John 19:25

These words contain our Saviour's affectionate recommendation of his distressed mother to the care of. dear disciple. It was an argument of Christ's wonderful love to her, that when he was nailed to the cross, and ready to die, he was more concerned for his mother's sorrows than for his own sufferings.

Now was Simeon's prophecy fulfilled, A sword shall pass through thine own soul also. Luke 2:35 Her soul was pierced for him, both as his natural mother, and also as. mystical member of him her head; therefore Christ applies these comfortable words as. salve to her wounds, even whilst his own were bleeding unto death. Woman, behold thy son.

Where note, he calls her Woman, and not mother; he doth not say, Mother, behold thy Son; but, Woman, behold him. Not that Christ was ashamed of, or unwilling to own her as his mother; but either,

1. Fearing that calling her by that name should augment and increase her grief and trouble.

Or else, 2. To intimate his change of state and condition, that being ready to die and return to his Father in heaven, he was above all earthly relations, and knew no one after the flesh, no, not his very mother; yet, see at the same time, when he was above her, and about to leave her, how his care manifested itself for her, when his soul and body were full of anguish to the very brim; yet all this makes him not in the least unmindful of so dear. relation.

Thence learn, that Christ's tender care of his mother, even in the time of his greatest distress, is an excellent pattern for all children to imitate and follow to the end of the world.

St. John here obeyed Christ's command, and imitated his example: he took her to his own home; that is, he treated her with all that dutiful regard which. tender and indulgent mother challenges from. pious and obedient son.

No personal trial or trouble upon ourselves doth exempt us from the performance of our duty towards others, especially towards our near and dear relations; Christ, in the extremity of his sufferings, accounted it his duty to take care of and provide for his dear mother; teaching us by his example that children ought to evidence that they honour their parents, by taking care of them in their decayed and desolate condition.

Again, inasmuch as St. John took care of the holy mother after her dear son's death; that disciple took her to his own home; we learn, that the Lord never removes one comfort, and takes away the means of subsistence from his people, but he raises up another in the room of it.

It is very probable that Joseph her husband was before this time dead, and Jesus her son was now dying; but still God provides; he raises up St. John to take care of her; he takes her to his own home, and looks upon her as one of his family.

But how comes St. John above the rest to have this honourable service put upon him, and this high trust reposed in him?

Answer, the text tells us he was the disciple whom Jesus loved; that is, in. more particular manner, treating him with greater freedom and familiarity than the rest; he also evidenced more love unto, and more courage and resolution for, Christ, than the rest of the disciples, he standing by the cross, when they got afar off, Mark 15:40.

Thence we learn, that such as are beloved of Christ, as do keep close unto him, and express most zeal and resolution for him, shall be peculiarly honoured by him, and be employed in the highest services for him.