The Gospel of John Lesson 86 (11-02-14) John 19:25-7

The Gospel of John Lesson 86 (11-02-14)

Lesson 86 – John 19:25-7

In John 19:25-27 we find some of the most powerful words spoken by Jesus in the Bible. They were spoken to Mary saying, ‘Woman behold thy son’ and to John saying ‘Behold thy mother’! It is interesting that I find very few Bible teachers and commentators pause to highlight the truth and the fullness of this passage and its meaning. That may be because in reality they/we do not know what to do with it. Maybe it’s because it asks too much of us or it may seem unrealistic to apply in a fallen world.

What do these passages refer to? What is the significance of what Jesus spoke here to Mary His mother and John the apostle? What did Jesus mean, and, really what was Jesus saying when He told Mary that John was her son and telling John that Mary was His mother?

I find that this passage has a lot in practice and principle to do with the practical application of the Good Samaritan. It has a lot to do with ‘going the extra mile’, taking risks, being accountable…putting into practice the reality of one’s faith…where the rubber meets the road. Of such, was the early Church, Acts 2:42-6.

In reading a number of commentaries by reputable scholars I find that they seem to get hung up on who was there at the time that Jesus spoke these words, v. 25. Or… they pass this lesson and final message of instruction from Jesus completely by, highlighting Jesus’ actual final words on the Cross instead.

As important as Jesus’ final words on the Cross are, if you stop and think about it Jesus’ final instruction to us and those who follow Him was just before the very last words that He spoke. Usually someone’s last words are the most important. They are the thing or thought that they want to leave you with. The last words that someone would utter are the thing that that person would like those that they love or that are important to them to remember or to do.

So what did Jesus mean or want to convey to us in these final words. Obviously being His last words to those present, and probably meaning this for us in the Church also, what He would say would be significant. So why is this passage not highlighted as one of the most significant, or, the most significant passage in the Bible, or, at least in the Gospels? I believe it is because its message and practical application of what Jesus said is hard to actually believe, and/or fully receive. To receive what is said here, putting it into practical application and making it a part of our life, is a huge step for us. It asks a lot of us in practical application. However, as we will see the early Church got His meaning!

Some might look at and highlight this passage saying that it was a call to duty, and, they would not technically be wrong. Jesus in saying what He said was telling them to do something specific. He was asking them to see each other as family and treat each other accordingly, as being a blood relative of our own family. However, even though that is a part of what Jesus meant and said here in this passage, I believe that the meaning of His request goes even deeper than this. Understanding and applying His meaning is essential to honoring His request. I believe that this passage refers to belonging…belonging to a family, but, not just any family. I believe that Jesus’ request was to be accountable and care for God’s Family, the Family of God…His Church.

We all want to belong. We want to belong to something. Sometimes it is amazing what we will join just to belong. It is a basic part of who we are. God made us that way. Psychologists say that the thing that we fear the most is abandonment… being alone, not belonging to someone or something. Being alone or isolated for too long can have devastating effects. We all have a strong sense of wanting to be socially connected. And, not just being loosely attached ,hanging out on the periphery, but being an intimate part of those that we identify with. The strongest of these bonds is belonging to a family.

However, even though we have a strong drive to belong to those we love or want to identify with, we are reluctant to so. We give the excuse that we like our privacy. But, in reality we know that having intimate relationships and belonging costs us, And we are not often willing to pay the price that it costs to belong. The cost of belonging is being vulnerable, being honest, being trustworthy and being transparent, honestly, it is being willing to trust others.

Jesus in telling Mary to see John as her son and John to see Mary as his mother reminds us that in the ‘real world’ of the Church that we are supposed to have intimate relationships with those in the Church and not just occasional social encounters. Quite often we treat the Church and Church work or commitment more as a social responsibility than being a part of God’s Family, really caring while meeting one’s need.

The early Church got the message. It is interesting that some would say that the Early Church had its beginnings here in these passages. They functioned as a family. They most often met in homes or were found gathering where they lived and worked. Their faith and perspective was demonstrated in their actions and activities being evident by their meeting together frequently. They were more than just acquaintances. They lived life together. Any reason was a good reason to meet together. It mattered what was going on in another person’s life. Needs were not just needs that needed a quick fix or patch. It was a person with a need.

This is a concept that is all too often passed over in our present Church culture. We tend to live isolated lives only allowing controlled and managed encounters with other members of God’s family. We are willing to come together for a task or service, but that’s all. To meet together to be with each other… well that is a different story. It is easier for us to join God in what we perceive is His work, apparently thinking that we can earn a status or place with God while shunning fellowship with Him and His family in the process.

