Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

At  the Foot of the Cross


Omana Philipose
Epiphany MTC, NY

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”

These verses are one of the most significant verses in the Bible as it is considered to be one of the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross.
Jesus, the Savior of the world and Mary’s first born son, was flogged, mocked, slapped and spat upon, and was hung naked on a cross with nails piercing through His hands and feet. They placed a crown of thorns on His head which they beat into His scalp. He was in dire pain and was quenching of thirst. His body was marred beyond recognition, yet Jesus looked down with blood pouring down His face, and He sees His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby. In the midst of His intense suffering and agony, Jesus showed His love and concern for His mother, by saying to her, “Woman, here is your son.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, though her heart was filled with sorrow as she helplessly watched Her son undergo such extreme suffering, displayed great courage as she stood at the foot of the cross. One can only imagine what her thoughts must have been as she witnessed her son being violently tortured even though He did not commit any wrong-doing.
The courageousness that Mary displayed is a great model for the present-day church. She teaches us to be faithful, unfaltering, perseverant, and trusting in the good times as well as in times of suffering. She displayed steadfast love and devotion to the very end. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross, and in doing so bore her own cross.
It is also at the foot of the cross that we see Jesus planting Mary and John as seeds of the new family of God. This new family was formed, not on the basis of physical descent, but rather it was formed on the basis of spiritual descent. In other words, both John and Mary were united by the Holy Spirit through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This very spirit resides in us as well, and in all those who believe in Him. In fact, the Word of God tells us that He chose us before the creation of the world and predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Therefore, let us empower ourselves to follow the example of Mary, and show steadfast love and devotion to Christ, and to the family of believers. The Bible commands us that “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10) Love others. Serve others. Pray for others. These are the things we are called to do in this world, particularly as mothers. May we always reflect Gods love in everything we do and bear the fruit of the spirit.

PRAYER

Dear God, May the love, joy, and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ resonate within our hearts. May we serve You with all our being and always be knowledgeable of Your forgiveness in our lives. May we be a constant reflection of Your unfailing love and compassion. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The love of Christ enables us to bear all things; so come wholeheartedly to the foot of the cross and we will never be forsaken. 

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