Calvary
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the thieves, was placed “in the midst,” so His cross was placed in the
midst of a world lying in sin. And the words of pardon spoken to the
penitent thief kindled a light that will shine to the earth’s remotest
bounds.
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With amazement the angels beheld the infinite love of Jesus, who,
suffering the most intense agony of mind and body, thought only of
others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe. In His humiliation
He as a prophet had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest
and advocate He had pleaded with the Father to forgive His murderers;
as a loving Saviour He had forgiven the sins of the penitent thief.
As the eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude about Him, one
figure arrested His attention. At the foot of the cross stood His mother,
supported by the disciple John. She could not endure to remain away
from her Son; and John, knowing that the end was near, had brought her
again to the cross. In His dying hour, Christ remembered His mother.
Looking into her grief-stricken face and then upon John, He said to
her, “Woman, behold thy son!” then to John, “Behold thy mother!”
John understood Christ’s words, and accepted the trust. He at once
took Mary to his home, and from that hour cared for her tenderly. O
pitiful, loving Saviour; amid all His physical pain and mental anguish,
He had a thoughtful care for His mother! He had no money with which
to provide for her comfort; but He was enshrined in the heart of John,
and He gave His mother to him as a precious legacy. Thus He provided
for her that which she most needed,—the tender sympathy of one who
loved her because she loved Jesus. And in receiving her as a sacred
trust, John was receiving a great blessing. She was a constant reminder
of his beloved Master.
The perfect example of Christ’s filial love shines forth with
undimmed luster from the mist of ages. For nearly thirty years Jesus
by His daily toil had helped bear the burdens of the home. And now,
even in His last agony, He remembers to provide for His sorrowing,
widowed mother. The same spirit will be seen in every disciple of
our Lord. Those who follow Christ will feel that it is a part of their
religion to respect and provide for their parents. From the heart where
His love is cherished, father and mother will never fail of receiving
thoughtful care and tender sympathy.
And now the Lord of glory was dying, a ransom for the race. In
yielding up His precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphant joy.