“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy Mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” (John 19:26-27) From the cross, Jesus spoke to His mother and to the only disciple that followed Him to the cross. Jesus, as the oldest son, was being responsible for the care of His mother, a widow, even while in His own suffering.
His unbelieving brothers were no where around, but the disciple John was. So Jesus said to His mother Woman, behold thy son, and to John Behold thy Mother.
Jesus did not leave His mother alone, but provided a son with spiritual insight who, in the place of Jesus, would take care of both her physical and spiritual needs.
But notice that Jesus did not call Mary “Mother” but “Woman“. This is because He was not dying as her son but as her Savior. In order to die for our sins, Jesus had to sever every relationship He had--estranging Himself from His Heavenly Father, from His earthly mother, from His disciples, from everyone! Jesus severed all to become sin for all.
But Jesus made better provision for Mary as her Savior than He did as her son. In short, Jesus was saying to Mary that day ‘while you go to John’s home, I go to prepare a place for you in Heaven’ (Jn 14:2). Her mansion palace in Glory was much better than John’s home could ever be.
Grown children are to care for parents, meeting their needs as best can, even in spite of their own problems. Jesus, as our Savior, will provide better for us than anyone else. He will meet the needs of His people in this life and in the life to come.
