John 19:23-30 (NRSV)
Read John 19:23-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. Verse 24So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." Verse 25And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Verse 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Verse 27Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. Verse 28After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." Verse 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. Verse 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Devotion
The writer of the Gospel of John introduces us to witnesses of the crucifixion: three women named Mary, two family members and one of his closest disciples, and a male disciple of Jesus with a home in Jerusalem. They are there so Jesus is not alone as his death approaches. We often do the same today when someone approaches their death. They are there for him, but they also are people who can share what they saw and heard as he gave his life. People being crucified had to hold themselves up by their pierced limbs in order to breathe, but Jesus, recognizing that his work is finished, lets go and breathes his last. Mary, Jesus’ mother, goes home with the disciple who is entrusted with her care. Who is the last to stand and look at his body on the cross? Is it not Mary Magdalene?
Prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for the courage of Mary Magdalene, for her witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection. We thank you, too, for the gospel writer and for many who have carried that witness from generation to generation, and down to us, that we may believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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