John 21:4-6 As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. 6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”

DOES Jesus stand close by you, but you don’t recognize him? The disciples were busy at their work, but they were unsuccessful. Certainly they were focused on how to catch some fish, so they could have breakfast and earn some money.
   Then Jesus comes to them. Does he mock them or ask them what’s wrong? No. He knows what’s wrong, and he desires to make it right. He speaks to them with a question to affirm he is aware of their circumstance. Then he responds with help. “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”
   Being Jesus’ disciple means we listen to the Master when he speaks. His words are always helping words. Jesus knows what is wrong with the world – with his creation made in God’s image. He came to help us with the way to salvation. He knows that sin, as on that day, keeps his disciples from knowing him. So he came that day to give his disciples a way to live differently. “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” is more than about fishing. This is Jesus’ urging to love God, to live life differently. We will truly become “fishers of men”. (Mark 1:17) when we listen to the Lord’s call for true and righteous living.
   Listen to Jesus’ “new direction” words to Peter: John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!”
   See the Lord’s love for his disciples. Hear his compassion and command to the heart-broken, misdirected Peter. And know this: the Lord’s restoring words for Peter are also for you. He wants you to hear his love, his forgiveness, his urgings, and his passion. He wants you to speak your love. And Jesus wants you to live your love for him. To affirm the truth of, “Lord, you know I love you.” Peter and all of us must live into the risen Lord’s gracious words that honor us with the opportunity to serve him.
   You can hear Jesus’ abundant love speak from the Bible through his Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We have many opportunities to meet Jesus with Bible reading, Bible study, church attendance and prayer. Serve God’s people. Serve those who don’t know him. Be of faith to believe the Lord’s will is directing you to feed his sheep.
   Yes, he is “on the shore” available to help you. Listen. Know he is your friend, your Lord, your Savior.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to me when I was far from you. I pray I live out my love for you. Amen.
 
Note: This concludes our study of John begun last September. I pray it has been a help to your faith walk with Jesus. Barb and I depart for Ghana on June 25 – return July 9. Pleas pray for our teaching and the hearing of God’s Word. Thank you.

John 20:24-28 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
 
WHAT does it take to confess, “My Lord and my God?” Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds. He knew without a doubt because all of his senses: touch, hearing, seeing and smell were able to gather in the fact that the risen Christ was alive with him! As Mary Magdalene had experienced the Lord’s same physical presence to exclaim, “Rabboni!” Thomas also exclaimed his belief in the physical evidence of the risen Jesus.
   From that point on, Thomas faithfully lived forward into his commission. His zeal for the Lord became the gospel’s outpouring. Of the millions of Christians in India today, Thomas planted the first salvation seeds. Until he died a martyr’s death, nothing – especially doubt – stopped Thomas’ faithful proclamation of the risen Lord.
   What about you? Are you ready to proclaim the risen Christ? Are you ready to say to him, “My Lord and My God?” Be of faith to know that even though the Lord does not stand before you in physical form, he manifests himself through changed lives. In faith, declare to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”  Then be willing to follow him to places you don’t know – even to your neighbor’s home – to tell the good news.
   Go ahead. Do it. Your life will be different and new as you declare your faith with words and actions. Live for Jesus; you will experience him with all your senses. You will touch those in need. You will hear his comfort, assurance, strength and power. You will taste the sweetness of his joy. You will smell the fragrance of peace, love and unity. You will see the Lord’s wounds heal the brokenhearted, calm the fearful and assure those who confess. You will know Jesus is your Lord and your God.
 
Prayer: I love you, Jesus. Thank you for opening my eyes to see you. Amen.

John 20:19-21 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

NOW it’s the disciples’ turn to see the risen Lord. They had dismissed Mary’s claim in John 20:18 “I have seen the Lord.” Even with this testimony, God had not yet revealed to them the reality of Jesus’ many prophecies as here in Luke 9:44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” They had heard Jesus tell them what would happen. They had heard Mary tell them what did happen. Why were they so dull to not understand and believe? Read on to see the Luke’s next record in Luke 9:45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
   Remember John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”  They Holy Spirit had not yet opened their minds to understand. We don’t know why. God has his plans to reveal his truth in his purposes and times. Perhaps, though, we can learn a lesson of God’s Word: if you do not understand, ask questions and seek knowledge. We must never be afraid to seek the truth. They only reason for fear is to not understand. The Lord God wants us to pursue his truth. He longs for our hearts to desire knowledge and wisdom. A disciple’s journey is to move past our fears and into Jesus’ truth.
   Yes, Jesus’ chosen students were afraid to seek the truth and to respond to the truth. Think of it. Fear almost caused them to miss the risen Savior of the world. Thankfully, though, Jesus pursued them. He walked through the locked door and came after their hearts to say, “Peace be with you.” Jesus needed them out of their fear and into faith. They had work to do. The disciples would soon have the Great Commission to obey. Yes, Jesus would command them to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20a) There would be no more doubt, fear and hiding. Meekness would disappear. Boldly they would go because Jesus is alive! Even more, he added a promise to his command, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mathew 28:20b) And I am sure they believed him!
   I’m glad you stopped being afraid, Mr. Disciples! I’m glad you found joy and power in the risen Christ. If you hadn’t, who would have? Would I know Jesus today if you had stayed afraid? Oh, thank you for passionately following your Lord. You are the Spirit-empowered instruments to teach me to call him, “My Lord.”
   And thank you, Holy Spirit, for revealing the resurrection truth to me. Now my life is changed, made new, born again. My life is eternally out of the grave. There are no reasons to be afraid. The risen Lord is my Lord and Savior.
 
