Dear Woman

by Merchant, Paul | Category: Voice From The Cross | Apr 1996

There were clusters of people around the Cross of Jesus. There were soldiers, priests, relatives, bystanders and a group of women. We are given the names of the women. There was Mary His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene(l). It is likely that Jesus was suspended on the wooden Cross about a few feet above the ground and within hearing distance of those standing around. He knew the feelings of His mother as she looked upon her suffering Son. He had wept when He saw the grief of relatives around the grave of Lazarus, He had wept over Jerusalem and been stricken down in anguish in the darkness of Gethsemane. He was 'a Man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering'(2). He knew that this was the day that Simeon's prophecy about Mary would come true, 'And a sword will pierce your own soul too'(3).

Mary:

Even when enduring the torture of His own slow death, Jesus had compassion for others. He cared for His mother and said to her, 'Dear woman, here is your son'. Although to us the title 'woman sounds formal, the correct sense is one of respect and care, as at the wedding at Cana(4). He knew her need of a shoulder to cry on, to unburden her grief and to reminisce about her years spent with her eldest son.

John:

The Lord knew the person who would take care of her. He said to John, 'Here is your mother ... From that time on, this disciple took her into his home'(5). John extended to Mary the love he had for his Lord and took care of her domestic everyday needs which so often are neglected in bereavement. John was a contemplative, perceptive man, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and he responded with full obedience to the responsibilities given to him by His Master. He was the younger person showing sympathy to the grief-stricken older person. So often a quick answer to the question 'Why suffering?' sounds glib and cheapens the grief.

That weekend of the crucifixion would not be the time for explanations and answers, but instead, to express love by being with Mary, listening to her reflections and giving her time and space to reconcile herself to those events outside the city wail.

Example:

This cameo in the life of John was precious to him. It gives us valuable insight into Christian living. The Lord cared for those in His own family and made sure His mother was cared for. He expects us to do the same. However, it appears that there was nobody else from Jesus' family at the Cross. We should not always assume that families will rally around relatives in need we should be ready to respond to friends who are enduring a personal crisis. Here we see how the younger person cared for the older person. As the proportion of older people increases in our society, so will the need for care of the elderly increase. And the older person, Mary, was willing to depend upon John; there was no stubborn, independent spirit shown by Mary. She had the humility to accept care from a younger person. The Lord's command to John met Mary's needs, and ensured that her faith was sustained. Her name is included among those listed at the first prayer meeting in Jerusalem(6).

Biblical quotations from the NIV

(1) John 19:25 (2) Isaiah 53:3 (3) Luke 2:35 (4) John 2:4 (5) John 19:27 (6) Acts 1:14

Merchant, Paul | Apr 1996
Voice From The Cross