THESIS: To show the faithfulness of a few, the love of the Lord & the diligence of John!
INTRO:
A. Calvary was so situated that hundreds, perhaps thousands, could watch the crucifixions there. When Jesus was crucified, many "watched Him there..." 🔸The religious leaders were there taunting & mocking Him, "He saved others, He cannot save Himself!" 🔸Some of the mob who thirsted for His blood were there reviling Him, "Thou that destroyedst the Temple & buildest it in three days, save thyself. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." 🔸The 2 thieves joined in with, "He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said I am the Son of God." 🔸The curiosity seekers were no doubt there & were at best unsympathetic. 🔸The soldiers who crucified Him were oblivious of Who He was & what was being done FOR THEM there as they ignored Him & gambled for His garments.
B. Not a friendly scene. 🔹Even His disciples & Apostles had "forsook Him & fled." 🔹By this time Judas had committed suicide, 🔹Peter had denied Him, and the others were in hiding. 🔹Even John, the beloved, had turned tail & ran away in the garden. (Cf. Mk. 14:51, 52) But now, against this black backdrop, 🔶we see a small group of 4 women & 1 man huddled together, beholding this horrible, bloody, blasphemous scene.
I. THE FAITHFUL FIVE: v. 25, 26a
NOTE: The key words in the text are NOT the names of those in that little group, but the words "stood by the cross" (v. 25) and "standing by" in v. 26a. These words speak of loyalty, devotion, love & faithfulness. These are characteristics which every believer should seek to develop.
A.His Mother, Mary:
1. Imagine her anguish as she "watched Him there..." 2. Imagine her thoughts as she relived her experiences with Him.
a. Initially, she was thrilled to be the bearer of the Messiah of Israel: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, & my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior..." Lk. 1:46, 47 b. She soon experienced the beginning of sorrows of being Jesus' mother.
1) There was "no room" at the Inn for His birth. 2) Herod purposed to destroy her infant. 3) She & Joseph had to flee into a foreign country. 4) She saw Him "despised & rejected" a "man of sorrows". 5) She watched hatred toward Him build for doing good. 6) She now must watch Him die!
NOTE: None of the Gospels record her words or emotions, but though she was silent, she was grieved. But even this was the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken to her at His circumcision as an infant, "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also." But SHE STOOD BY HER SON & HER SAVIOR!
B.His Mother's Sister, Salome:
1. Her name is not given here, but Mt. 27:56 & Mk. 15:40 make it clear she is the mother of James & John. 2. Her presence says much for her: Jesus rebuked her for her worldly ambitions for her sons in Mt. 20:20.
NOTE: Her presence here reveals her humility in accepting rebuke & her undiminished love for Jesus. She STOOD BY HER SAVIOR!
C.Mary, The Wife Of Cleophas:
1. Little is known of this obscure woman. 2. It is enough that she, too, STOOD BY HER SAVIOR!
D.Mary Magdalene: Mk. 16:9; Lk. 8:2
NOTE: Three of these women were named "Mary" = "bitterness". How their hearts were filled with anguish as they beheld the dying Lamb!
1. Jesus had cast 7 demons out of her. 2. It was she to whom Jesus appeared first after His resurrection 3. She who had been delivered from much loved much & thus was loyal & STOOD BY HER SAVIOR!
E.The Disciple Whom He Loved, John:
1. He had fled, but now returned. 2. His love had conquered his fear; "perfect love casteth out fear", & he too STOOD BY HIS SAVIOR!
II. THE LOVING LORD: v. 26b, 27a
A.His Death Was For Others:
1. Even in death - ESPECIALLY in death - He provided for others. 2. He is stripped of everything, yet he leaves rich legacies.
a. To His executioners He bequeathed a prayer for forgiveness. b. To the dying thief He grants the promise of eternal life. c. To all who have since come to Him He gives heaven & His love.
B.His Thoughts Were For Others:
1. He fulfilled the commandment to "Honor...thy mother".
NOTE: Apparently, Joseph was dead & Mary is now a widow. He had apparently cared personally for her till this time, now sets an example for us. (He could not commit her to her other sons, for they were not yet believers! Jn.7:5) Cf. Mt. 13:55, 56 Catholics argue that Mary had no other sons, or He would have given Mary to them.
2. He demonstrated His compassion, sparing Mary the final moment cry of agony & physical death.
NOTE: The term "woman" is not disrespectful (cf. 20:13). The point is that she must no longer view Him as her son, but as her Savior. Spiritual bonds have preference over natural ties.
3. He reveals that He is the Provider & Protector of those He must leave behind (including us!). 4. He unites together those who love Him & those whom He loves.
NOTE: Perhaps, none understood Him more than His mother & none apprehended His love more than John.
5. He shows that He would provide for His own, by His own.
ILLUS: Catholic theology teaches that John is here commended to Mary's patronage (& through Him to all Christ's disciples) but actually the opposite is true! Jesus did not commend John to Mary, but Mary to John!
III. THE DILIGENT DISCIPLE: v. 27b
A.Immediate Response: "that hour..."
B.Complete Obedience:
1. Lengthy instructions are not needed when love is the bond. 2. Hesitation or refusal is not a consideration when loyalty & faithfulness are the motives.
CONCL:Do you"stand by the Savior?" Even when unpopular, dangerous, threatening or uncomfortable? Do you follow His example toward "others"? Do you obey unhesitatingly & completely? Are YOU saved?