Scripture Reference: John 19:16-27

Friday Service: As Jesus hung on the cross, naked and humiliated, “his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” stood by watching. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he told his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. In the midst of his suffering, Jesus kept his eye toward others. His concern was that his mother would be cared for. In another scene from the cross, Jesus cries out to God to forgive the very people who were killing him. Jesus’ concern was for those who bore the image of his Father. In the midst of suffering, we typically look for people to comfort us, pray for us, hear our complaints, etc. And this isn’t wrong, but we need to observe Jesus’ posture. Maybe you are suffering right now. Maybe you are going through some horrific thing. Who can you reach out to? Who can you bless today? Pick up your phone, get in your car, and serve someone. Love someone. Jesus “did nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility [he counted] others more significant than [himself]”. Follow his example, and strive after the mind and posture of Christ, even in the midst of your own pain and suffering.