DEAR WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON | Northstar Church

‘Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), 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 your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” – John 19:25-27.

When you look at the final words of Jesus from the cross, you encounter some of the participants who were at Golgotha on that fateful day. They are a part of the story of understanding Jesus’ final words.

In John 19:25-27, John says that three women were with Jesus at the cross. John tells us that they were Jesus’ mother, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. As we read through this list, we immediately focus on Jesus’ mother, Mary. You have to wonder what Mary must have felt in those hours that Jesus hung on the cross. It had to be a mother’s worst nightmare. It must have been a ghastly, horrible thing for her to see. She had brought Him into the world and reared Him from childhood. And now, as His bleeding form hung helplessly on the cross, all she could do was watch as His life slip away.

Compassion and love move Jesus to speak his third final word from the cross. Jesus expresses his compassion and love for Mary with the words we see spoken to her and to the disciple He loved (John). He says to Mary, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother.” Understanding Jesus’ compassion for His mother and the reasoning for these words will allow us to see the compassion and love Jesus has for us.

Jesus’ words are something like a will expressed from the cross. He wants to ensure Mary is cared for and protected after His death. His pain from the cross was not too much to care about the needs of others, especially Mary, at this moment. His love for His mother and making sure she was cared for was more important than His own pain.

The Bible does not tell us but you can imagine that Mary walked away from Calvary in the grip of the strong, loving arm of John, You can imagine that she was no longer afraid. God does the same thing for each of us through Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us, “Give me your life, for if you give me your life, I will take care of you. No matter what battle you may have to fight, you cannot lose. Though bleeding, you will not be broken. Though weary, you will not be weak. Trials will not defeat you.

The same compassion for Mary that moved Jesus to action is apparent when we see how this type of care and compassion applies to how we are called to relate to each other today. These words let us know that family and church are places of community, friendship, and love where we are there for one another.

It’s all about love.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think Mary is feeling while she is waiting at the cross for Jesus to die?
What does this third word teach us about Jesus?