Prayer: I pray, Spirit, my heart, soul and mind are at peace because Jesus is alive in me. Amen.

John 20:17-18 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
 
IT is a very intimate and good thing Mary experiences here. In God’s grace, he has revealed to Mary Magdalene that Jesus is alive, and she holds onto him with exuberant love and joy.
   Then Jesus urges her to release her hold on him. Do you wonder why? Do you think, as I do, that Jesus should have let Mary hold him as long as she wanted? What’s the hurry?
   Or perhaps Jesus is not in haste. Maybe he is assuring Mary. Remember the emotional trauma Mary has experienced for three days. To watch her beloved Lord suffer the cross and death would tear at her soul. Viewing his burial, discovering the empty tomb, darkness and questions would invade her soul. How could the Healer have suffered so? Had he saved her from demon possession only for her to experience this uncertain future?
   Then he’s there – in the garden! He’s speaking to her, calling her name. She hears. She sees. She believes. She embraces the Lord, not wanting him to go from her ever again.
   But Jesus speaks his eternal assurance to Mary. Holding him is good, but it’s not necessary. He will always be with her as he told his disciples: John 14:18-20 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
   In essence, he speaks the same words to Mary. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” All who believe in Jesus are his brother and sister under the Father’s care. All who believe in Jesus believe in God the Father, Son and Spirit. When we hold him in our heart, he holds us in his salvation.
   Jesus assures Mary she will never have to experience his death again. She will never need to mourn his going away. As the Lord live, she lives in him. Here is the truth his comfort to his disciples in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
   Is Jesus alive in you? He is with you each day and forever.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are with me and I am with you forevermore. Amen.

John 20:11-16 But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don't know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!”


THE inexpressible anguish and pain our Lord suffered on the cross is gone! There is no pain, no sorrow, no despair and no heartache. There is no death! The Resurrection and the Life has revealed himself to mankind! Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Psalm 14:7)
   The Lord has spoken. The Lord has acted. The Lord is risen, and there is nothing that the gates of Hell can do. Satan is conquered. Death is done for all who believe. Life reigns.
   You can be sure Mary is glad she stayed at the tomb! We see in Matthew and Luke that other women were with her. How exceedingly glad would be this small first congregation of the Christian church. They were so glad, they went and told. The women became the first missionaries, the first evangelists and emissaries to represent the risen Christ. But sadly, the disciples reject their resurrection message. Mark 16:10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
   Perhaps they couldn’t believe Jesus would go to the women before he went to them. Remember, unbelief divides. It keeps us grieving when our faith should cause us to rejoice and be glad!
   Ah, Mary, your grief was enormous. Your joy is now even greater! No matter what anyone says to you from this day on, you know now the Lord is alive. You know in your heart the joy of worshiping the resurrected Jesus Christ! Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
   Is any unbelief blocking your worship of the Living Christ? Listen. He’s calling your name. Confess, “Rabboni! Master! Teacher! Savior!”
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, remove from my heart any unbelief that keeps me from you. Stir my heart to hear your voice speak my name that I may declare, “Jesus is alive!” In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

John 20:1-10 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Sim on Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

