John 19:25-30. Matt. 27:45-54
JESUS’ mother, Mary, stood near the cross. She came to see her Son die. She was very sorry. She felt her heart full of pain at the sight.
She loved her dear, good Son, who had been kind to her ever since He was a baby. He had never done one thing wrong, and she knew He was the Son of God. Jesus was sorry to see His mother’s grief.
John had come to the cross, and he was standing near Mary. Jesus wished John to take care of His mother, now that He was going to leave her. So He said to His mother, ‘Behold your son!’ And He said to John, ‘Behold your mother!’
John knew what Jesus meant, and he took Mary to be his mother. So after that Mary always lived with him. Jesus loved His mother, and thought of her even when He was dying.
Jesus was full of pain, and it was very hot. He said, ‘I thirst!’ The soldiers took a sponge and dipped it in vinegar. Then they put it on a reed and gave it to Jesus.
Jesus just tasted the vinegar and said, ‘It is finished!’ Then He died. His spirit went to His Father, but His body was still hanging on the cross.
It was three o’clock in the afternoon when Jesus died. He had been nailed to the cross all day. Before Jesus died God had made it very dark, to show He was angry with the wicked people. And God made the earth shake. The people were frightened; and when Jesus was dead, some of them said, ‘This must have been the Son of God.’
Mary beholds One dying there,
Whom in her arms she once did bear
And to her bosom press.
On her He casts His pitying eye,
For who should now His place supply,
And cheer her loneliness?
The loving John shall be her son,
And cherish her till life is done,
Within his humble home:
And oft together they shall speak
Of Him who, once despised and weak,
At last in clouds shall come.
O gentle Lord, how great the love,
Which made Thy tender pity move,
Ev’n in the hour of death.
O let me show my parents dear
The same kind love and thoughtful care,
Until their final breath.
Questions
Where was Jesus’ mother, Mary, when He was on the cross?
Who stood near Mary?
Who took care of her after Jesus was crucified?
What did the soldiers give Jesus to drink?
What did Jesus say just before He died?
What frightened the people just before He died?
How they treated Christ when He was thirsty on the cross:
A verse from the Bible for you to learn:
In My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Psa. 69:21.