Faithfulness

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,”  and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.  John 19:25-27

One of our final glimpses of Mary comes as she stands near the cross.We see Mary’s faithfulness to her son, Jesus, as she stands and watches as he is crucified.We also see the faithfulness of friends as they stood with Mary and the faithfulness of Jesus as he cared for his mother.

A FAITHFUL MOTHER

The first one mentioned standing near the cross as Jesus was crucified is Mary, his mother.Mary stood near the cross, watching what no mother ever wants to experience - the death of a child.She must have stood there and wondered what she could do, was there anything she could have done differently and how could she possible help her son.

Mary was a mother.She taught this boy about the Jewish faith, she encouraged him, she laughed and played with him.She watched as he began his ministry and she saw how his own brothers treated him.She saw him change the lives of so many people.She watched the Jewish leaders become angry at his teaching and his popularity.

Mary was a mother who wanted to protect her son.As Jesus hung on the cross she knew she could not protect him, but she never left him.She suffered great loss as her soul was pierced, and through it all she was a faithful mother.

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

Mary’s friends and followers of Jesus stood next to her near the cross.This group of women walked with Jesus, served Him, and learned from Him.They were with Him in good times and they refused to leave in the most difficult of times.These women stood near the cross and watched as the nails were driven into Jesus’ hands.They watched as the cross was lifted up and Jesus began to struggle to breath.They watched as blood poured from his body.Their faithfulness to Jesus would not allow them to leave.

These faithful women stood strong in support of Mary as she watched her son mocked, spat upon, ridiculed and ultimately crucified. Mary needed these friends as she endured her darkest days.

A FAITHFUL SON

Mary also received the love and care from her faithful son.“Woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, here is your mother.”We don’t know exactly why, but Mary needed a caregiver.Mary had other children, but for some reason she needed someone to care for her and Jesus provided that for her.In the midst of the pain and suffering, with death so near, Jesus was faithful to his mother. 

In Jesus’ faithfulness to Mary, we see God’s faithfulness to us.Psalm 36:5 says, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”God’s faithfulness to us is endless, it knows no boundaries. 

As we begin a new year, take some time to think about faithful friends, faithful mothers and a faithful son.Set out this new year to be a faithful friend who is there for your friends in good times and in difficult times.Surround yourself with faithful friends who will be with you when you need them the most. We all need faithful friends to walk beside us on this journey.

Just as Mary was faithful to her son, be faithful to your children.Don’t allow anything to separate you from your children.If you are estranged from your child, seek them out, forgive them and stand close to them no matter what they are going through.

And as a follow of Christ, know that he loves you and cares for you just as he loved his mother.His faithfulness to us is immeasurable and constant.

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother…”

Dana Grubb San Antonio, TX Northside Church of Christ