YES! The tomb is empty! Is not this exactly what Jesus told his disciples would happen? But look. They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. Why did Peter and John (the other disciple) not know? Why did they go home? Why not go tell the other disciples? Mary Magdalene had come to tell them. She didn’t go home when she saw the empty tomb. Why don’t these two disciples from Jesus’ inmost circle eagerly search for the risen Christ?
   Could fear, guilt and shame have been ruling their hearts? Were they still afraid of the authorities? Likely, Peter felt the deep guilt of denying Jesus. Maybe both men were ashamed they had not been more faithful to protect Jesus when he needed them.
   It’s true, isn’t it? Even when we cannot control events, fear, guilt and shame will quickly intrude into our lives. These binding emotions isolate us from people we love. Tragically, such feelings will keep us “at home” to especially avoid seeking Jesus. Possibly, John and Peter thought, “He’s alive. But we don’t want to face him.”
   I don’t know about their hearts. But I do know we all have felt very unworthy of Jesus. Our shame keeps us from trusting “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7c)  
   We thank God, then, would seek these two and the other nine disciples to draw them fully into faith. He lived into his teaching, “I came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10b) The Living Lord redeemed their fears into faith, their guilt into forgiveness, their shame into joy. Transformed in Jesus’ resurrection, Peter, John and the others will boldly proclaim to a fearful, guilty world, “He is risen!”
   Do you want to live a confident redeemed life with Jesus? Give to Jesus your fears. Hand over your guilt. Bundle up your shame. Jesus will collect your garbage, and he will throw it all away. Eagerly, know Jesus seeks you. In turn, seek Jesus each day to praise his mercy, thank him for his salvation, confess your sins  and receive his tender care.
   Yes, because the tomb is empty, the Holy Spirit can fill your heart with the Lord’s grace and peace. Confess your sins. Believe in Jesus. By Jesus’ blood, you are redeemed.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you have sought after my soul. You have welcomed me into your grace and truth. I love you. You are alive in me, and I rejoice! Amen

John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. 40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. 
 
THERE were Pharisees who believed Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. We learn of Joseph, who came from a region called Arimathea. Sources tell us he was a man of high standing as a ruling Jew. And this is the third time John brings Nicodemus into the story. Nicodemus began the discussion that led to two of John’s often-quoted truths: Jesus said in John 3:3 “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  And the apostle summarizes the gospel with John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
   I wonder what the believing Joseph and Nicodemus were thinking as they prepared the Messiah’s body for burial? Jesus’ words had spoken to Nicodemus in a new and transforming way. When Nicodemus asked, “How can this be?” (John 3:9) and Jesus responded with, “I am telling you the truth.” (John 3:11) Nicodemus must have struggled, as we all do, with the truth. He must have examined what he had been taught. If he were a good Pharisee, he would have studied the law further. In his study, he might have read again of the first Passover in Exodus 12 to learn again how the sacrificed lamb’s blood on the doorposts saved the homes’ inhabitants. Perhaps he read again of God’s instructions to build a tabernacle and then a temple to include lampstands to always light the night. Did Nicodemus understand anew God’s sacrificial laws, requiring the first-born bulls and lambs to be a perfect offering to the Lord? Maybe he read the prophets, and the Spirit blew a fresh wind of truth into his soul and mind to understand the prophecies pointed to Jesus.
   Did he and Joseph put all the evidence together? If they did, Nicodemus and Joseph found Jesus. They found the Son of God, to believe in faith how true and right Jesus’ teachings are.
   So, I wonder again, what these “secret disciples” thought as they prepared his Messiah’s body for burial? Were they disappointed and doubting the truth now? Had they lost hope? Or did these believing men anticipate resurrection?  
   And even more, was there, somewhere in them an understanding that this was not the end? Did a light flicker in the darkness? Perhaps Jesus’ words give them pause to say, “Let’s see what God will now do.”
   It’s true, isn’t it? Jesus has more to offer than we can see. The light of his life goes beyond the broken circumstances of life, even death to point us to eternal life.
   Nicodemus and Joseph were about to find out. 
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for understanding and knowledge of your Word. I pray I will keep my eyes on your resurrection. In all things I do, Lord, may I know you are alive. Amen.

John 19:31-37 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And there is another scripture that says, “People will look at him whom they pierced.”

FIRST, let’s note John’s assertion to the facts. John is careful to note the truth of Jesus’ side pierced. “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true.”
   How horrible is the Jewish authorities’ cruelty! These murderous, self-serving leaders “convicted” Jesus in sham trials, forced the Roman governor to scourge and crucify Jesus. They urge Pilate to instruct the centurions to break his legs. This extraordinary pain to add to crucifixion’s incomparable strife is unthinkable. Yet, the Jewish rulers demanded it. In a great irony, this final insult against the Lord of the Sabbath is to preserve the Pharisees’ view of the sanctity of the Sabbath. Then they could “religiously” celebrate the Passover within the Laws of Moses. Did they ever think they were killing the Living Word, the One who fulfilled the law, whose love perfected the law?
   But God had another idea. His Son was dead on the cross. The Passover Lamb’s legs would be broken: Exodus 12:46 “The lamb must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.” And another prophecy regarding “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) is fulfilled. God keeps his own Law.
   And then Jesus’ side is pierced. This is evidence, my friends, clear and concise, that Jesus had died. Turn away the swoon theories and other lies deceivers use to make the resurrection a farce. Look to the dead body of your Savior. He must pass through death to become the Living Lord. God wants you to clearly know that his Son is dead on a cross because we all have sinned. To draw nearer to God, you must contemplate and mourn Jesus’ horrid death prophesied: Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Living the Christian life is to grieve that our sin caused Jesus, the Son of God, to die for you.
   How do you respond to that?
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you that in your death you opened the way for my salvation. I praise you, God, that I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Amen.
 

