Today’s letter comes from the desk of Rev. Andrew Spidahl (pastor at Embody Christ Fellowship)…
To the People of God at Central Park, Embody Fellowship, & Rose Park,
“Woman, behold, your son...” John 19:25-27
Maybe like us, some of you have taken a spring trip to somewhere warm recently? Or planning one? (It must have something to do with Michigan in February...)
When we’re setting out, there are always a lot of final preparations, and of course we need someone to look after our ducks. And chickens. And cats. And dogs. And Will, our slightly entitled yet sensitive pot- bellied pig. Of course there’s some anxiety when we leave that everything will be taken care of while we’re gone, and that these special creatures we have come to love dearly will be treated well. It’s not because we’re control freaks, but because we have affection for them. We care. There are always some final reminders and we try to communicate clearly what is most important before we leave.
Maybe there’s some of this in our “Famous Last Words” series – that we are paying special attention to these last sayings before the pre-resurrected Jesus leaves this life because these are important moments.
I can only imagine what it might have been like for Mary his mother, and his closest friend, to be standing near the cross where their beloved was clearly dying.
Were they still holding out hope that he would do something to save his own life?
Were they grieving what they had thought their life together would be?
Were they simply numb with sorrow and faithful to whatever end came?
Jesus, even in the midst of his anguish and physical trauma, makes sure his mother and his best friend are cared for and comforted in their distress. At the same time, he’s gently and tenderly leading them into a new and different future – one where he will not be present in the same way to them.
Just because we are part of God’s crew doesn’t mean we won’t face sorrow or loss. But there is some assurance that there will be new life, new relationships, new beginnings. Receive Jesus’s last words to his mother as God’s tender invitation to you this season not to fight the loss or change in your life, but to trust God’s care to provide for you. Let our Lord give you the friends, family, newness you may long for—but let it be surprising! Let God choose for you.
In it together,
Andrew Spidahl
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Wednesday - Psalm 27:1-6
Thursday - Psalm 27:7-14
Friday - Philippians 3:17-4:1
Saturday - Luke 13:31-35
Sunday - Psalm 121
Monday - Isaiah 55:1-5
Tuesday - Isaiah 55:6-9
Photo by Werner Sevenster on Unsplash