22.121 | The Brave Women | -John 19:25-27 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

John 19:25-27 ESV

25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

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25 Ang mga bagay na ito ay ginawa ng mga kawal. Samantala, nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina, at ang kapatid ng kanyang ina, si Maria na asawa ni Cleopas, at si Maria Magdalena. 26 Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang alagad na kanyang minamahal, na nakatayong katabi niya ay sinabi niya sa kanyang ina, “Babae, narito ang iyong anak!” 27 Pagkatapos ay sinabi niya sa alagad, “Narito ang iyong ina!” At mula noon ay dinala siya ng alagad sa kanyang sariling tahanan.

THE BRAVE WOMEN

It's tragic to note that only one of the disciples, John, was nearby to see His master's death (v,26). Were the others on the hiding nearby? It is undetermined (see Matthew 26:56; John 20:19). Or, were they watching from a considerable distance? (Luke 23:49).

Adding to their shame, four of the five people known to be there were women. In that time, women were dismissed as powerless, weak, and vulnerable to abuses. However, Jesus did much to dismiss these myths. And, even at His execution, these women who followed Him had proven braver than most of the male disciples (John 16:32).

One of them was Mary, the mother of Jesus, who dared to see her son brutally crucified. She could be forgiven for not wanting to watch something so horrifying scene of her son. Most probably, Mary could be mindful about this event that she was told about when she bore Jesus (see Luke 2:35) Jesus saw to it that she would be taken cared for. He told His mom and John, “Behold your son” and “Behold, your mother!”, respectively. That John "took her to his own home" (John 19:27) implied this was a permanent arrangement. It's possible that with Jesus gone, there is no one else willing or able to see to her welfare apart from John.

Scholars are not entirely sure who Mary's sister is. Some believe it might be Salome (Mark 15:40; 16:1). It's possible this person was also the mother of the disciples John and James (Mat 20:20). Mary Magdalene, however, was referred to by other Scriptures as someone Jesus healed of possession by seven demonic spirits (Luke 8:2). Her main contribution to the gospel story, however, will come when she encounters Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:18).

What prompted them to be bold? It’s love as John wrote, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.”[1 John 4:18,19]

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