Compassion At the Cross of Christ

Compassion At the Cross of Christ (John 19:23-27)

John 19:23-27, “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

During the “global pandemic”, we experienced the pain of separation from family and friends due to COVID restrictions. Due to these government mandates, many people were left feeling alone, forgotten, and uncared for. But in today’s verses from John 19, we discover a very powerful lesson that speaks to this challenge in our lives. Though Jesus died for the world, He also cares deeply for us. The apostle John is the only Gospel writer who records this next scene at the cross. Even while dying on a cross Jesus thought of others.

In John 19:25, these four women [Jesus’s mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene, who “stood by the cross of Jesus”] contrast with the four Roman soldiers who divided Jesus’ garments (John 19:23-24). We also find that Jesus’ disciples were not present at the cross (Matthew 26:56, 75), except for the apostle John, the disciple “whom He loved” (John 19:26). Their promise to remain faithful to Christ even in death was soon abandoned when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:35) which leads me to admire the faithfulness of these women all the more.

Exactly who were these women?

1. John mentions Jesus’ “mother” first. None of the other gospel writers refer to Mary in their accounts of the cross. Imagine the ache in her heart as she watched her Son struggle in pain on the cross. No mother wants to see her child suffer such agony. The agony of Jesus’ mother fulfilled a prophecy (Luke 2:35).

2. John also tells us that the “sister” of Jesus’ mother is present as well. We learn from Mark that her name is “Salome,” the wife of Zebedee and the apostle John’s mother (Mark 15:40).

3. Mary the wife of Clopas, the mother of James the Less and of Joses (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40), the husband of Jesus’ mother.

4. “Mary Magdalene,” the woman from whom Jesus “had cast seven demons” (Mark 16:9).

​So we have biological and spiritual family grieving as they watch Jesus suffer. They had been with Jesus in the joys of life and now they desired to be with Him in the pain of death. These faithful friends remained with Jesus when He needed them the most. “We all need – and need to be – friends like this.”
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What happens next is amazing considering how agonizing suffering usually causes the sufferer to draw within to preserve his own life. But Jesus is no ordinary Person. Even when He in severe pain, He was still thinking of others. When Jesus “saw His mother”, He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son!” It is interesting that Jesus never addresses Mary as His mother. He refers to her as “Woman” here and at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:4). Perhaps, it is because Jesus is reminding her that He is her Saviour and not merely her Son?

Even as Jesus hung dying on a cross, He fulfilled His obligation to care for His widowed mother (Exodus 20:12). God wants the church to support widows who are in genuine need, who have no family support, and who serve God and His people with prayers and a life that is above reproach (I Timothy 5:3-8).

This scene at the cross teaches us that while Jesus died for the world, He still remembers the individual. As He was dying on the cross, Jesus looked at the individuals and prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. ” (Luke 23:34). While Jesus was dying for billions of people, He looked at the thief beside Him who was suffering and said, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). As Christ hung dying an excruciatingly painful death, He looked at His mother and His beloved disciple and said, “Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” Christ is still the same today. He loves the world, but He also cares about me. He cares about my individual needs. He cares about my life. And He gives me the encouragement that I need.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we live in such an impersonal world where it is easy to feel all alone and forgotten. Thank You for reminding me today that You not only died for the world, but You also care about the individual. You are such an amazing Saviour to show such great compassion to Your mother as You agonized on the cross. You knew You would be leaving her to return to Heaven, so You provided another son to take care of her. Thank You for caring about every aspect of my life and those who are close to me. Use me, I pray, to be Your voice of compassion and love especially to those who are broken and all alone. In Your mighty name I pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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