We should never be so consumed with our own pain that we can’t notice others.
In these two weeks leading up to Easter, we’re looking at the seven last sayings of Jesus. We’ve covered two sayings so far, and today we’re on day six, looking at the third thing Jesus said while He was on the cross:
When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. – John 19:26-27 NIV
My heart breaks for Jesus’ mother, Mary, in this story. No parents should have to see their child die. I know that feeling all too well.💔
While Mary is watching her baby boy, who’s been beaten within a breath of His life, die an excruciating death, He speaks to her.
When Jesus says, “Woman, here is your son” to Mary and “Here is your mother” to John, He effectively arranges for Mary to be cared for by John. Jesus’ father, Joseph, had already passed away at that point, and it was Jesus’ responsibility, as the oldest son, to take care of His ageing, widowed mother.
In the midst of His greatest pain, while He is fighting for His life, Jesus’ selfless love is once again displayed. He is more concerned with His mother’s well-being than His own all-consuming pain.
There’s a beautiful lesson here: we should never be so consumed with our own pain that we can’t notice the pain of others.
We all have a lot going on in our lives. We tend to get so wrapped up in our own world, our own struggles, our own circumstances that we can’t even see what others around us are going through.
No doubt there are people around you today who are hurting, suffering or in need of care. Take a moment to put your own worries aside and ask God, “Is there someone You want me to notice?” Reach out to them.
