By Reverend J. Loren Russell
John 19:25-27 NKJV
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
It only happens once a year, but it should be an everyday celebration and expression of your love and appreciation of your mother. Just think about it for a minute, after conception, she carried you in her womb for nine months, nurtured, fed, clothed, educated, disciplined, admonished, and loved you, even when you displayed an attitude, a lack of appreciation, even if you showed hostility towards her. If you were blessed to have your mother as a part of your life, she still gets credit for bringing you into the world. Mothers are deserving of celebrating because of who they are, not just because of what they have done.
Jesus’ mother was at the cross when He was crucified. She watched as her son agonized in the hot sun after being beaten all night long and flogged with a cat-of-nine-tails. There were balls of sweat mixed with blood flowing down his face from the crown of thorns shoved deeply into His head. He was stripped naked and nailed to a rugged cross by His hands and feet. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was in deep sorrow. She knew her son would soon die and there was nothing she could do about it.
The eldest son becomes responsible for the care and provision of the mother. It is presumed that Joseph (His earthly father) had already died. Even in His darkest hour, Jesus shows His love and concern for His mother, even as His time on earth was quickly concluding. So, He looks up, sees His mother and the disciple whom He loves standing beside her. Gazing at His mother, He tells her to “Behold your son,” then turns ever so slightly to the disciple whom He loves and says to him, “Behold your mother.” Jesus honors His mother by putting her into the hands of the disciple whom He loved (John 13:23). “And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
On this Mother’s Day, whether your mother is alive or has become a child of eternity, let us, one and all, follow the example Jesus set, and honor our mothers every day. Do it for the love of Mother!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords).
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