Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
John 19:25 | 25Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
It is hard to tell, grammatically, whether John is saying there were 3 or 4 women gathered at the foot of the cross. The ambiguity is whether Jesus’ mother’s sister was Mary, the wife of Clopas, or these clauses refer to different people. At any rate, it is a small band. The male disciples are in hiding. Three Mary’s and perhaps one other woman are present, along with the “beloved disciple,” probably a way of referring to John. John, the author of this gospel, was one of the inner circle of Jesus, along with Peter and James.
Emotional strength is often manifested when we must face the suffering of others. For a beloved disciple and friend, for Jesus’ mother and aunt, and for Mary Magdalene who had been rescued from the darkness, the death of Jesus was an absolute nightmare. They had the emotional strength to come and endure with Him.
Have you ever had to be present with someone in their suffering?
Do you have emotional strength?
