Selfless Love

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son…” 
John 19:25-26 (NIV) 

Have you ever wondered what you would think about in your final hours?  

 Facing mortality causes each of us to think differently. But Jesus, showing us what it looks like to be truly human, modeled something startling—even as He faced a grueling death, He thought of others. 

Jesus began by asking God to forgive His persecutors, who deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of God’s Law. Then, Jesus turned all His attention to someone who knew Him like no other—His mother.  

No mother in history ever had a son like Mary did. Jesus was about to walk through the valley of the shadow of death without even one angel to go with Him. He was about to enter unspeakable darkness. Yet He took one last opportunity to ensure the care of His mother before He died.  

Hers was the face He first saw from where He lay in a manger, and hers was one of the last faces He saw at the cross. How could Jesus look into a teeming mob filled with jeers, cursing, and mocking and pick out His mom? 

Jesus’ heart ached as He watched Mary’s grief. His eyes found hers, and Jesus looked at John, one of His devoted disciples. Barely able to speak, He struggled to say these words to His mother, “Woman, here is your son…” (John 19:26, NIV).  

In this final act, Jesus communicated to His mother: “Don’t worry about the future. I took care of you while I was alive. John is going to take care of you after I am gone.” Even though Jesus was dying as her Savior, He didn’t forget that while living, He was her Son. Jesus departed to prepare an eternal, heavenly home for His mother and also provided an earthly home for her before He died. 

In His greatest agony, He still loved His family selflessly. Let Jesus’ heart for His mother deepen your heart for those you care about. Allow His selfless love to flow through you. You may not know the time you have remaining, but you do know the kind of person Jesus helps you become in the time you have.  

 Open your heart. Let the Holy Spirit teach you ways to honor your family. As you do, you honor Him.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for my family. Give me the grace to honor my parents as You honored Your earthly parents, Jesus. And even in discord or frustration, help me love them selflessly and never take them for granted. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.