It is a thought which keeps stirring inside of me. It is not a constant and daily thought, but one that resurfaces often.
I am not sure how it began, but once sprouted it would not let go.
We have an aging process in our country. People are living longer but do they have the means by which to care for themselves.
Assisted living facilities are available to those who are able to afford these. They are lovely, providing activities, food, laundry, and care each day.
For others, they are living out their days in nursing homes. Often more like a hospital setting but also providing company and care.
Last week in reading of Jesus’ time on the Cross, a verse struck deeply:
“But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple He loved standing nearby, he said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”
(John 19:25-27, NASB)
In reading this familiar passage, again I realized our country has an aging crisis. The care for the elderly has not been talked about, nor taught.
But here Jesus shows us exactly what is important. Even on the Cross, while suffering and in despair, Jesus cared for His mother, Mary.
He did not let His own pain distract Him from caring about what would happen to her after He was gone. He never neglected those He loved. These verses should cause us to get a glimpse of how we are to have compassion and care for those we love.
Reading these verses should also cause us to realize that Jesus will love us till the end as well.
“Even to your old age, I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NASB)
May the Lord give us hearts filled to overflowing with compassion for those around us. May we be gentle, patient, faithful, and loving so that Jesus will be seen in and through us.
Jesus cared for His mother to the bitter end.
Let’s follow His example respecting age and caring for our senior citizens,
for one day our turn will come.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by DONGHWAN KIM from Pixabay
What a lovely example Jesus gave us in caring for His mother even during His own pain and suffering.
Amazing to me is how it hit me so differently this year. God’s Word is always alive and living and teaching us.
Doing life with my mom in her final years taught me so much about the aging process. Her plaintive, ‘don’t get old, Linda,’ her years of suffering, her unwavering faith in the Lord, have colored and impacted my own aging process.
All I can say is, ‘come quickly, Lord Jesus.’
I so appreciate your comment, Linda. It is amazing how much we see and learn from those before us. You are so right as it changes and impacts us in ways we never realized. Blessings!
Thank you for this lovely post Joanne.
Blessings, Jennifer
❤️
I’m amazed at how quickly my husband and I are moving towards the “old person “ designation. It’s getting closer all the time and I want to do it well, pointing all the time to our true and only hope, the One on the middle cross.
Yes, may we always point them to Jesus.
Thank you Joanne, for the poignant reminder of the value of every life, aged and young. Both my husband and I serve the elderly, vulnerable and dying. I believe every moment of a person’s life has value.
Amen. Each life has value. May we be both compassionate and protective over each life. Blessings to both you and your husband as you serve others!
Joanne, I love how you applied Jesus’s words to today. Another fallout from our fractured families is the elderly. I always loved the wisdom I gained from my grandmother. May we be assets and not burdens even when we can no longer give what we’re used to doing.
It was so powerful to see this from the point of the Cross. Struck me deeply the day I read the portion of Scripture last week.
“Let’s follow His example respecting age and caring for our senior citizens,
for one day our turn will come. ” Amen! Both my parents and my husband’s parents are gone now. What a blessing they never had to go to a nursing home but I know not everyone is fortunate enough to have a caregiver. Even so, we all should do our best to see they feel valued and not forgotten. I especially try to shower love on our older church family each service; but often feel I need to prioritize more time to reach out to them.
I am certain your parents and your in-laws were blessed to be cared for. May we all make others feel valued and remembered. Blessings to you, Jerralea!
So well said, Joanne. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping to read, Diana!
That’s a very touching scene, isn’t it? Jesus showing His care for Mary as He was dying. I remember how my late brother was concerned for his wife before he passed, and wanted to make sure she would be okay. No matter our age, a caring community shows Jesus’ love.
“For one day our turn will come.” That is so true, Joanne. Respecting and caring for those older than ourselves is the good and right thing to do, and when we reach that season of life, we will want the same kindness extended toward us. I love your point that Jesus provided for the care of his mother, and that he also “loves us to the end as well.”