Journeying With Jesus - 40 Days Lent DevotionalSample

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”  and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

As Jesus hung on the cross, his sayings, thus far, have been others’ focused. He asked for forgiveness for his crucifiers. He welcomed the thief into the kingdom. And in today’s reading, he takes care of his mother, Mary, and his disciple John.

Even in the torture and humiliation, Jesus did not focus on himself. He wanted to make sure his mother would be taken care of. (It’s a well-established fact that Mary’s husband, Joseph, had died by then). Jesus wanted to give his beloved disciple John the important role of caring for Mary. 

Even from the cross, Jesus let go of that which was close to his heart: his mother and his close friend.

Bringing It Home

What or whom I am holding on to too tightly? Is God convicting me of letting go of someone or something and trusting Him for that submission?

Lean In

Father, I know I cling too much to certain people and certain ideas of how life should be. Yes, it’s sometimes scary to let go but help me remember that I’m releasing those things or people to the God who sent his one and only Son to Calvary for my sake. Amen