The Love of Jesus (John 19:25-27)

Today's scripture: John 19:25-27

I read today's verses, and my heart is touched. These words illustrate how deeply Jesus loved. Some of Jesus' final words before He died were for the care of His earthly mother.

The poignancy of the moment cannot be overstated. Mary knew her Son wasn't a mere human. From the moment the angel appeared to her, she understood—as much as she could—that the Child she would bear would be the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35).

We don't know much about Jesus' early years. In fact, we have only a handful of verses that speak to the first 30 years of His life on earth. We know He was circumcised on His eighth day as Jewish law required (Luke 2:21). We read that the  "Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him" (v. 40). He astounded the temple priests with His knowledge of scripture when He was only 12 years old (v. 47), and even though He was God in flesh, He respected the earthly authority of His parents (v. 51). Then the last words we have about His childhood tell us that "Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (v. 52).

We don't hear any more about Jesus until He began His earthly ministry at age 30. We can, however, imagine. We can envision Jesus as a young teen, helping His mom raise His younger siblings. We know His earthly father was a carpenter, so we can infer that Jesus learned the trade. We can picture Jesus doing chores around the house.

He likely went to school and had friends. He may have been athletic, or perhaps He liked to sit quietly reading. Was He an extrovert? An introvert?

We don't really know, but today's verses tell us one thing: He loved Mary. We don't hear anything more about Joseph after the early verses in Luke's gospel. Perhaps he died when Jesus was a teenager. In any case, Jesus had been caring for Mary at the time of His own death.

And He planned for her care even after He left this earth. Thus, those poignant words to John: "Behold, your mother!" Jesus knew He wouldn't be able to provide for Mary's physical needs, so He made certain someone would. How appropriate it was that He chose the "disciple whom He loved."

As Jesus cared for Mary, He still cares for us. He provides for our needs as well ... because He loves us just as He loved Mary. That's how much He loves me and how much He loves you.