Jesus Took Care of His Family

What Did Jesus Do?

He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
John 19.26-27

The Son of Man may have had no place to lay his head (See Matthew 8.20), but in the final moments of his life he made sure that his mother would not be left homeless, and that the youngest of his apostles should assume the same filial love and responsibility for Mary which Jesus himself had borne throughout his own life. It is a remarkable scene, and one Christ’s followers do well to note carefully, for as Jesus took care of his family as he was dying, we may be assured that he cares for all who are part of his family now as he lives and reigns in glory.

Let’s think about the moment. Jesus had endured brutal scourging, being nailed to the cross, and the agonies of crucifixion. Yet his love and sense of responsibility for his family was foremost in his mind. This should not surprise us in the least, for the Good Shepherd, who was laying his life down for his sheep, always and forever has their welfare and safety as his chief concern. Mary and John, though they had unique and intimate relationships with the Lord, were at the same time no different from any who are loved by Jesus. Had we been present at the Crucifixion Jesus would have done as much for us. In fact, he has done as much for us.

Consider the Church. The Body of Christ may be characterized as many things, but if it is not family, if it is not His family, well, then the Church is nothing. The Church is our “home away from home,” if you will. Our real and eternal home is with the Lord in heaven. But here on earth, where we are pilgrims, the Church is our home. Or at least it is supposed to be. And Jesus showed us just how “homey,” how familial, the Church should be, as he bound his own mother and his beloved disciple together as parent and child. You can’t get much closer than that!

Church is where all men are supposed to be brothers. Church is where every child should feel as safe and loved with every woman as with their own mother. Church is where no one need ever fear being homeless, for the Church is where every family needs to say to every other family, “our home is your home.” Jesus initiated all this by showing the world that the Church is the place where no widow should ever be alone, but rather taken in and cared for and loved, just as John took Mary in to care for and love, as Jesus had all his life.

Of course, the Body of Christ here on earth is also sometimes referred to as the Church Militant. While this appellation is intended to reflect the vigorous and determined confrontation and disputation between the Church and Satan’s minions, it all too often describes the situation within the household of God. Perhaps you have even witnessed the Church Militant at its worst. Here’s an example I’m familiar with. I visited a community some years back where one can find the Second Presbyterian Church, but no trace of any First Presbyterian Church. Curious, I inquired how this could be. The story went something like this: Many years ago there was a bitter rift within the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, which led to the exodus of a goodly percentage of its members, who duly moved a mile or so away and formed—you guessed it—the Second Presbyterian Church. After many years the membership of the First Presbyterian Church dwindled away to nothing, and that church closed its doors, and disappeared without a trace, leaving only the Second Presbyterian Church. With such internal warring going on, it’s no wonder that, after two thousand years, the Church remains militant.

Now, it did not remain for Presbyterians to come on the scene in the 16th Century for the Church to be riven by internal strife. Even among the first generation of believers divisions and quarrels within the Church belied its commission as the beloved, and loving, family of God. But, make no mistake, Christ established his Church to be his Body, to care for, to love, to nurture, to protect one another just as he cares for, loves, nurtures, and protects each one of us.

Congregations can have choirs that sing with the voices of angels, steeples that part the clouds, programming that crowds the calendar seven days a week, and even pastors who do a pretty fair job of preaching the Gospel. But, as the apostle Paul said, if they have not love, they are nothing. And that’s the bottom line for the Church, and for every church, as portrayed by the act of Christ upon the cross: love, love as Jesus loved. The Church, the Body of Christ, and every single one of us who are part of it, are charged with caring for His family.

Want to worship and serve and love the Father? Start by caring for the Son’s family. That’s what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4