Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
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.