JOHN 19:23-27 “WHERE AM I?”
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”
So this is what the soldiers did.
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Two groups are gathered at the foot of the cross of Jesus. One group is represented by the soldiers, the other by the women and John (the disciple Jesus loved). As the man they just nailed to the cross is dying in agony, the soldiers busy themselves with their own self interest. They divide up Jesus’ clothes and even gamble for his under garment. The work of the day is done and they must get on with their lives and redeem what they can from their assignment. This is the way of the world. We are practical people and we live in a culture that requires certain compromises and a degree of self interest in order to succeed, or even get by. The word on the street is that no one is going to look out for your interest if you don’t. Survival of the fittest is the rule – only the strong survive.
The other group is compelled to be at the cross precisely because of the identity of the man being crucified. Any degree of self interest would have kept this group from the cross. Just imagine the utter sorrow of Jesus’ mother and the deep despair of his beloved disciple staring up at the mutilated object of their love and their hope. But they come because of who he is – their focus is on Jesus and not themselves. While the soldiers receive what they expect, his mother and disciple are given the gift of divine love even from the cross. In Jesus’ death they receive the ultimate revelation of God’s love and the example of how they are to love one another in accord with God’s will. A new community is born. It is to be a community characterized by the other centered love that is demonstrated by mutual concern and mutual provision.
Where are you standing today?
Lord Jesus, you died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the whole world, including my self-centered manner of life. Help me to take my eyes off my own agenda and refocus my sight on you. May my life be directed by your command to love and not my natural drive for self-preservation. Amen.