Family at the Cross

Families at the Foot of the Cross

When Jesus hung on the cross, His body torn, His strength fading, He still turned His eyes toward His mother and John. With compassion, He said: “Woman, behold your son"… and to John, "Behold your mother.” (John 19:26–27).

It’s striking that Jesus entrusted His mother not to His brothers, but to a disciple. Why? Scripture tells us His brothers did not yet believe in Him (John 7:5). Even in that moment of agony, Jesus was redefining what family means.

At the cross, family is no longer bound only by natural bloodlines, but by the blood of Christ. His sacrifice joins believers into a new household of faith—where bonds formed by His Spirit can be deeper than those of flesh and blood.  

This is a comfort for those of us who grieve unbelieving relatives or feel the loneliness of disconnection. Even Jesus knew that pain—His brothers misunderstood Him, even thought He was “beside Himself” (Mark 3:21). Yet He shows us that in God’s family, no one is abandoned. He provides brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers among His people.

Mary, too, was comforted. She had once lost Jesus for three days when He was twelve. Then, she found Him again in the temple, doing His Father’s business. Now, as she watched Him die, those words must have returned to her heart. Would she see Him again after three days? Yes. The resurrection was coming.  He understood her concerns for the future and made provision.  She was His mother by blood but now also He was her savior by His blood. 

And what of us? The same Jesus who cared for His grieving mother cares for you. He saves us not only from sin, but from solitude. He brings us into fellowship with saints across the ages, with angels above, and with Himself forever.

So today, if you feel the sting of loneliness, remember at the foot of the cross, you are never alone. You belong to the family of God, knit together by the blood of Jesus. And just as He cared for His mother, He will surely care for you. 

Prayer Challenge:
Lord Jesus, thank You for caring for us so tenderly, even in Your greatest agony. Thank You for placing us in a family at the foot of the cross. Help me to see my brothers and sisters in Christ as the gift they are. Help me be a family to others as well. Teach me to trust that You will never leave me alone, but will always care for me, until I see You face to face. Amen.