Last Words: “Behold Your Son”
The season of Lent — the 40 days of preparation before Easter — has begun, and Pastor Ken Curtis continues with our Lenten worship series: “Last Words.” Each Sunday until Easter, we’ll focus on Jesus’ last words from the cross as seen and heard through the eyes and ears of those who were nearby. In this series, we’ll also explore one of the characters at the cross and reflect upon one of the seven final statements of Jesus as we seek to understand the meaning of Jesus’ dying words for our lives today.
In this second message of this series, we explore Jesus’ second statements from the cross, entrusting the care of his mother to the beloved disciple. We explore how these powerful words reveals Jesus’ commitment to honoring parents while simultaneously redefining what “family” truly means for believers. As a church, we’ll ask how each of us live into our roles as members of God’s family.
Sermon Reflections:
- In what ways does Mary’s faithful presence at both the beginning and end of Jesus’ life speak to you about perseverance in faith through difficult circumstances?
- How have you experienced the church as an extended family beyond blood relations in your own life? What made these experiences meaningful?
- Jesus entrusted his mother’s care to John rather than his biological siblings. How might this challenge your understanding of family responsibility and Christian community?
- Pastor Ken invites us to make an “I will” commitment during Lent, not just give something up. What is one specific “I will” commitment you feel called to make in response to Jesus’ example?
- How does the vision of God’s family being inclusive rather than exclusive challenge the way you interact with people who differ from you in beliefs, politics, or background?