And from then on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:27b
We've been talking a lot about honoring our parents this week. Today, we must stop and think about those who have become like parents to us and those who do not have children. Are we honoring those who cared for us like our own parents and those who do not have children?
We talked earlier this week about the scene from John 19 when Jesus was on the cross and entrusted mother, Mary, to His disciple John's care. We find in John 19:27 that, as a result of Jesus' command, His disciple John took her in as his own mother. Now, we know that Jesus had siblings, but we also know that He believed that Mary needed someone else to look after her after His death, which is why He called on John to take on the task. From that moment on, John took her as his mother.
This is not the only place in Scripture where we learn about the importance of caring for those who have become like parents to us and those who do not have children to care for them. In 1 Timothy 5, the apostle Paul writes instructions for the church to take care of those who have no children. In verses three and four, He writes, "Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents for taking care of them. This is something that pleases God." In these verses, Paul makes it clear the importance of caring for our parents and grandparents and those without children. As followers of Jesus, doing this is a way to honor them and show them God's love.
Do you have people in your life who have cared for you, physically and spiritually, as if they were your own parents? Do you know someone who does not have children who you can encourage and care for? I encourage you to reach out to them with the love of God. Care for them and provide encouragement that they may need.
Think of that person in your life who has been like a parent to you or someone you know who has no children and may need some extra help or encouragement. Contact them this week. Tell them how much they have encouraged you. Ask them what they need help with today. Remind them how much God loves and cares for them.
Read 1 Timothy 5:1-8 (NLT)
Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.
Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism.
But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
