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Caring for Family at the Cross John 19:26 "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His Mother, "Woman behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." Jesus watched over His mother at the cross. Dying for the sins of the world, He was sure that she be well cared for after He went back to heaven. Where was her family? Nothing is said. There is the assumption that she stayed in Jerusalem instead of returning to Nazareth and John cared for her in Jerusalem. Whatever the situation it is a remarkable gesture demonstrating Jesus' humanity. He did not forget his obligation to His earthly mother. Some of the greatest heartaches I have seen have been home-related. When we respect and honor our parents, it saves a lot of heartaches later on in life. Jesus didn't have to think of His mother but He did despite His agony and pain. As the Son of God cared for His mother in such adverse circumstances, surely we should care for our parents also. The figure of John standing by Jesus' mother illustrates the human compassion we have to all people we are associated with. As we ask who we need to share the love of Christ Jesus says look around you: "Woman behold thy son and son behold thy mother, brother or sister." When we care for people the way would our own family then the love of Christ can flow thru us in unbelievable ways. --- Dan Nelson