John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!”

THERE it is! The plan is done. The work complete. Now the Son of God can go home. Obedient in all things to the Father, the Son will now reside on his throne in eternity’s glory. “It is finished!”
   Jesus’ life on earth was to complete the work the Father’s will required at this point in history. Jesus has ministered God’s grace to a world painfully imprisoned with evil. The Servant king has endured human suffering, even to be crucified. Now the work, the suffering is finished. The Lord’s compassion, joy, love and peace begins to flow from the cross to the world and into our hearts. Glory be to God!
   Yes, we praise God that Jesus was “born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried. On the third day he rose again and sits at God’s right hand.” (from the Apostles Creed). Oh, the power of those five phrases! God’s Son became human flesh. That alone is too difficult to fully comprehend. But the suffering under Pilate is even more difficult to understand. Can we realize the Holy One lived a life of labor, discomfort, poverty, and grief? Do we realize he suffered the insults of teachers of the law? His own people denied him even though he proclaimed his love through healings, resurrections and mass food distributions! Jesus suffered the doubts, pride and betrayal of his closest disciples. He suffered the horrific lash and piercing crown of thorns. And he suffered the cross and the grave.
   That was the God’s plan, so we will know the depth of our sin and the height of God’s love. Now the plan of redemption was finished. The blood has been shed. As John the Baptist declared, John 1:29 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  has fulfilled the prophecies and law. The Passover Lamb of God has been sacrificed to save the children of Abraham. Yes, this is for you and all who have and will confess Christ from that day on. Oh, sin’s curse is finished. The sentence of death is done.
   And now the new testament of grace and forgiveness has begun! Salvation flows from the cross. Remember and rejoice: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
   Praise the Lord!
 
Prayer: Lord God, keep our minds on the great truth that death is done, and life is in your hands. Amen.
 
 
 

John 19:23-27 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 The soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it; let’s throw dice to see who will get it.” 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home
 
THE soldiers who nailed Jesus on the cross now await his death. It’s not enough to be beaten to the bone, a mass of blood, torn flesh and searing pain. Our Lord hangs naked, the object of cursing and shame. His crucifiers do not care. In fact, they now see how they can profit from this dying man. His robe is the prize.
   Is that our view of God? Are there too many days we’d rather look to God to say, “What do you have to give me today?” Should we be more eager to ask, “What can I do for the One who bore my shame?” Easily we look from the cross to look to our own desires. What must we do to more richly desire our Savior?
   As we have seen throughout John, we can and must look to live as our Savior modeled for us.
   See his love in action here, even as he died in excruciating pain and shame: So Jesus said to his mother, “He is your son.” Oh, he’s dying. Pain we can’t imagine, a thirst beyond understanding grips his body. How is he even alive? Yet, his compassionate love comes down to the one who bore his human body.
   Do you remember the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary? Luke 1:30 “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Favor is God’s unmerited love and mercy. Favor is blessing and salvation. Now Jesus offered one more favor to Mary. Declaring to Mary “He is your son.” Jesus assures Mary that John will care for her.
   Why is this important? Essentially, poor Hebrew widows were without means. Hebrew law declared the oldest son was to care for his widowed mother. Jesus is Mary’s oldest son, isn’t he? Who now will support her needs? Where are Mary’s other sons? They don’t believe, yet and are likely afraid, too, of being so closely connected to their condemned brother. Only his cousin, friend and disciple John stands close to the cross and watches his Messiah die. Available to his Lord, John receives one last command, “Take care of my mother.”
   Yes, our Lord is the compassionate, crucified One. That day, his love flowed from the cross, through the shame, suffering and all obstacles. Through the soldiers’ selfishness, his pain and even unto death, Jesus’ favor pours out to his mother.
   Rejoice his love did not stop there. Even more fully, Jesus’ love is flows into you now. The crucified, compassionate Savior has sent his Spirit to comfort and care for you. John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  
   When we become too focused on worldly desires, let’s stop to remember Jesus’ desire to die for us. He has given himself to you. What will you give him in return?
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of love, mercy and compassion. I pray we receive your favor to offer it to others. In your name I pray, amen.