Woman, Behold Your Son

Welcome to this edition of PowerPoint with just a little later in the program will tell you how you can get a copy of Dr. Graham's book heaven. First, here's the message the woman told her son to Bibles and open them with me to John XIX chapter really looking at verses 26 and 27 this is the third saying of our Lord from the cross and at the cross.

We do see the heart of God. There were many that day around the cross because the enemies of Christ crucified him, and yet there were friends, family members, including Mary the mother of our Lord and Jesus God with his mother present. The one who saw his first breath and bursting was there when Jesus breathed as a bay now watches him take his last breath, but in the words of Jesus we see his tenderness, his affection, his compassion and care for all of us but specifically here, his mother's Jesus is suspended between heaven and earth, fighting for every breath as he lived.

He died thinking and loving others thinking of and loving others. First, it was his tormentors as he nailed him to the cross. He said father forgive them for they do not know what they did and then to unrepentant thief who begged for mercy at the cross, remember me when you come into your kingdom and Jesus said this day you will be with me in paradise. And now the third time Jesus speaks use our words to his mother and they are affectionate and caring John records these words in John 19 beginning in verse 26 when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby. He said to his mother woman behold your son and then he said to the disciple, behold your mother and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

William Barklay the Bible commentator said this, there is something infinitely moving in the fact that Jesus in the agony of the cross in the moment when the salvation of the world hung in the balance thought of the loneliness of his mother in the day that he was would be taken away. It is clear that Joseph, the legal father of the earthly father, Joseph, the adopted father rather of Jesus is gone. He disappears after that seen in the temple when Mary and Joseph took the 12-year-old Christ to the temple.

Apparently Joseph died along the way and Mary experience her first loss.

The loss of her husband and she moves then as a widow to the cross, she would face a greater pain and a greater loneliness. It was the oldest son's responsibility to take care of the mother or the parents. Jesus was no doubt very, very close to Mary, but the relationship is about to change forever standing by. Mary is John the disciple who writes these words, he gave us these words from Jesus, along with three other women, including Mary's sister, this is John the same John who Jesus love you love Jesus very much. And Jesus tells John to care for his mother. Why because the substitute the one dying on the cross, substituting for us our sin would need a substitute someone to take his earthly role and responsibility as the leader of his family. Amazing isn't it. While Jesus is dying for the world.

He is caring for his mother. He is taking care of his family. I looked at Mary, the mother who is at the cross. Mary was a godly woman.

As a young teenager.

She was told by the angel that she would birth the Savior of the world, the Messiah, the son of God.

What a privilege that was in the favor in the grace of God.

She accepted that role that responsibility.

She said the end of me according to your will.

Mary was a godly, godly woman, but with the great privilege of being the mother of the Savior King great pain as a matter of fact when Mary and Joseph brought the Christ child into the temple for his dedication. Then Simeon the agent say he took that child into his arms and he spoke a prophecy concerning the Savior and why he had, and then he said to Mary in Luke 235 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed the sword. The pay was promised that Mary would experience great suffering as a result of her birthing and bringing the Savior into the world they would be the pain of being accused of being unfaithful wife.

The supernatural birth of Jesus. The virgin birth of Jesus was denied still denied today by some, but Mary knew it was true. It was just hard getting people to believe it. So she was locked in a little town and you have sometimes little towns Anytown really can be.

And so she was the object of town gossip that Mary is pregnant and without a husband should been unfaithful to Joseph, it appeared. Of course we know that she had not, but that rather she was the mother of the Savior, and then later on when Jesus was growing up.

Jesus is growing up and how difficult would it have been to to raise a son of God. The boy is always perfect and how you lead a child like that in Jesus would say to his parents. Do you not know that I must be about my father's business and there was the pain of knowing.

As a mother that he was not altogether heard he belonged to the world. There was a pain when Joseph and Mary took the Christ child fled for their lives in the Egypt and they were separated like immigrants from their country and and their friends and their family. Yes there was.

There was much pain along the way but now she is at the cross and the greatest pain. The sword is piercing her.

It appears that Jesus recognized his mother's pain at a certain moment and it was the moment when the soldiers were gambling for the tunic.

The undergarment of Jesus look back in your text in John 19 versus 23 and 24, when the soldiers a crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts. One part for each soldier. Also his tunic.

Now when you see the word tunic there. Think of a long soft T-shirt. It was it was a seamless garment that was worn underneath by Jewish men tunic with seamless wallet and one piece from top to bottom.

Verse 24 so they said to one another that is not Terry but cast lots for it to seasons, it shall be, and this was to fulfill the Scripture. Remember, nothing is happening by accident at the cross, all according to the divine plan and prophecy.

