May 9
Bible Reading: John 19:25-30
John 19:26-27, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’”
My mom, Marlene, died 21 years ago after a months-long battle with an aggressive cancer. She died trusting Jesus, for which I’m extremely grateful. Before she died, she had some last words for all us children and for her grandchildren as well. We rightly count the last words of a person as precious because pending death refines one’s words, reflecting their character and deepest thoughts.
Jesus shared some last words with us all, in what is commonly referred to as His “seven sayings from the cross.” Here in John chapter 19, we find three “sayings” recorded. But it is best to consider them all and in their chronological order.
- “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
- “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
- “Woman, behold, your son” … “Behold, your mother” (John 19:25–27)!
- “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)?
- “I am thirsty” (John 19:28).
- “It is finished” (John 19:30).
- “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).
So, what do we find in these last words of Jesus? There are words of distress and even agony, especially as He experienced the Father’s wrath in bearing our sins. And there are words of love in expressing forgiveness to all and in His compassionate concern for His mother. Jesus spoke hope-filled words to the repentant thief and as He committed His spirit to the Father. He also spoke those three triumphant words, “It is finished,” which birthed the good news of salvation in His finished work on the cross.
What you won’t find are expressions of anxiety or anger or any derogatory statements of any kind. This although He was being unjustly punished and subjected to the mockery and taunts of those around Him. And in that He’s left us an example, even as Peter drew attention to Jesus’ last words and exhorted us to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21-23). Jesus is the best example for us in every virtuous way, and we do well to consider what He had to say as He was confronting death, as His last words speak to the glory of who He is.
He that was full of grace and truth spoke that way as He died on the cross!
NEAR THE CROSS
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain—
Free to all, a healing stream—
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and Mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
LookingtoJesus 