The Value of Family  (or sometimes families do not act like family)

 

John 19:25-27  “Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Woman, he is your son."  And he said to this disciple, "She is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”   NLT

 

Picture this scene from Mary’s viewpoint.

 

  1. The Son she had believed would be a great king and leader of her people
  2. The Son who, from His very conception, has carried the very promise of God
  3. The Son she had dedicated and raised in the church
  4. The Son the Temple leaders had branded an outcast, rebel and sinner
  5. The Son that now had been tried and condemned by both secular and religious leaders
  6. The Son who was now  slowly and painfully dying right before her eyes
  7. The Son who would not sleep in His bedroom down the hall tonight

 

This was a horrid and confused time for her and her family.

 

Today, many families might just write the “wayward” child off as a lost cause – one who is reaping the rewards for going against the system of their society.

 

Not Mary - Not His Tia Mary either - Nor John - His best friend

 

The family of Jesus was right there with Him.

 

  1. Family gathered at a very painful time
    1. Cry together
    2. Support each other
  2. Jesus knew the pain and suffering His sacrifice was causing His mom and family
    1. He could not/would not change God’s plan now
    2. What He was doing had to be done

                                                               i.      For His mom

                                                             ii.      For His Tia

                                                            iii.      For His best friends

                                                           iv.      For us

    1. There was a sacrifice that had to be given
  1. Jesus loved His mom and He loved John
    1. She would have no support or help by herself
    2. He provided for her

                                                               i.      A new son

1.      To care for her and support her

2.      To comfort her

3.      To be nurtured by her

a.      Mothers need to mother

  1. Jesus loves you
    1. Today He wants to provide you with a Parent

                                                              i.      His Daddy can be your Daddy

                                                             ii.      He wants you to be cared for

                                                            iii.      He wants you to be provided for

                                                           iv.      He wants you to know the love of His Daddy

                                                             v.      He wants this for you so deeply that He was willing to experience the anguish of death for Himself and the suffering of His family so you might believe in Him and know His Father.

 

The Value of Family – love, acceptance, support, guidance

The Value of God’s Family – the same but better and eternally

 

A family cares – regardless of the situation

A family loves - unconditionally

A family provides – support, encouragement and purpose

 

  1. You can be one of the Kings Kids from this very moment on.

 

Galatians 3:24-28 “So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians — you are one in Christ Jesus.”  NLT