Standing Near the Cross: The Women Surrounding the Cross
John 19:25
But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
In a few days we will enjoy one of the greatest celebrations of the year - Mother’s Day! It is the day we honor our very special moms, and the contributions they have made to our lives. The Scripture gives honor to mothers, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. In fact, throughout the Scripture, we find some very special moms standing near the cross.
This passage in John 19 gives us a look at the scene near the cross of Jesus. There is Jesus, the Son of God, hanging on the cross, bearing the sin of humankind. And at the foot of the cross are several special women. One of those was the mother of Jesus. Mary, once a simple Jewish girl, was now watching her very own Son give His life for the sin of the world. It is interesting and important to note that there is nothing divine about Mary. Nowhere in Scripture does she give grace; Mary is a recipient of grace, and Mary is standing near the cross.
There are others in Scripture who drew near to God by faith which, in essence, placed them in the company of those women who literally stood by the cross. For example, consider Hanna, the mother of Samuel in I Samuel 1. Hanna was childless for many years, and prayed diligently for God to bless her with a child. Then one day, she learned she was pregnant and faithfully gave that child back to God for His use. Even before the New Testament, Hannah was standing near the cross, giving her child back to God.
II Timothy 1 tells us about Timothy’s mother, Eunice and grandmother, Lois, standing near the cross, giving their son and grandson for the work of God.
And that brings us to this new blog series, Standing Near The Cross. Over the next few weeks, I hope you will join me as I share the stories of a few special mothers who have chosen to draw near to God in faith standing by the cross of Christ, giving their children back to Jesus for His work. Today, please enjoy this brief introduction to each of them.
Wanda Bicknell
Wanda is my mother-in-law and she is standing near the cross today as she grieves the recent loss of her husband of nearly 60 years. Curtis Bicknell will forever be one of the greatest people I have ever known. But not only Curtis, Wanda is that, as well. She has a deep and abiding love for Jesus. And today, she grieves with hope. Her hope is Jesus, and she is certainly standing near the cross. Be sure you tune in next week to hear more about Wanda.
Kaitlin Smith
Kaitlin my daughter-in-law, married to my son, Will and she is an amazing mother who, by the way, also has an amazing mother, Patrice Patterson. Kaitlin never thought she would be the wife of a pastor or even a church staff member. But today, Kaitlin is standing near the cross of Jesus in faith. I am so grateful to tell you she is the mother to three precious children, who are developing a love for Jesus directly influenced by the way she is shepherding their hearts to love Him.
Anna Wilson
Anna is my daughter and married to Nate Wilson, who also has a godly mother Deb Wilson, who greatly influenced him. Anna took a major step in her life a few years ago, one that altered the direction of her life. As a direct result, she met and married Nate, and today, they have three precious children on earth, and two in heaven. That step of faith Anna took deepened her walk with Christ, and now, as a result, has provided a foundation for her to pass that faith along to her children. Anna is standing near the cross.
Caryl Smith
In a few weeks, my mom, Caryl Smith, will be 85 years old. If you read my dad's story that I wrote last year, then you will know some of Mom’s amazing qualities. With all that Dad went through, financial challenges and her own personal health crisis, Mom found herself regularly standing near the cross. Even in the middle of those challenges, she taught other mothers to draw near to God. I am looking forward to telling you more about Mom, as today, she remains near to the cross.
Gina Smith
I don’t know of a better Christian than Gina, my wife of almost 35 years. She is full of joy, mercy, forgiveness, and vision. She is a true leader of so many. That certainly includes our children and grandchildren, but it also includes many others, especially other young mothers. Her passion has pointed young moms to the cross through mentoring and teaching. But it hasn’t been easy. Yet, day after day, Gina is standing near the cross.
Today, I have a few challenges for you.
Keep Reading
Would you make it a priority to tune in each Thursday to this blog and read about these precious mothers and how they are standing by the cross? I suspect it will inspire and encourage you. Also pass this blog along to someone else that just may need some encouragement.
Share Your Gratitude
Would you begin writing a special letter or note to the moms that mean so much to you? Start on it now, and be prepared to give it to her on Mother’s Day, May 14th. (Husbands, Dads and Sons, this applies to you, too!)
Pray for Moms
Pray for those mothers around you. Pray for her encouragement. Pray for her to experience joy in her continual serving. Pray for her needs to be noticed and met, and do all you can to serve her. Pray for her to draw near to God through faith, planting her feet firmly as she stands by the cross of Christ.