This was the approach and attitude of Cain. He offered his works to God which was not only rejected by God, but condemned by Him. In Cain’s offering, he denied the fellowship with God that God was offering to him. For Cain, like most of us, as hard as it is to admit it, it was easier to give an offering of works than it is to accept God’s offer of fellowship and forgiveness thru His sacrifice. To receive this gift of Family and fellowship one has to admit their need for God and His work found in His sacrifice on the Cross and in the process give up our self or self-righteousness. Jesus in the Gospels says that there is no other way.

There was a term used for the type of fellowship that we find Jesus referring to here in this passage (John 19:25-7) and that we find the early Church soon demonstrate and experience. It is called Koinonia. Koinonia is a transliterated form of the Greek word, κοινωνία. The dictionary definition defines it as a communion, joint participation; the share which one has in anything, participation, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, etc. However, I define it as ‘belonging’. In God’s Kingdom there are no orphans. Everyone belongs and is not just a part of a family, but is a part of His Family, all owned and belonging to Him.

The early Church got it. In practice they got what Jesus had said to Mary and John. Quite likely the early Church got its start in true Biblical community, koinonia, from Jesus’ words here in this passage. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Ephesians 1:5, ‘Having predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will’. And He goes on to say in v. 13 of chapter one that ‘we are sealed’ into this family, and not loosely attached, but sealed into His own family by the most powerful bond possible, being sealed by Himself, or His Holy Spirit.

Incorporated in this is the principal that Jesus shared with His disciples is Mt. 10:39 where He told them that in order to find our life we have to lose it for Christ’s sake adopting His will and ways instead of our own. It is also found in the meaning of what Jesus shared with His disciples in John chapter 15 where He told them that real life and the ability to bear real fruit that pleases God and is beneficial to the Kingdom was found in abandoning our self-centered and selfish ways and adopting and abiding in His ways. This was what Cain was unwilling to do. By his actions and response to God Cain was telling God that God needed him instead of him needing God.

There is a great passage in the beginning chapters of the book of acts. In the beginning of the book of Acts what we refer to as the early Church was fresh and focused.  The practical application of their faith was simple, but in no time in the Church’s history was it more powerful. It took the resurrection of Christ to move or motivate them to action however. Prior to Christ’s resurrection they had put many of Christ’s principles and teachings on the shelf for at least the moment. But, His resurrection changed all of that. Knowledge and validating His resurrection supercharged the Church. In their mind and heart only Christ mattered.

In the second chapter of acts we see a demonstration of the power of God. Peter preaches a powerful message empowered by the Holy Spirit coupled with boldness which produces much fruit for the Kingdom. It tells us in v. 41 of Acts chapter 2 that because of this Spirit filled message about 3000 souls were added to the Church that day. But, look what follows as a result of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In v. 42 it tells us that this outpouring of the Spirit was not just a surface emotional response, but that it produced instant fruit. It says in v. 41 of Acts 2 that they not only made a profession of faith, but they followed it up by being baptized and in v. 42 by exhibiting Christian actions and virtues of the faith.

Look at what it says in v. 42 that they did, seemingly, immediately after their conversion and baptism. It highlights 4 practices that they did consistently or on a daily basis. In looking at these it may surprise us as to what some of them are. Dr. Luke tells us that they were steadfast in studying and applying the apostle’s doctrine and teachings, this would be equivalent to studying and applying the Scriptures for us, had a very high priority as part of and practicing their faith in meeting together or koinonia fellowship which included meeting each other’s needs, followed by communion or referred to here as the breaking of bread and last but not unexpected as one of their important priorities and focus was frequent, consistent prayer. In this list I see two of the practices as what one might expect as essentials practices of the faith, but, in our current culture, I see the other two listed essentials of the faith that were listed as would be surprises to us in our day.

It is interesting that listed in the number two position was fellowship. I do not think that this was an accident by Dr. Luke. I believe that he placed fellowship in one of the highest positions for a reason, and I believe that this is what Jesus was referring to in our passage here in John chapter 20 verses 25-7.

However, if we were to read on from our Acts 2:42 passage that the type of fellowship that Dr. Luke was referring to was exactly the type of fellowship and responsibility that Jesus had instructed Mary and the Apostle John in. It tells us in John 19:27, because of what Jesus had told them, John took Mary to his own house and his family cared for her, and she, Mary, cared for them.

 It is interesting when we read the passage in Acts 2, verse 42 and beyond that what they referred to as fellowship included acts such as John’s response to Jesus’ words. By Jesus saying what He did to Mary and John he placed caring fellowship as one of the highest priorities of the Christian Church.  It is unfortunate that by our practice we put fellowship in the fashion of the early Church as an option and not an essential, can’t do without element. Consider this. It is my conviction that Biblical fellowship is not only one of the essentials of the Church, but that there is no more powerful witness to the world of Jesus’ existence and their need for the Savior than this.

 Jesus told His disciples in John 13:35 the following, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ Jesus knew that Christian fellowship would be one of the essential not only as a witness to a lost world, but also be one of the most powerful tools to draw a lost world to the faith. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.