Caring for Mom

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

Earlier in Jesus’ ministry, He spoke some very challenging words about family: ““If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). What did He mean by that? You will immediately see the tension here between His words in Luke 14 and His actions in John 19. Jesus cared for His mom, so how could He say to hate her?

We see that word “hate” and have all sorts of reaction to it. Jesus was simply explaining what was required of a disciple. A disciple had to prioritize his love for God over his love for mom. But that does not mean we are to “hate” in the way it is often understood. We should love and care for our mom. Jesus meant God first, all other relationships second. This is critical to understand: when we love God first, we love others better. Follow Jesus example of both putting God first and caring for your mom.

DO THIS TODAY: Care for your mom.