061. JOH 19:25-26. NEARNESS TO THE CROSS

Joh_19:25-26. Nearness to the Cross

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!"’97Joh_19:25, Joh_19:26.

In this interesting and affecting narrative, let us consider. I. The Persons. II. Their Situation. And, III. The Instruction it furnishes.

I. The Persons presented to our Notice.

There were,

1. The three Maries.

The pious and afflicted mother of the Redeemer’97his mother’s sister’97and the affectionate and faithful Magdalene. Peter, and the rest of the disciples, with one exception, all fled. Multitudes joining the cruel clamors of Christ’s murderers. Surrounded by the soldiery, &c. Yet these noble heroines abide near his sacred person, and remain enchained by unconquerable love to the melancholy spot. Their very names are fragrant to the pious soul, and their memories will be revered forever. There was also,

2. The disciple whom Jesus loved.

That is, the beloved John. Christ loved all his disciples, but John seems ever to nave had a larger share than the rest. He was one of the privileged three who were with him on the mount of transfiguration, and in the garden. It was he who leaned on Jesus’ bosom at the last supper. We do not profess to assign a reason for this superiority of attachment. We may remark, however, that he was early called by the Saviour, the youngest disciple perhaps, it is not too much to say, that he seems to have possessed most of the Spirit of Christ: and he proved by his present station, the greatness and constancy of his love to Jesus, over the rest, who had forsaken him and fled. Notice,

II. Their Situation.

"Near the cross of Christ."

1. Many were there out of curiosity.

To witness the execution.

2. Many there out of hatred to the illustrious Sufferer.

They had long thirsted for his life. They had maligned his reputation’97falsified his character’97attributed his works to demons’97published him as an impostor’97and now, with infernal joy, they hasten to see his death, crying aloud, "His blood be upon us, and upon our children!" "He saved others, himself he cannot save."

3. Many were there officially.

The executioners, the officers to arrange the business of death, the soldiers, &c. But the Maries, and the beloved John, were there,

(1) As his weeping friends. There to sympathize with him’97there to show, that their love was unabated’97their attachment as great and ardent as ever. They were there,

(2) As his public disciples. Went with him as far as it was possible for them. Were not prevented by fear, or conjectures as to the prudence of their conduct. As his soldiers, they were with him in the midst of his enemies, in the thickest part of the battle. And did not the advantages of the situation amply reward them for their love and fidelity to Jesus? They saw the Redeemer’s unshaken fortitude in death; the opening of the crimson fountain for sin. They were spectators of all the prodigies which accompanied his death. The darkness’97the earthquake, &c. They received his last affectionate look; heard his last words to the dying malefactor’97the solemn accents, "It is finished," when he gave up the ghost. They were there,

(3) As his servants, to receive his dying commands. And he did publicly recognise them, notwithstanding the clamor of the mob, and the agony he was enduring, and laid his parting injunctions upon them. To his mother he said, "Behold thy son"’97receive him, care for him, and love him as thy companion, in the stead of him who is now leaving thee. To John he said, "Behold thy mother"’97be to her an affectionate son, I commend her to thy kind attention and affectionate care, sympathize with her’97heal her wounds as far as possible’97remember, she is the legacy left to thee by thy dying Saviour and friend. "And he took her from that hour to his own home." Notice,

III. The Instruction which it furnishes.

Here we are taught,

1. The importance of filial piety.

Behold the Son of God when performing the solemn work of redemption, still feeling for his mother, and displaying to her his filial attachment, in consigning her to the care of the beloved disciple. What an address is this to young people, especially those professing godliness!

2. The weakness of human nature.

Where are all those who had heard Christ’s discourses, who had received healing, and sight, and life from his blessed hand? Where is the bold and daring Peter, with his drawn sword, ready to go with him to death? "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.

3 The unconquerable power of love.

It was love to Jesus that led them to the cross, and nothing but love will constrain men to take up the cross, and to deny themselves, and follow Christ. Love makes us cheerfully obedient, and enables us to count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Cant. Joh_8:6, Joh_8:7.

4. The importance of Christian beneficence.

Jesus now commends the poor and afflicted of his people to the tender regards of his disciples, and says, "Whatsoever ye do to them, even the gift of a cup of cold water in my name, ye do it unto me."

Application

1. Let the believer live near to the cross; And, 2. Let the sinner repair to it, and behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world." 3. And let he impenitent remember that the doctrines of the cross will be to every soul of man either the savor of life unto life, or of death into death.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS