clane4amson

Q3. (John 19:26-27) Why does Jesus make St. John responsible for his mother Mary? What does this tell us about Jesus? How should we apply this in our own lives? John was the disciple that Jesus loved. He was probably the one who believed in Jesus the most, was probably Jesus's cousin, and he followed Jesus the closest. He was at the cross when none of the other disciples were. We are told to honor our father and our mother and a man is told to take care of his family. Jesus carried out this example. Even in His darkest, most painful time, Jesus remembers His mother. We ought to honor our parents and treasure them as well.

Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief's faith so astounding in this situation? What did the thief receive that day? What do you think this meant to Jesus? One thing that amazes, or intrigues me about this story is that if you read from the other gospels, it seems that toward the beginning of the crucifixion both thieves are railing on Jesus. Math. 27:41-44 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Mark 15:32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. How it is recorded, it seems as though the forgiven thief starts out reviling on Jesus the same as the other one. However, He gets to hear Jesus as the Father to forgive them for they know not what to do. I believe at some point this thief had heard about Jesus, the gosip, the miracles, the good and bad opinions of other people. Then he truly sees for himself the forgiveness and love of Jesus. He may have been thinking that Jesus would never forgive him, but deep down he believed He could. He took a chance and that day he received forgiveness, and a heavenly home for all eternity. Jesus had just been forsaken by His Father, and though God could not bare to look upon the sin, He provided a sense of comfort for the Son when He could not be there.

Though the soldiers carried out the act of killing Jesus, our sins were the true cause of the punishment and death. He bore each strike, gauge, lash, beating, etc. for our sins. Each was the markings of our sins. Jesus' prayer of Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, was for all of mankind, soldiers, accusers and us. I believe He prayed out of love and our ignorance. We can never truly know the height or depth of the love and forgiveness He has shown. He is certainly good to us and loves us with an everlasting love!