Mother

One of the last things Jesus did during his life was to ensure that his mother would be taken care of when he was gone.  Women had very little standing in his society, and without her son to care for her, Mary would have been left without a source of support.  By passing the responsibility for her welfare to his disciple, John, Jesus was caring for his mother in the most fundamental of ways.

But there was more to the story.  His disciple had been traveling with Jesus for three years.  He was unemployed, his teacher was dying on a cross, and they had very little money with which to continue the ministry, to say nothing of providing for physical needs of others.  Mary had many other children in whom Jesus could have entrusted her care.  Why choose one who, at least on the surface, would not be capable of providing for her?

I think the answer lies in the spiritual realm.  Just as Mary was taxed with bringing her child up in the faith and teaching him the ways of God, Jesus was trying to give Mary the spiritual bread of life by choosing someone who would sustain her spiritually.  It is the highest calling of a mother to provide her child with the tools of survival, and faith in God is the key to the toolbox of eternal life.

Today I am grateful for a mother who has taught me the true foundation of faith and salvation. She has given me the keys to the Kingdom.  It unlocks the way to eternal life.