The Real meaning behind Christmas (Part 3)

[Dr Denis O'Callaghan]

The seven sayings of Christ on the cross are seven windows from which we are able to look into the very heart and mind of God! 

Gentle Readers,

The Third word that Christ spoke from the cross was The Word of Affection

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" (The Gospel of John verses 25 and 26)

A. The end of a human relationship

Like her son, Mary was not unacquainted with grief. At the beginning we are told "And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.( The Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 verses 28 and 29).

And when she saw him, she was troubled in her mind.

What sorrow it must have been to find there was no room for them at the inn ( Just like today there is no room for Christ in the hearts of many.) What sorrow it must have caused her, when because there was no room she had to lay her newly-born Babe in a manger (feed trough for animals).

What anguish must have been hers when she learned of Herod's purpose to destroy her infants life! What trouble was given her when she was forced on His account to flee into a foreign country. What piercing of soul must have been her when she saw her Son despised and rejected by men. What grief must have wrung her heart as she watched Him hated and persecuted by the very people He came to save! {As today Governments and men choose to try and silence the sound of the preborn with their culture of death}! And who can estimate what she passed through as she stood there at the cross.

If Christ was called a man of sorrows, "He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (Isaiah The Prophet Chapter 53 Verse 3)

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Here we find the fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy. In accordance with the Mosaic Law, Mary brought Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord. Then it was the Old man Simeon who was waiting for the "Consolation of Israel, took Him into to his arms and said

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." (The Gospel according to Luke Chapter 2 verses 29-32)

He now turned to Mary and said, "Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2 verses 34-35)

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, We hear so little of Mary the little virgin Girl who accepted the will of God in order that God would enter into the world as we all do a helpless Babe to grow up to save the world from itself. Now stands helpless at the foot of the cross. Who can fitly portray such a picture? Bereft of faith and hope, baffled and paralyzed by the strange scene, yet bound by the golden chain of love for the Dying One, there she stands! Try and read the thoughts and emotions of that mother's heart. Oh what a sword it was that pierced he soul then! Never such bliss at a human birth; never such sorrow at an inhuman death!

Here we see displayed the Mother-heart. She is the Dying Man's mother. The One who agonizes there on the cross is her Child. No mother ever would suffer as she did. His disciples may desert Him, His friends forsake Him, His nation may despise Him, but His mother stands there at the foot of His cross.

B. The extent of human responsibility.

Here we see the marvelous blending of Christ's perfections. This is one of the greatest wonders of His Person - the blending of the most perfect human affection with His Divine Glory. The very Gospel which most shows Him to be God, is here careful to prove He was a Man - the Word made flesh. Engaged as He was, in a Divine transaction making atonement for all the sins of His people (as the Passover Lamb for the people of Israel ) [GOD provided a substitute Sacrificial Lamb to take the place of Isaac in Genesis!

That was the precursor of the Lamb of GOD (provided by GOD) in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of all of mankind! It all has to do with FAITH (Believing GOD)!!! That is the Message of GOD throughout the Torah and the entire Bible, from Adam onward. No more and no less]

Grappling with the powers of Darkness, Yet amid it all, He has still the same human tenderness, which shows the perfection of the Man Jesus Christ.

The care of His mother in His dying hour was characteristic of all of His conduct. Many of His mightiest works were done on the highways, in the cottage, or among a little group of sufferers. Many of His words, which today are still unfathomable and exhaustless in their wealth of meaning were uttered almost casually as He walked with a few friends. So it was at the cross.

He was performing the mightiest Work of all history. He was engaged in doing that, which in comparison, the creating of the world fades into utter insignificance, yet He forgets not to make provision for His mother-much as He might have done had they been together in the home at Nazareth. Rightly it was said of old

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ( The Prophet Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 6). Wonderful He was in His person, and wonderful He was in His work. Wonderful was He in life, and wonderful was He in His death. Let us wonder and adore.

God's thoughts are love, and Jesus is
The loving voice they find;
His life lights up the vast abyss
Of the Eternal Mind.

This is the Love "uncomprehended and and unbought, beyond all knowledge and all thought"- a mystery to the intellect, but heaven to the heart.

-Denis