Context No. 2740 of 4322 · John
Context · Reflection
John 19:22-27: in context
22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
John gathers several small scenes at the foot of the cross. Pilate refuses to soften the sign over Jesus, what I have written, I have written. The soldiers divide his clothes and gamble for the tunic woven in one piece, unknowingly acting out an ancient psalm. And then, in the middle of his own dying, Jesus looks down and sees his mother and the disciple he loved standing there.
He gives them to each other. Woman, behold your son. Then to the disciple, behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple takes her into his own home. Sit with what this means. The Son who is bearing the sin of the whole world takes a moment, in agony, to make sure his widowed mother will have a place to live and someone to care for her. It is love that will not let a vast suffering crowd out an ordinary, close-at-hand duty.
When I am overwhelmed by something large, do I still tend to the ordinary people God has actually placed in my care?
Sources
- John 19:27: "Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother! From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home."
- Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land."
- 1 Timothy 5:8: "But if anyone doesn't provide for his own... he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever."