While Dying On The Cross Jesus Said- John Chapter 19

When someone is dying, they tend to share what is most important to them. Family is often a chief concern for those who are dying. I have witnessed that myself as I visited people in hospice care.

While Jesus was dying on the cross, he looked down at his earthly mother Mary and his disciple John and said:

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.

In that time and culture, a widow was taken care of by her oldest son who in this case was Jesus. Normally if something happened to that son, she would go live with the next oldest son, so why did Jesus give her over to the care of his disciple John?

In John chapter 7 we read

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

This would have been about six months before Jesus was crucified. His own brothers mocked him. For Mary to be a part of the soon to be fledgling church, she would need to taken care of by someone who believed in Jesus. Also Jesus knew that John would outlive James his half brother who eventually came to faith. We have no record of his other half brothers or sisters coming to faith.

So Jesus while dying and in excruciating pain, made sure Mary was taken care of.

From Luke Chapter 23 we read about the criminal who came to faith in Jesus while the criminal himself was dying on a cross next to Jesus.

 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus assured the criminal that he would be in heaven with Jesus. The criminal had no time to try to earn his way there, no time to do good works. It was only by faith in Jesus.

In John 19, we read what Jesus said when he died.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

It is finished. Jesus was not referring to his suffering. He was referring to his mission which was to die for our sins, so we could be forgiven and receive eternal life. Mission Accomplished.

So while dying and in terrible pain, Jesus had the presence of mind to take care of Mary, forgave a criminal dying next to him, and then let the world know he accomplished what he came to do.

Jesus loves us, loves you, so much that he left heaven to come to earth as a human baby to become our Savior. The criminal dying next to him was granted forgiveness and eternal life, which shows that no matter how guilty we are or feel, we too can receive forgiveness.

Is Jesus someone you want to follow?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.