Episode 128 - "Behold! Your Son" - John 19:23-27
John 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 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.
As I began thinking about this text this week, I couldn’t help but think about how John mentions the crucifixion but focuses on his garments and what happens to them with the soldiers. Commentators agree that crucifixion was perhaps the most horrific form of execution ever conceived and people didn’t need it described for them and likely did not want to be reminded of it. I would imagine that if we had witnessed a crucifixion, we would not want to think about it ourselves. However, we do reflect upon it. Every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we meditate upon his sacrificial love on the cross in order to lead us to thanksgiving for his love and “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26)
The author’s point here, I believe, is not to provide an R-rated drama of all the details of the crucifixion in order to shock us. The point is to show again that God’s word is being fulfilled to the smallest detail. The description of what is happening with the garments was prophetically revealed in the time of David and is being fulfilled in amazing detail. It reveals that even some of the smallest details concerning Jesus’ life and ministry are all under the omniscient knowledge and will of his Father in Heaven. I would encourage you to read at least Psalm 22:1-18 and remember this was written long before Jesus walked around in Israel.
What follows this is a description of at least five witnesses besides the soldiers. Jesus’ mother Mary is one of them. I cannot imagine what this must have been like for her. Alongside her are thee other women and “the disciple whom he loved.” As mentioned before, we believe this is the author of this account; the Apostle John.
Once again in this book, people are being told to “Behold!” It is a command to look upon or pay attention. We saw this early in this book when John the Baptist pointed his own disciples toward Jesus and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
I don’t know about you. But, I get so busy at times that I am living life in the fast lane and I’m not paying attention to what is important. Sometimes I need someone to tell me, “Dave. Pay attention!” In his weakness and agony, Jesus told his mother Mary and his friend John to Pay attention! There is something you need to see and observe. Jesus said to his mother, “Behold! Your son.” (v. 26)
Don’t miss this. Who is her son? It’s Jesus. We read a detailed account of this woman in her early youth when the angel appears to her and reveals that she has been chosen by God to bear a son conceived by the Holy Spirit who would be the Messiah. She is the most blessed among women. (Luke 1:48) We revere her faithfulness and obedience to the LORD. However, even she must pay attention to her son. He is the Son of God. We should follow that example, that command.
The context here reveals the more direct and literal meaning here and that is Jesus is telling his mother to “Behold! Your son (John). In his dying hours, Jesus is concerned about others and their care. He instructs her to depend upon John and for John to “Behold! Your mother.” What a beautiful and loving act of someone who is in extreme agony. In all things, Jesus is concerned about us, personally. Let us pay attention to him that we might best honor him and be the light of Jesus to others around us to have so many needs and cares.