounded at the claims he is making for himself. His family, (we think it would be Mary and his brothers) go to find him. Mark's Gospel records: ''When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ''He has gone out of his mind.'''' (Mark 3:21 NRSV) Matthew tells the story of how one day Mary and Jesus brothers decide they want to have some time with Jesus by themselves. But when Jesus is told that his family wants to see him, he says:
''Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?'' {49} And pointing to his disciples, he said, ''Here are my mother and my brothers! {50} For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'''' (Matthew 12:46-50 NRSV).
That would not have been easy for a mother to hear -- that her claim to be family to Jesus was no greater than the claim of anyone who does the will of God.
Mary had reason to question just how much she mattered to Jesus. Did he think of her? Did he care about her? Perhaps she added these concerns to all those things she pondered in her heart.
And then, finally, we see Mary at the cross w ...
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