Scripture
16Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus away. 17Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth,[1] the King of the Jews.” 20The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice[2] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[3] So that is what they did.
25Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
Translation notes (3)
- 19:19 Or Jesus the Nazarene.
- 19:24a Greek cast lots.
- 19:24b Ps 22:18.
When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And He said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." John 19:26-27a
Can you imagine the sight? Jesus, hanging on a cross, looking at His beloved mother, Mary. Can you imagine the grief and pain both Jesus and Mary must have felt? I don't think He just looked at Mary. I think He locked His own grief-stricken eyes with hers. Friends, this scene is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Staring into His mother's tear-stained eyes, He said to her, "Dear women, here is your son" (talking about John, the disciple) (John 19:26). Then, He looked at John and said to him, "here is your mother" (John 19:27).
This moment on the cross shows us the honor, love, and respect Jesus had for Mary. While He was taking some of His last breaths, He wanted to be sure that His mother was taken care of. What a poignant example He set for us as we think about honoring our own parents.
Do you show the love and respect that Jesus modeled to your parents or those who are like parents to you? Do your actions and words bring honor to your parents, or are you so caught up in your own life and your own needs that you have neglected your parents? Have you become so rebellious that you purposefully choose to dishonor them blatantly? My friend, take your cue from Jesus' example and live your life in such a way that you honor, love, and respect your parents or those in your life who have become like parents.
Moving Toward Action
Think about your own life for a few moments. Are you currently showing honor to your parents? If so, what are you doing to honor them? If not, what can you do in your life to begin to show honor to them? If your parents are no longer here on this earth, who in your life is like a parent to you? How can you be sure to honor them for the love and kindness they have shown to you?
Going Deeper
Read John 19:16-27 (NLT)
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