One ay in 1991, my Pastor came to me and gave me a Scripture reference. He said, "I'm going to be preaching on this Scripture tomorrow, and I'd like to have you meditate upon it and share with the congregation, what it brings to your mind.

Behold  Your  Mother
(John 19:2)

Meditating about Jesus' words from the cross made me wonder.  Jesus had brothers, why would he give care of his mother over to his disciple?  What I perceived to be the answer, brought back memories of the death of my father.

Mom called me at work, and said, "They told me to get somebody here to the hospital, that could be with me."  I left work immediately, and went right to the hospital.  When Dad "coded," and then when he died, she needed comfort and support.  She needed an arm around her.  She needed a Christian perspective.  I struggled hard to be strong for her, even at a time when I wondered if I were strong enough for myself.

After Dad's death, I hugged her a lot.  I called her every single day, from work.  I prayed for her.  I prayed with her. When Jesus looked down from the cross that day, he saw a "pillar."  His beloved disciple would be strong for Mary in the coming days when she desperately needed someone.  Jesus' brothers were unbelievers at this time.  They couldn't encourage her, they had no faith by which to do so.  The coming Kingdom was spiritual, not physical.  Mary needed John.  He would pray for her.  He would pray with her.

John needed Mary.  He would have to be strong for her sake.  He wouldn't be able to just get discouraged, and quit.  He had someone depending on him.  He would have to search the Scriptures for encouraging words for her.

Yes, I feel that Jesus knew exactly what Mary needed, and that John needed to give it.  As he hung dying on the cross, there was yet one loose end to tie up.  In doing so, he made two people much stronger in their faith than they could be, alone.  It was strength they would need in the coming days of tribulation that dispersed the church.  Verse 28 sums it up nicely -- it says, "after this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished...."  After all, it was his plan!
                                                                          
Dallas D'Angelo-Gary
February 27, 1991