The Scripture which says they divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots of the soldiers did they watch the scene that the cross Jesus is dying on the cross.

His mother and family and friends are beneath and the soldiers over here gambling for his close each one took a piece of the four garments outward garments but then this tunic came along and they said let's go tear this up let's gamble for, and whoever wins gets the tunic.

Now this is especially poignant in knowing that the mother of a son would. So the tunic of her adult son when he would go out into the world so it is apparent that Mary when she saw this tunic and when Jesus saw the tunic being gamble away that it was such a tender moment that their eyes must've locked the relationship was so dear and so close because it was at that moment that Jesus spoke these words woman dearest woman behold your son and to John son behold your mother. It was there at the cross that Mary's heart was pierced and if you think about it. Mary could've stopped the whole thing.

It is probable that if Mary had gone to the religious authorities and said something like this. I am his mother. He is my son. I beg for mercy. I tell you this, he is not who he claims to be. Jesus has always had delusions of grandeur. Jesus is he's deluded but he's not God. The whole thing was a terrible mistake story is not true. He's not the Messiah. Any view she begged if you would let me take him home. I promise I'll take him home demands and you will never hear Jesus of Nazareth again. Of course Mary said none of why she could she know the story was true. She knows that Jesus is the son of God, the Savior of the world. She doesn't understand it all, but she knows and she stands as a silent suffering witness that reclaimed your listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and his message one behold your son Pastor this month we have a special gift for listeners to give a gift, through book heaven can you tell us about this powerful resource. One of my favorite Christian thinker CS Lewis once wrote about heaven.

He said if you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world where those who thought most about the next world. For example, Christians like William Wilberforce and John Newton led the fight to abolish the slave trade in England. Newton is best known for penning the lyrics to the him, amazing grace. These were men who long for heaven and it made them powerful forces for Christ on earth. That's something we desperately need right now is that it we need believers whose hope is set firmly anchored in the promises of God for the life that is to come because that will strengthen us boldly to witness and to live for Christ right now that was one of the prayers in my heart when I wrote my book called heaven. I'm excited that we're offering.

It is our special thank you when you give to help promote the message of Christ and the gospel to PowerPoint call today and get Dr. Graham's book heaven is our thank you for your gift. Call 1-800-795-4627 that's 1-800-795-4627 or text the word PowerPoint 259789. Now it's get back today's message one behold your son is that Mary also needed a Savior just like you and me. Mary is not a co-mediator with Christ. Mary is the one and like every woman and every man on earth in need of a Savior. So we never taught in Scripture to pray to Mary or through Mary. We pray in Jesus name, not in Mary's name Mary was at the cross in need of redemption and in the midst of her pain and suffering. She now knows the consequences of sin as her own darling son is dying in payment for her sin as a young girl. She exalted God by saying my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Jesus, God and Savior, and Mary is losing a son, but she's gaining a Savior. Mary at the cross.

But then we see John the disciple near the cross, he tells us in our verses that he, along with the others were standing near the cross. John of course was was one of Jesus closest friends among the three intimates of Christ, Peter, James and John who were often taken aside and given special insight into the power of Christ in the Transfiguration is an example of that in the garden.

They went a little farther with Jesus as he prayed, so John was among the closest of the close to Jesus.

John finds himself there at the cross, but what you need to remember is John wasn't there originally. In fact, when Jesus was arrested and judged. John disappeared like the rest of the disciples say where is that Matthew 2656 but all this is taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled in all the disciples left him and plan and in the love of Christ. He came back he came to the cross in each.

Interesting. There's no words of rebuke to John, where were you why did you leave that only words of restoration and responsibility as he gives his mother to John is an obvious thing to point out that if you run away from the Lord you've been away. Maybe you were ashamed of Jesus or afraid and you melted in the face of opposition or persecution, or mockery, you can come back to him today.

The cross means that you can be forgiven and John came back and so can you. And we came back he was given this awesome responsibility of taking care of the mother of Jesus and John was to represent him. Jesus in the world. Isn't that what God has called us to do. Isn't that what Christ is calling us to do is we come to the cross to represent him in the world to be his hands, his feet his eyes, his heart, we come to the cross where all call as the body of Jesus. The presence of Jesus in this world to assume responsibility as servants of Christ. Jesus said in John 2021 as the father has sent me, even so I'm sending you into the you ever wondered why Jesus didn't give the assignment responsibility of his mother to his younger brothers. First of all his brothers were nowhere to be found because were told in the Scripture that his brothers did not yet believe that's John 75. His brothers did not yet believe in him. They would come to believe in him after the resurrection, and James his brother would give us the book of James, and be the leader of the church of Jerusalem, but after this is brothers were not believers. So watch what happens here Jesus establishes a new spiritual family for his household. He assigned John the spiritual leadership of his home because John was a believer and there is a sense in the body of Christ in the family of God that we are closer to one another in the faith is brothers and sisters in Christ as his forever family is United that we are closer to one another than we would be even to family members who do not know James why we have a responsibility to love and care for our families were going to see in just a moment. It is unique and interesting that that in Christ we have a new family.

