Day 315: John 19, 20 and 21

[Jesus] said to [his mother], “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26,27).

In his wonderful book How to Live Through a Bad Day, Pastor Jack Hayford uses the seven last words of Jesus (Jesus’ seven last statements from the cross) to show how the Savior made it through his worst day, and how we can make it through our bad days too [3].

At one point, Jesus sees his mother standing there. In spite of what he was enduring, as her oldest son, Jesus still honored his duty to make sure his mother would be cared for after he was gone. Most of us would think, I’m having a bad enough day without having to take responsibility for anyone else! Not Jesus. He didn’t forget that those closest to him still had needs regardless of how bad a day he was having.

How many times have I spoken impatiently to my wife and kids, allowing my selfish needs to trump theirs? How many times have I, in the middle of my hectic schedule, passed by someone in need while I hurried off attending to church duties? I must take a lesson from Jesus and realize if he could arrange for his mother’s care while suffering on the cross, then I can be patient with and caring for others even when I’m having a stress-filled day.

That’s easier said than done. The only way I can do that is to stay close to God, to hide myself in the cleft of the rock (Exodus 33:22), to rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). Come to think of it, that might also help me have fewer bad days.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Is there someone you’ve been neglecting while having a bad day? What can you do for them?