## The Cry of Provision

## John 19:25-27

Over the past few weeks we have been focusing our attention on Calvary and the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While on the cross, Jesus spoke seven times. He prayed that God would forgive the crowd that day for what they were doing. He gave the penitent thief the promise of eternal life. And this morning we look at a passage of Scripture where He speaks to His mother and to John.

Let us picture the scene. Three crosses stand upon Calvary's hill. Jesus, the Son of God, hangs upon the central cross. The mob jeers, the soldiers gamble, and the religious leaders rejoice. Jesus looks down and sees His mother standing near the cross. By her side is the disciple John. We do not know how close they were, but the Scripture tells us that they were "by the cross". Jesus speaks to Mary and says, "Woman, behold thy Son." And to John He says, "Behold thy mother".

I. The Mother by the Cross.

A. Mary had a great honor.

1. When she was just a young woman she received the message from Gabriel that God had chosen her to be His instrument through which He would send His Son into this world.

2. Although she didn't fully understand the situation, she humbly submitted herself to be used of the Lord.

3. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Lk.1:38

B. Mary was not the Redeemer.

1. The Catholic church calls her the "Queen of Heaven and the Holy Mother of God".

2. They would make her a co-redeemer for the sins of mankind and tell us that we must pray to Mary.

3. However, God's Word is very clear on that issue: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." cf 1Tim. 2:5

4. We are saved by the blood of Christ, not the blessed virgin.

C. Jesus broke their human relationship.

1. He turned her away from Himself.

2. From now on John was to be her son and she was to be John's mother.

3. The relationship is no longer a mother to a son, it is now a believer to their Savior.

4. Jesus never placed Mary on a pedestal, nor did He ever intend for her to become an object of worship.

5. After the resurrection, she took her place among the other worshippers.

a. She found the salvation relationship to be higher than the family relationship.

b. She found it better to have Jesus as Savior and Lord than to have Him as her son.

c. As a son He made provision for her to be cared for by John, as her Savior He said, "I go to prepare a place for you."

II. The Son on the Cross.

A. Jesus sets a wonderful example for us as always.

1. Probably Joseph was already dead by this time, and for whatever reasons her other sons were not around to care for her.

2. It is possible that they could not go along with her in the faith which Jesus taught.

3. Jesus is careful to take care of her future before He dies.

4. Jesus lived a complete life and dis- charged every obligation to God and man.

5. He wasn't willing to die and leave anything undone that He ought to do.

B. He was fulfilling the Word of God.

1. God instructs children on how they are to treat their parents.

2. "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

3. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother which is the first commandment with promise." cf Ep. 6:1-2

4. Honoring parents is more than mere obedience; it means we give them love, affection, gratitude, and respect.

5. Jesus always did the right thing; he never overlooked or neglected any of His responsibilities.

III. The Disciple at the Cross.

A. He was the only one of the twelve who was there.

1. Peter had followed afar off and then denied Christ three separate times.

2. Matthew 26:56 tells us that all of the disciples with Him at the time of His arrest "forsook Him and fled".

3. But John came back; drawn by his great love for the Savior.

B. He and three women stood by the cross.

1. It was not an easy place to stand; they were definitely in the minority.

2. It is not an easy place to stand today!

3. If we want to go along with the crowd, we won't take a stand at the cross.

4. If we are ashamed to be identified with Christ, then we won't take a stand at the cross.

5. Most of the work for Christ has been done by the minority, but that is how it has always been.

6. Jesus said, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few."

C. Where will we take our stand?

1. Will we love Christ enough to stand up for Him; even when the crowd thinks it is foolish?

2. Paul said, "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." cf 1Co. 1:18

3. God is looking for those who will take a stand for Him in this world.

4. Will you be willing?

Many admit that He was the Son of God, but do not know Him personally. Is He Lord of your life and your family? Are you willing to stand up for Him who was willing to lay down His life for you? Why not come to Christ today? Why not commit your life and family to Him today? Trust Him today for there is no other way.