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We do not suffer in isolation. When (not if…) we suffer others around us are affected. When those who are close to us suffer, we share in that suffering even if it is to a small degree. As Jesus suffered on the cross, the Scripture pulls the camera back to widen the angle of the setting. There we see Mary, the mother of Jesus, standing at the foot of the cross. One can only assume that she is considering what will happen to her once Christ is gone. It is at that moment that Jesus made provision for her future. He commended her into the care of the apostle John, who would from that moment going forward take responsibility for her care and well being.
Do you ever think about what the future will bring? Are you ever concerned about who will take care of you? Do you wonder if God will take care of your future? The third word from the cross that Jesus spoke is found in John 19:25-27:
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is you mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (NLT)
I am impressed that Jesus was aware of Mary’s anxiety concerning her future. Certainly the majority of the disciples were nervous about what would happen to them, for the Scripture tells us that they were quivering with fear behind locked doors. Though Mary didn’t say a word, Jesus could see into her heart and sense the fear that gripped her. Jesus assumed responsibility for her concerns. As the eldest son of a widow it was his job to care for her. Even though he had his hands full at the moment, he made provision for her immediate care through the apostle John. The words Jesus spoke fall awkwardly on our ears because they were the words of formal, legal adoption. Jesus did more than make quick arrangements. He formally made sure that Mary would be cared for as long as she lived.
Will God take care of our future? Tomorrow I’ll post some thoughts on what the future looks like from God’s perspective.
Do you ever think about what the future will bring? Are you ever concerned about who will take care of you? Do you wonder if God will take care of your future? The third word from the cross that Jesus spoke is found in John 19:25-27:
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is you mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (NLT)
I am impressed that Jesus was aware of Mary’s anxiety concerning her future. Certainly the majority of the disciples were nervous about what would happen to them, for the Scripture tells us that they were quivering with fear behind locked doors. Though Mary didn’t say a word, Jesus could see into her heart and sense the fear that gripped her. Jesus assumed responsibility for her concerns. As the eldest son of a widow it was his job to care for her. Even though he had his hands full at the moment, he made provision for her immediate care through the apostle John. The words Jesus spoke fall awkwardly on our ears because they were the words of formal, legal adoption. Jesus did more than make quick arrangements. He formally made sure that Mary would be cared for as long as she lived.
Will God take care of our future? Tomorrow I’ll post some thoughts on what the future looks like from God’s perspective.
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