Jesus, the family man

Read: John 19:25-27

Before we recap this Sunday’s sermon, here is a short review of everything we’ve learnt in the past three weeks: 

Jesus’ first words from the cross were a prayer as He prayed for those who were putting him to death. It showed his compassion and pity. Jesus’ second words were addressed to the criminal next to him on the cross. He gave words of hope to someone who had only just seen his sin and who had put his trust in Jesus. Jesus’ next words narrow his focus even further because here he spoke to his mother. 

I believe we need to spend our lives, even to the last breath, taking care of family and making sure, if at all possible, we are right with them. The last tender words of Jesus teaches us how.

Honour your family selflessly

Even as Jesus was facing physical death and separation from His Heavenly Father, He was thinking about others, specifically his mother, Mary. Jesus addressed Mary, not by the name “mother”, but by the word “woman.” In the Greek translation, this word is one of honour. Jesus intentionally used this word to refer to Mary because as a woman who carried this stigma of being dishonourable, Jesus needed to remind her of who she really was in the eyes of God. Take a great lesson from what Jesus just did on the cross. Take every opportunity to love those who God has placed in your family. Make sure you love them before you leave them or before they leave you.

Leave your family thoughtfully

We may never know when we leave this earth. In Jewish thought, any instruction of a dying man had the same legal force as if it was written on a piece of paper. In other words, Jesus was writing out His last will and testament with these final words. He left his mom very thoughtfully in the hands of John, the beloved disciple (who was assume is Jesus’ cousin). Jesus wanted to assure that His mother was going to be taken care of and looked after by someone he trusted. 

Lead your family spiritually

Do you know why John accepted this responsibility and took on this assignment without one word of complaint and in fact, obviously doing it willingly and gladly? Because Jesus had spent three years leading him spiritually, showing him how to live a sacrificial life that always puts others first. But if John wasn’t really Mary’s family, how does it fit? There was a time in Jesus’ ministry where amid a great crowd someone pushed into the home where they gathered and said to Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” But this was His response:

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!” (Mark 3:33-34, NIV)

You see, faith ties are just as great, if not greater than family ties. Heavenly ties are even greater than earthly ties. John was family.

Are your parents still living? How is your relationship with them? Do you make room in your schedule for them? Don't ever grow too old or get too busy to spend time with your family, to learn from them, to make sure they know how much you love and respect them despite what has happened in the past. God will honour you if you will honour your parents. 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for a great example that Jesus has set for me ofnhow to honour my parents and family. Thank you for putting me in my family that I have now. Forgive me for the times I take them for granted or even dishonour them. Holy Spirit, would you help me to honour our family and lead our family to You?

In Jesus’ name, 
Amen.