Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother,
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom
he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman,
here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your
mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. — John 19:25-27
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Mary, the mother of Jesus appears twice in the Gospel of John.
The first time is in John 2:1-12 when Jesus turns the water into wine, the first of his signs.
The second and last time is here at the foot of the cross, when his glory is revealed.
When he sees her, he says, “Woman, here is your son.”
Then, to the beloved disciple, he says, “Here is your mother.”
From the cross, as he reveals his glory and the depth of God’s love, Jesus also reveals that God is creating a new family at the foot of the cross.
This family, God’s family, is not defined by blood nor will God’s family be defined by race, or ethnicity, or nationality.
God’s family is all who kneel at the foot of the cross and seek grace, forgiveness, and life.
One of the earliest creeds of the Church is found in Galatians 3:28,
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Sadly, there is still much division along lines of race, ethnicity, and nationality today.
As we stand at the foot of the cross, let us remember that in his death Christ gave birth to a new family that transcends all differences and gathers into one all the peoples of the earth.
At the cross, we all are one.
So that we may discover and live out our membership in Christ’s multicultural family let us pray:
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Donnie Wilkinson
