Behold Thy Mother

I’ve attended worship services several times at Christ Church, Washington Parish on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. One of my grandchildren was baptized there. Whenever I take communion, or walk to the front of the sanctuary, I’m struck by the stained glass window featured behind the altar, titled “Behold Thy Mother”. The window shows Jesus hanging on the cross, in anguish. Looking up at him, on one side of the cross is Mary, his mother. On the other side is John, the “beloved disciple”.

John’s gospel describes the scene like this:

“When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” John 19:25-27

I’m touched that at such a moment, wracked by pain, Jesus coherently fulfills the duty of an eldest son, providing for His widowed mother after his death.

Mary might have had reason to doubt her son’s love. You may remember a tense encounter during Jesus’ ministry years when his mother and siblings came to speak to Him while He was enmeshed in a crowd. His answer to them?

‘“Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand towards His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”’ Matthew 12:48-50, Mark 3:33-35

Why was Mary there, trying to get Jesus’ attention? Perhaps Jesus’ brothers, who didn’t believe in Him (we’re told) had planned this expedition and shamed their mother into coming - “He’s gone mad! Surely he’ll listen to his own mother and forget this nonsense!” But the whole thing backfires, and Jesus makes his strange comment.

If Mary had any doubts about Jesus’ regard for her, at the cross, Jesus lays them to rest by entrusting her to John over her own sons. Jesus’ brother James and other siblings were probably still hostile and unconverted. In John’s home, Mary could grieve her son with others who honored Jesus as Messiah.

What an extraordinary Savior! At the moment of completing salvation for the whole world, He welcomes a thief to paradise, forgives his tormentors and cares tenderly for his mother.