“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” (John 19:26-27)

These striking instructions from the Lord show His love and concern for His mother even when He was dying, for He knew that a sword was piercing through her own soul also, as Simeon had prophesied 33 years before (Luke 2:35).

It is uncertain as to why, when Jesus had various brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55-56), He had to ask John to take care of His mother. During His earthly ministry, “neither did his brethren believe in him” (John 7:5), and it is possible that this had created a problem. If so, at least two of His brothers, James and Jude, later became believers, so perhaps this family division—if such it was—was later resolved.

In any case, at the cross, the Lord did ask John to treat Mary as his own mother, and Mary to rely on John as she would her own son. Despite the fact that John’s real mother was also there at the cross (Matthew 27:56), he gladly accepted this responsibility (no wonder Jesus loved him!).

She was evidently at John’s home on the morning of the resurrection. When John and Peter realized that Christ had been raised from the dead, they hurried “away again unto their own home” (John 20:10), no doubt to tell Mary the glad news. She was also with all the disciples in the upper room as they waited and prayed (Acts 1:14) until the Holy Spirit came to them on the day of Pentecost.

This is the final glimpse given to us in the Word of God of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We see her at prayer, safe in the care of John, knowing now that her beloved son, whose cruel death had brought her such pain, was also the eternal Son of God, raised from the dead, alive forevermore. HMM