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John 19:26 says, “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”

Jesus witnessed the hurt and sadness of his mother’s grief and through compassion He informed Mary that He would be departing this world, but is leaving John his beloved disciple to take care of her.

Even though Jesus was suffering greatly he took time to ensure that his mother would not be forgotten. Jesus knew that Mary would undergo a great loss and standing at the foot of his cross was not going to be easy for her to endure.

Jesus understood that his crucifixion was a sharp stab through the very core of Mary’s soul because of her love and devotion to him; not because he was Jesus, but because he was her son and there is nothing like the love of a mother for her child.

Can you imagine someone hurting your child, beating your child, spitting on your child, piercing your child’s body while you are there, in the room and the only thing you can do is watch and be so overcome with grief that you feel like you are dying with your child?

But Mary endured this and Jesus understood that, He knew how much she would suffer. He understood that His beloved mother was not going to have peace because she was witnessing the cruelty of man at its highest height and He was overcome with compassion even during His pain.

He made sure she had someone to lean on, someone that would take care of her, someone she would be able to depend on and that someone was His disciple John.

What a God, what a mighty good God. In spite of all the physical pain and mental anguish Jesus was going through, Jesus, in his dying moments, filled with a tender regard for his mother, He secured someone that would look after her.

What a true example Jesus demonstrated for children to take care of their parents. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land, which the Lord, the God giveth thee.

Jesus didn’t leave Mary destitute, instead he provided her hope and the promise of being with him again. We too must learn from Mary’s experiences that losing someone we love is not the end, but through the power of Jesus Christ we can endure.

The Bible tells us, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

When difficulty comes into our lives He doesn’t leave us hopeless, but he provides joy and peace when we least expect.

Jesus gave his beloved mother the same thing. So when Jesus saith unto Mary, “Woman, behold your son.” I believe He was also telling her, “Don’t you worry beloved mother, I will never leave nor forsake you.”

Be blessed in Jesus’ name.

Mary Simmons is a columnist for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. She can be reached at Marysimmons6@hotmail.com