February 1, 2012
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Reflections from the Foot of the Cross
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 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. (John 19:25-27).
During the last few weeks, my wife and I had been kneeling at the cross and praying. Having a representation of what it was like for Jesus while He was on the cross really helped me reflect on the events that occurred at the foot of the cross. One of the events that caught my attention this morning is how Jesus redefined the relationship between His mother and a disciple.When I read the passage today, I imagined my wife and I, kneeling the cross and Jesus telling me, "This is your wife," and turning to my wife saying, "This is your husband." This exactly how it happened. Jesus told me that she is my wife and He later told my wife that I am her husband. While it did not happen at the same time while we both were physically kneeling together at the foot of the cross, it did happened because we both kneel at the foot of the cross and gave our lives to Him. Our marriage comes back to the cross, comes back to Christ, and to what occurred through His death and resurrection. This comes as no surprise because the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. Everything comes through Him, by Him and for Him. Thus, it is makes sense that our marriage leads back to the foundations of the world for God joined us together.
And, this is the incredible connection that we both have for each other through Christ.
Dear Jesus, continue to direct our lives and remind us that we are indeed at the foot of the cross, that we should put our lives at the foot of the cross and offer them to you just as You offered yourself to the world as a living sacrifice for the sins of mankind. May we continue to love each other through Your power and Your guidance and may we continue to be reminded that it is at the foot of the cross that our relationship began with You and with each other. And, it is at the foot of the cross that we are reminded of You and of one another. Amen.
Copyright 2012 by Christenstein
Comments (7)
Your life in the Lord shall last forever.
Another amazing thing is this. Of all the desciples only one showed up at the crucifixion. All the others were too afraid to show up. And the one that wasn't afraid was already told by Christ he would live to an old age, namely John the Evangelist. None of Christ's brothers and sisters were there either. Most people did not know who Christ was. .
@RighteousBruin - Thank you. :)
@RobertLeeRE - Agreed. My wife and I had been reflecting on the Stations of the Cross, a meditation of Christ's journey to Calvary. It has given us insight and increased understanding of who Christ is and what He had to overcome to make salvation for mankind possible. Not many Christians understand that in these moments, we do come closer to Christ and His journey to the cross.
@Christenstein -
We can use all this to see they were a bunch of scared desciples which supports the ressurection three days later when they were all wiling to go to martyrdom. Yet when we look here, we see they were all scared and unwilling to stand up for Christ, except John the Evangelist of course.
i love this.
"When I read the passage today, I imagined my wife and I, kneeling the cross and Jesus telling me, "This is your wife," and turning to my wife saying, "This is your husband." This exactly how it happened. Jesus told me that she is my wife and He later told my wife that I am her husband. "
" it did happened because we both kneel at the foot of the cross and gave our lives to Him. Our marriage comes back to the cross, comes back to Christ, and to what occurred through His death and resurrection. This comes as no surprise because the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. Everything comes through Him, by Him and for Him. Thus, it is makes sense that our marriage leads back to the foundations of the world for God joined us together."
beautiful!
@YouToMe - Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Hoped you had a great time with Molly and celebrate it with her if you she is still around. Thanks for all your encouragement here. Know that they are always appreciated. :)
@Christenstein - thank you so much
i sure will. I will see her saturday Lordwillingly. She is still in chicago, working a lot and living in the southport/ wrigleyville area. Hope you all had a lovely anniversary and enjoying this unseasonably warm weather. 
blessings and hope in Christ to you both.