A Friend’s Commitment

LIVE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27 NIV).

It is likely that Joseph died before seeing the amazing ministry of Jesus. After His miraculous birth, Joseph’s ambition was to be the protector of his new bride and the newborn. They fled to Egypt to escape the crazed King who sought to destroy the infant, whom the Magi predicted to be the future King of the Jews. 

Jesus was twelve years old at the last mention of Joseph. Jesus lingered behind at the Temple following the Feast of the Passover and engaged in discussions with the religious leaders, not knowing that His family had joined a caravan to return home. When it was discovered that Jesus was not with any of the family members, Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem to find Him astounding the teachers of the Law with His understanding. 

There is no record of Joseph’s passing, but the siblings and mother of Jesus are mentioned on different occasions where Joseph is no longer referenced. Perhaps this is why Jesus felt the responsibility for His mother in His dying moments on the cross. He committed the care of His mother to the only disciple who came to the cross. While other disciples fled in fear, John stood faithful to the end. John accepted the responsibility and apparently looked out for Mary in his own home, “from that time on.”

No wonder this disciple was the one whom He loved. John was near to Jesus. Judas betrayed the Lord, selling out for silver. Peter denied that he was one of the twelve, swearing and protesting that he did not know Him. Other disciples ran from the garden and stayed in the shadows, fearful for their lives. Only John accompanied Mary through the most difficult time of her life, witnessing the trial, the mockery, the punishment, and the crucifixion of our firstborn son. John was there with Jesus, and there for the women. He was truly a committed friend and disciple. 

On the first day of the week after the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene ran to where some of the disciples were and breathlessly announced that the tomb was empty. Peter and John were the first to go investigate her report. Running to the gravesite, they found that the stone had been removed and the tomb was now vacant. The two disciples were the first to enter the empty tomb and attested to Mary Magdalene’s report. The word quickly spread to the others that Jesus was indeed gone from the tomb. 

So many questions must have filled their minds as they considered the things Jesus spoke concerning the resurrection. Could it be true? Had Jesus indeed risen from the dead? All questions were resolved when Jesus appeared in the closed room where many of the disciples gathered. The words of the angelic messenger rang true, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6 NKJ). 

All of God’s promises are true. As the disciples learned, may we also be convinced that Jesus lives and every promise will be fulfilled. 


Theme passage:
“Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you” (John 14:19-20 TPT).