Woman, here is your son.  Here is your mother.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands at the foot of the cross wondering why it had to end like this.  But then she remembered how it all began.  There in Nazareth, she was visited by the angel Gabriel asking her not to be afraid but to carry the child that would become the savior.  Even before Jesus’ birth, Mary proclaims Jesus as the son of God – and, while I’m not sure that Gabriel asked it in the form of a question, Mary’s response was, “Here am I, a servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  With that conversation behind her, knowing she is carrying a special child, Mary sets out to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant.  Immediately, when Mary greets Elizabeth, the child leaps in Elizabeth’s womb and she, too, is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus, even prior to his birth brings his power to those who believe.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands at the foot of the cross wondering why it had to end like this.  But then she remembered how his birth took place.  At his birth, Jesus frightens those who see him as a challenge to authority and power and changes those who have the vision to follow him.  Shepherds and wise men find him and are changed but Herod seeks to have him destroyed.  Mary treasured these things and wondered what they might mean. 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands at the foot of the cross wondering why it had to end like this.  But then she remembered when she and his father took him to the temple for his dedication.  At his baby dedication, Simeon and Anna said great things about Jesus and Simeon spoke directly to Mary and said to her, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”.  At the foot of the cross on this day looking up at her son – “and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”[1]  “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands at the foot of the cross wondering why it had to end like this.  But then she remembered how years later after his dedication, when Jesus was twelve, he was accidentally left behind in the temple, Mary scolds him for frightening them and he explains that they should have known that he would be about his father’s business in his Father’s house and again, Mary treasures this in her heart.  Hanging on the cross on that Friday noon– Jesus is still about his Father’s business. 

From the foot of the cross, she may have remembered the wedding in Cana. There, Mary pushed Jesus into his first miracle, for she was an early believer in his power.  He turns water into wine at her request but tells her that his “hour has not yet come.”  Mary carried that statement in her heart and wondered what it might mean for he was so young and full of promise.  But now, from the foot of the cross, it began to make sense to her however painful it was to lose this son of hers – now his hour had come.

From the cross Mary wonders why it had to end like this but likely remembers the moment that Jesus widened his family to include those beyond those normally thought of as family.  Mary and family come to see Jesus and it is reported to Jesus that his family is outside.  It must have been striking for the family to hear but it was time for Jesus to give new definition to “family.”  The family is widened – “those who do the will of God are my true family.”  Even early in his ministry, Jesus set the stage for this moment on the cross when he welcomes those on crosses beside him.  From the foot of the cross where she stands with family and the closest of friends and wonders why it had to end like this, Mary likely remembers the words – “those who do the will of God are my true family.” 

Then, there was the “beloved disciple,” who many believe to be John, standing with Mary at the foot of the cross wondering too, why it had to end like this.  By his very presence on this day, when all of the other disciples had fled, he was demonstrating friendship and perhaps some courage.  This is the same “beloved disciple” who, just last night at the Passover meal, had been seated next to Jesus.  Just last night at supper he heard Jesus say, “where I am going, you cannot come but I give you a new commandment that you should love one another as I have loved you.”[2]  So “the beloved disciple,” from the foot of the cross begins to understand.

The stage for this third word from the cross has been set then – from the earliest days of Jesus’ ministry – perhaps even from the first visit from the angel Gabriel to Mary.  From the cross, looking down on those closest to him, experiencing the pain of the death by crucifixion, Jesus has already forgiven those who do this to him and assured those being crucified on either side of him that they will be with him. 

Now, in this third word – in this third act of love from the cross – he creates a new relationship between John and his mother, Mary.  Not only from the cross does Mary lose her son, but Jesus gives the care of her mother – the duty of the son – to his good friend, John.  “Woman, here is your son, here is your mother.”  And we know that immediately – from that hour – John took her into his home. 

This afternoon, as we gather to remember the suffering of Christ, I wonder if Jesus’ instruction in this third word and the response of Mary and John might be instruction to us as well.  In this hour, we are at the foot of the cross standing across the centuries with Mary and John.  You who come together today along with others who gather in other places – hear the word to you in this third word – you are a part of my family, honor me by your love for one another – lift me when I am gone from you by your care for one another.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands at the foot of the cross wondering why it had to end like this.  But then she remembered how it all began – how the life of her son was lived – and now how it ends. She knows it ends like this so that the generations to come might find life and true community.  May the instruction to John and to Mary to become a new family be our life lived.