THE WORD OF AFFECTION
JOHN 19:25-27
Introduction:
This is the third word of the Lord Jesus Christ from the cross. The first was the Word of Forgiveness. Jesus had asked the God of Heaven to forgive those who were crucifying Him “for they know not what they do.”
The second word from the cross was the Word of Salvation. Here the Lord saves one of the two thieves who were crucified with Him.
Now this third thing spoken by our Lord is the Word of Affection as He sees His mother at the foot of the cross.
I. THE PROPHESY OF SIMEON FULFILLED–THE SUFFERING OF JESUS.
A. Simeon prophesied the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, Luke 2:34-35.
B. Mary suffered with the Lord.
1. How she suffered.
a. Not hysterical or demonstrative sorrow.
b. No show of feminine weakness.
c. No fainting or wild outcry.
d. She suffered in unbroken silence.
2. Mary stands with the Lord:
a. With silent courage.
b. Her reverence for the Lord kept her from disturbing His last moments.
II. THE PERFECT MAN SETS THE EXAMPLE.
John 19:26-27, “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
A. The Lord was ever mindful of the Law of Moses. Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
1. That law had not been repealed, but reiterated in the New Testament: Ephesians 6:1-2, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
a. To honor ones parents goes far beyond mere obedience.
b. It embraces love and affection, gratitude and respect.
c. It implies a debt that we owe which can never be fully paid.
2. The Lord Jesus here teaches the responsibility of caring for the parents.
a. To Mary He said, “Woman behold thy son.”
1) A title of respect among Orientals meaning “Lady.”
b. To his disciple, “Behold thy mother!” This disciple is assumed to be John.
B. The Lord fulfilled all of the Law.
1. Mary is entrusted into the hands of John, the disciple who understood the love of God the most, perhaps.
III. THE RETURN OF JOHN TO THE SAVIOR’S SIDE.
A. The disciples had fled at the arrest of Jesus, Matthew 26:56, “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.”
B. This may have been the most difficult part of the Lord’s ordeal, seeing those men leave.
1. By fleeing they exposed the Lord to the contempt and scoffs of His enemies, John 18:19, “The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.”
2. Jesus had warned the disciples of their approaching cowardice, Matthew 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”
3. All of the disciples affirmed their determination to stand with the Lord, Matthew 26:35, “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
C. They forsook Him because they were “offended” at Him, Matthew 26:31.
1. From the human side, they were ashamed to be in His company.
2. From the Divine side, this was due to the suspension of God’s preserving and upholding grace.
a. Jesus had to suffer alone. How could He bare the burden and heat of the day if not alone?
b. How would His sorrows be unmitigated if His disciples had not left Him? He would have been comforted by their presence; therefore, they were scattered as sheep. Matthew 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”
D. His disciples never left Him again.
1. John had returned while Jesus was still on the cross.
2. Peter was “converted” and became a great preacher and leader of the church.
3. Thomas, who had doubted the resurrection, believed after having seen the Lord face to face.
4. James became the pastor of the Jerusalem Church and later was martyred by Herod.
5. All of the Apostles became great men for God.
CONCLUSION
Here we see the marvelous blending of Christ’s perfection. Although suffering on the cross for the sins of mankind, He still remembers His mother. Showing that He could overcome the pain, He dealt with this important problem.
His wisdom is demonstrated in His choice of the Apostle John to care for His mother, fulfilling the Scripture, Isaiah 53:13, “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently.” John was known as the apostle of love. It was John who carried the good news of the resurrection to Mary.