TAKE CARE OF YOUR PARENTS

Dearly Beloved,
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PARENTS
"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,' and to the disciple, `Here is your mother'" (John 19: 26-27 NIV).
When Jesus Christ was crucified, many people came to witness the incident. The women that had been with Jesus Christ since the time He was in Galilee also were there. They stood by the cross. Among them was His mother. When He saw her and the disciple He had loved, He made this declaration, "Dear woman, here is your son …Here is your mother." The declaration is an expression of concern for the care of Jesus' parent, even on the cross. The fact that Jesus referred to his mother as "woman" and not "mother" has made some of His critics to accuse Him of disrespecting His mother. However, the expression was common in His time and it was never regarded as a sign of disrespect. His regard for His mother made Him to hand her over to one of His trusted disciples for proper caring. He wanted her to see the disciple as her son and the disciple to see her as his mother, and thereby take good care of her. The disciple understood Him and immediately took her to his own home.
The implication of this declaration is that children should take good care of their parents, even when it is difficult for them to do so. Jesus Christ had earlier condemned the act of neglecting one's parents in the course of serving God (see Matthew 15:4-6; Mark 7:10-13). The fifth commandment had enjoined commitment to parents as a religious duty (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). For a child not to take good care of his/her parents especially when they are old is a sin.
Jesus Christ took care of His parent in His dying moment. Are you taking good care of your parents? Will they be able to pray for and bless you at the point of their death because of your care?
As some parts of the world celebrate the Mother’s Day this weekend, make it a point of duty to take care of, not only your mother, but your both parents. If they are no more, look for people that you can care for in honor of your departed parents. Happy Mother’s Day!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me so that I will be able to take good care of my parents in their old age.
2. Help my children to be able to take good care of me in my old age.
Note:
This message is a partial adaptation of one the parts of the study on THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS first sent on March 19, 2006. You can request for the concise version of the whole study. Write a personal email to me at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!!!