Cross to Upper Room: Last recorded steps of Mary's Journey
Daily Scripture
John 19:25-27, Acts 1:9-14
John 19
25 Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Acts 1
9 After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. 11 They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the zealot; and Judas, James’ son— 14 all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
As we end this week’s study of Mary’s life, Miles Steele sent us a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner of The Annunciation that takes us back to the start of Mary’s journey. Miles is a non-traditional student currently studying web design and digital media at JCCC after graduating from KU with a BA in Art History. When he has the time Miles can be found coding at his desk or working on a personal project in the JCCC ceramics studio. To see Tanner’s art with Miles’ commentary, click here.
Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her heart (cf. Luke 2:34-35), which came horribly true as she lovingly, loyally stayed at the cross. And dying on the cross, Jesus was loyal to her. “When Jesus saw his mother, he could not but think of the days ahead. He could not commit her to the care of his brothers, for they did not believe in him yet (John 7:5).…So Jesus committed Mary to John’s care and John to Mary’s, so that they should comfort each other’s loneliness when he was gone. There is something infinitely moving in the fact that Jesus in the agony of the Cross, when the salvation of the world hung in the balance, thought of the loneliness of his mother in the days ahead.” * And she was not left alone. Acts 1:14 was the last mention of Mary in Scripture. Christian tradition said that at some point after this she and the Apostle John, her protector, moved from Jerusalem to Ephesus. How lovely that this last mention showed Mary in a circle of disciples committed to prayer!
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Some in Jesus’ day dodged responsibility for helping parents (especially mothers) by pledging to give their goods to God later. Jesus sternly rebuked that kind of fake piety (cf. Matthew 15:3-9). Even in extreme pain, he “walked his talk” by making sure someone he trusted would care for his mother. How do you think Jesus’ return to heaven felt to his mother? How could the promise of his return have comforted her deeply, in ways that went beyond its importance for all his followers? What might Mary, the apostles, Jesus’ brothers and the other women have prayed about?
- Few of us in our death-denying society want to think about our mortality, and we often put off making a will or other end-of-life provisions. Are you willing to conquer your discomfort to help any who depend on you, or might need to care for you if you became ill? If you haven’t already, make plans that will help your family when you are going or gone. For help, there are quality resources at www.caringinfo.org. And many of the resources Resurrection offers are at Care & Support Groups – Resurrection Church.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Mary’s life journey tested her, and she stayed with you and with your followers. Let her example inspire me to the same kind of determined faithfulness she showed. Amen.
GPS Insights
Dan Entwistle
Dan Entwistle serves as Managing Executive Director for Church of the Resurrection.
How beautiful that even in the agony of the cross, Jesus paused to show such great care and concern for his mother. He turns lovingly to Mary with tenderness before speaking to John, the one who wrote down the words we read in today’s passage. He says to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” And then to his friend, “Here is your mother.”
This is such an intimate and tender moment that it almost feels out of place against the world-changing backdrop of the cross. In this simple personal act, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to a disciple whom he loved and trusted. In his hour of suffering, he did not want to leave his mother abandoned and alone in her grief. This intimate moment reveals the depth of Jesus’s compassion and his unwavering commitment to his loved ones, even in the darkest hour.
Why was this story included in the gospel? What are we to make of the fact that God’s divine drama includes such a personal and tender moment? As followers of Jesus, how does it influence us to know that Jesus took careful notice of his mother’s needs in his own moment of unthinkable suffering? And how does this shape the love and care we will offer to those closest to us?
This moment challenges me to examine my own heart and consider how I respond to the needs of others, especially during my own times of stress and difficulty. It reminds me that in the rush of life, and even when I face struggles and grief, I am to follow Jesus’ example by remaining observant of the needs of those around me. As Jesus demonstrated compassion and care for his own mother, we too are called toward an outward and generous love for others, and to support those in need. Yes, even in our own times of sorrow and hardship.
Jesus, thank you for your love and compassion, even in the face of suffering. In our preparation for Christmas this year, help us follow your example and show tenderness and care to those around us. And grant us the strength to look beyond ourselves and serve as a source of comfort and support for others. Amen.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of John—Volume 2 Chapters 8–21 (Revised Edition). Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, page 257.
