Friday March 30th, 2018 Good Friday John 19:16-30
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." (verse 26)
Throughout her life, Jesus’ mother Mary strived to turn mystery into meaning. She treasured all of God’s words and pondered them in her heart, trusting that God works through all things for good. Yet even Mary must have struggled to understand how it can be God’s will that Jesus, both God’s son and her son, should be put to death.
Even before his birth, Mary predicted that Jesus would set right the oppression God’s people had suffered for generations. She sang about God uplifting the poor and casting out people who dare to abuse their power. Mary was the first to know and believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. We can only imagine her grief as she witnessed both her son and her hope of the redemption of Israel die on a cross.
We feel Mary’s pain, but we also know that death is not the end, because God has promised us eternal life. Even though Christ dies, he still brings salvation, not only for Israel, but for the whole world. Jesus is glorified, not ruling over an earthly kingdom, as his followers anticipated, but over a heavenly one.
Merciful Redeemer, just as Mary did, I rejoice in God, my Saviour. Amen. — KLS
Contributed by Son and Saviour
Throughout her life, Jesus' mother Mary strived to turn mystery into meaning. She treasured all of God's words and pondered them in her heart, trusting that God works through all things for good. Yet even Mary must have struggled to understand how it can be God's will that Jesus, both God's son and her son, should be put to death.
Even before his birth, Mary predicted that Jesus would set right the oppression God's people had suffered for generations. She sang about God uplifting the poor and casting out people who dare to abuse their power. Mary was the first to know and believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. We can only imagine her grief as she witnessed both her son and her hope of the redemption of Israel die on a cross.
We feel Mary's pain, but we also know that death is not the end, because God has promised us eternal life. Even though Christ dies, he still brings salvation, not only for Israel, but for the whole world. Jesus is glorified, not ruling over an earthly kingdom, as his followers anticipated, but over a heavenly one.
