Let’s talk business :: From the Cross – 3rd Saying

When Jesus was twelve years old, he questioned, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) and on his crucifixion, he spoke seven sayings that are often expanded upon on Good Friday services, all over the world. This series, ‘Let’s talk business’ is a look at the seven sayings of Jesus Christ from the Cross, from a business perspective. Today we shall look at the third saying from the Cross, “Woman, behold thy son … behold thy mother” as recorded in John 19:26-27.

According to BusinessDictionary.com, the term “Merger” is used to describe a voluntary amalgamation of two firms on roughly equal terms into one new legal entity. Mergers are effected by exchange of pre-merger stock/shares for the stock of the new firm.

When Jesus told his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son’, referring to the disciple whom he loved and to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother’, referring to his mother, he was in a sense, establishing a merger between two families into one. This merger was effected by the exchange of his life for ours and after his resurrection, he called his disciples, ‘brethren’, establishing the fact that the disciples who believed in him were part of his family and joint heirs in the kingdom of God.

Points to ponder:
Are you part of God’s family? In other words, have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. In business terms, that would be akin to asking, ‘Have you merged with Jesus Christ?’

John 19:26-27 (KJV)
²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother

“Woman, Behold thy son” and to the disciple he said, “Behold thy mother”. This is recorded in the Scripture as the third saying of Jesus Christ from the Cross. From  cursorial evaluation of this text, it may seem like Jesus was ensuring that Mary his mother was provided for, however, close inspection of this saying reveals certain profound truths and hidden treasures.

This third saying on the cross establishes two facts
1. The brotherhood of Jesus and
2. The sonship of Jesus

Jesus commissioned his disciples to serve one another, but called them not servants but friends (John 15:15) but then after his resurrection from death,  he told the women to hurry and tell the news about his living, to his disciples, whom he referred to, not as friends but as brothers (John 20:17). Now with Jesus, telling Mary, his earthly mom, that the disciple who stood by her (and him), was her son, Jesus was stating that he was more than just a friend to the disciple; He was his brother. What is more is that all who trust in him are co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). In other words, we are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters, and the Spirit enables us to address God as Abba, Father or in other words address Jesus as our brother (John 20:17).

Now, did you notice that Jesus told the disciple who stood by Mary, “Behold thy mother” and not “Behold MY mother”. In fact, he addresses Mary, as “Woman” and not Mother, though he addresses God as Father in his first and last saying from the Cross. His address of his mother as Woman and his statement to his disciples asserts that He was indeed the begotten and given Son of God and not just the child of Mary. The familiar verse from the book of the Prophet Isaiah establishes this fact as well – For unto us a child (of Mary) is born; unto us a Son (of God) is given.

Points to ponder:
Have you trusted in Jesus and believed in Him so that you can address God as Abba, Father and Jesus as your brother? He is the Son of God given for the salvation of mankind.

John 19:26-27 (KJV)
²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  
²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.