This is the living legacy of our Lord. John take care my mother and John did all of his days is said here in the Scripture that from that day forward, Mary went to his house, went to his home. He took a rib and while they were in Jerusalem. Peter and John partnered along with the others. After the resurrection to get the gospel to Jerusalem and then beyond the John became a missionary and church history tells us that John went to Ephesus as the leader of the church at Ephesus and that Mary went with and that Mary the mother of Jesus was a faithful Christian to the end and she died in at this, John took care of his responsibility to one final word that I have from this saying at the cross and that is Jesus the Savior on the cross we see Mary the mother at the cross. John disciple near the cross but Jesus the Savior on the cross. What did he say woman behold your son behold your mother's incredible that while Jesus is saving the world.

He's taking care of his mother while Jesus is dying for the sins of all and loving the whole world for God so loved the world that he gave his only son. He is tenderly loving. His mother and taking care of her as a perfect model for us because none of us not one of us are discharged from the duty and the sacred obligation of taking care of our families, starting with our parents, including our spouses and of course our children, and if Jesus at the cross on the cross could care for his mother, then we also share this holy obligation to our family. As long as we live.

We are to honor our parents, our mothers and our father, and then to honor their memory when they're gone now.

I say this because we live in a culture that that the values and often discard the old but Jesus calls us to do the opposite to include and embrace our loved ones and to care for them. I don't care what kind of mission you may be all you say when on change in the world. Okay, start with your own family whatever cause you may represent your greatest call your greatest calls is the legacy of your own family. No matter what you may accomplish in life, you cannot be considered a success if you don't care for your own back first Timothy 58 the word of God says this but if anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for members of his household, he is denied the faith and is worse than on believe you may be thinking, well my parents weren't all that honorable, and my family hurt me. My parents hurt me ask God to give you a spirit of reconciliation go to your family, work for forgiveness and if they're gone. Respect them enough not to speak evil against give it to God.

Most all of us today can stand to give thanks for those who have loved us, and this is our moral responsibility not away.

Our parents speak to them talk with them. Listen to their tell your parents how much you love and time show to make sure when you come to the end.

Like Jesus, you leave a legacy listening to PowerPoint and in the message you send new management struggles are facing today. You have hope in the promise is awaiting you in heaven. And God calls you to share that hope with others today.

That's why we want to encourage and inspire you today by sending you pastor Graham's book had its exciting that takes you straight to Scripture to help me see all that awaits you in the life to come, and how it impacts your life today to find hope for today encouraged to share that helping others so don't wait to request a copy. Heaven is our special thanks for your gift to help boldly proclaim God's word through PowerPoint to request a copy when you call today, 1800-795-6271 800-795-4627 can also text the word PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our E store. Give a gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotion our website again is Jack Graham.Margie pastor. What is your PowerPoint well. I absolutely love God's family of God. The spiritual family that God has given us. I love our church. I love local churches around the world that are making a difference proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and every Christian should be involved in a Christ exalting Bible teaching spirit filled life giving church and I would encourage you to do that – your spiritual family, but that doesn't mean of course that we don't care deeply about our own families but we ought to care about is connecting Christ in our families and Christ and our church and our families so as Jesus cared for his mother. We ought to care for one another.

Our own relatives. Our own family members and care for the people who are in the family of God.

Jesus said whoever does God's will is my brother, sister and mother so as members of the family of God. Together, we ought to serve one another love one another blessed one another, and that most often takes place in the community of the local church here at PowerPoint we really encourage you to get involved in the ministry of your local church to tithe and get beyond the ties to your local church to support your pastor to pray for your pastor and the ministers on that staff and the leadership of the church to find a job and use your spiritual gift in the work of Christ are just so many things that need to get done and whether is serving at home are serving in the church we are serving Jesus together as I was just saying we encourage you to support your local church. But if you feel led to support PowerPoint beyond what you normally do in your church, then we would appreciate very much your faithful giving at this time we have so many new opportunities. Doors that are opening literally around the world. In order for us to teach God's word daily through PowerPoint so I love about radio is so daily, and daily Monday through Friday. We have the opportunity to preach the gospel to teach the Bible and that's really what I'm all about preaching the gospel teaching the Bible so please pray for me please pray for our church and I'm praying for you and your church as you serve Christ. Wherever you are and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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