Mediations on the Seven Last Words from Christ on the Cross - Third Word

    "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 19:26-27

     This is, for me, perhaps the most beautiful and intimate moment in this painful scene.  After reflecting on two unique moments found only in Luke's description of the crucifixion, we turn now to the Third Word from the Cross, found only in John's Gospel narrative.

    John describes the disciple Jesus addresses as the one "whom Jesus loved" for the first time at the Last Supper (19:26).  He was the disciple reclining next to Jesus, the one Simon Peter had asked to find out the name of the betrayer.

    This disciple would continue with that designation.

• It is to Simon Peter and "the one whom Jesus loved" that Mary Magdalene breathlessly announces Jesus' body had been taken from the tomb (20:2). 
• This is the disciple who said "It is the Lord!" at the sight of the resurrected Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias fish fry (21:7).  
• He's the disciple who had been rumored to remain alive until Jesus returned (21:20-23). 
• And finally, the writer of the Fourth Gospel declares at the end of the Book, it is the testamony of the disciple whom Jesus loved that has provided the details of Jesus' life contained in John's Gospel.

     And, of course, it is to the disciple whom Jesus loved, that Jesus entrusts the care of his mother after his death.  Even if we hadn't been made aware of it already, this act would have spoken volumes about the love Jesus had for this disciple.
     
     At the heart of John's Gospel is Jesus' call to love one another.  It is the new commandment inaugerated at the last Passover meal he shares with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion,
        "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you
         also should love one another.  By this everyone will knwo that you are my disciples, if you
         have love for one anohter." (John 13:34-35)

     And again...

      "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one

       has greater love than this to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends

       if you do what I command you.  I do not call you servants any longer...but I have

       called you friends...I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." 

                                                                                                                (John 15:12-15, 17)

     The bond of love between a mother and child, as well as the love shared between friends that we see on display in this moment, is built upon the deep communion between God the Father and God the Son,
           "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love."  (John 15:9)

      I'm thankful that this beautiful, tender, painful moment is part of our biblical canon.  I'm glad that the writer of John's Gospel saw fit to include it (prompted, no doubt, by the Holy Spirit).  It is a testament to love's unquenchable and enduring nature.  It's a powerful portrait of love standing defiant in the face of suffering and pain. 

      And maybe its also a reminder, that when we love deeply, when we care more about others than we do about ourselves, when we provide for the vulnerable, we are very near to the very heart of Christ.