Lessons from John 19: Christ’s Concern for Others
II. Christ’s Concern For Others~~~John 19:25-27
Though it appears that much is tragedy tied to the cross, there was and is also much triumph. Jesus selflessly was not so fixed on Himself and His sufferings that He missed out on seeing and fulfilling the needs of others in the midst of his greatest suffering.
In fact, Jesus offered up his prayers to God the Father, not for Himself but for His enemies. As He lifted His head and spoke these words from the cross the soldiers below him were dividing and casting lots for his clothes.
Luke 23:34 tells us that Jesus prays from the cross asking God the Father to forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Jesus was asking His Father to forgive those who drove the nails into His hands and feet, as well as believers through the ages for whose sins He was dying for. And God answers Jesus prayer then and now whenever we realize what we have done (realizing that our sins drove the nails into His hands and feet) and receive the forgiveness and remission of sins that were won for us through Jesus Christ at the cross.
Secondly, there was the confession of faith of one of the thieves on the cross that day!
It appears that as the taunting was taking place and the insults were being hurled against Jesus, one of the thieves who was hanging on his own cross was listening. And from his listening, he was learning that Jesus was quite possibly all that the people said he was and even more importantly, all that Jesus said He was. As the thief rebukes the other thief and asks him, “Don’t you fear God?” “Especially since you are under the same sentence?”
He says, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” And the thief turns to Jesus and asks Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom.” And Jesus didn’t say are you kidding me…now you want forgiveness…now that you are as good as dead…or come on now…I’m concerned with completing my own job right now, I can’t be concerned with the likes of you.
No, Jesus assures the thief that his confession of faith will not only be remembered but also rewarded with eternal life, as Jesus responds to the thief request, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Principle: The death of Jesus requires a response from every person.
What’s your response?
Remember it’s never too late to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
And as the end draws nearer, Jesus turns to look out over the crowd and He sees His dear Mother along with his beloved disciple John and Jesus speaks again from the cross and says to them both, “Dear woman here is your son”, and to John He says, “Here is your mother.” And from that day on John took Mary the Mother of Jesus in and treated her as you would any member of your family. Here we see loss being met by provision. The provision of God Himself through the person of Jesus Christ.
Revealing to us that Jesus was more concerned with the needs of others, His enemies and friends and family alike in His deepest and darkest hours of intense suffering. We too must remember that our families are precious and valuable to God and that while we may suffer God is in control and provides all that we and they have need of! Have you thanked God for taking care of you and your family as to go through hardships and difficulties?
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach