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At a distance - Mary was at a distance as Jesus was dying.
Jesus was at a distance to Mary as he was dying.
There came a time when physically she was within view, but....
Part of him, especially his touch were missing for Mary.
Her touch was missing for him. She couldn't look after him or speak to him as long as she wanted. He felt abandoned.
Mary had the closeness of others who were near her. "Near" the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25) and the beloved disciple...(John 19:26) They mourned with all who mourned there.
When Jesus was still able, he looked after his mother's needs privately, but in public view.
a) Here is your son. b) Here is your mother.John 19:26,27
a) Voilà ton fils. b) Voilà ta mère. - French
a) Ja biri yt! b) Ja nëna jote!. - Albanian
The beloved disciple adopted Mary as his mother.
Mary adopted him as her son.
Was Mary "there" when Jesus actually died?
The disciple took Mary in "from that time on" in verse 27 of John 19.
One verse after (#28) it says that "later" Jesus said
I am thirsty.
on the cross. And later:
It is finished. (#30)
Then Mary did not hear this personally and left before the last breaths of Jesus.
Jesus, in his role of God, had looked after Mary's spiritual needs too. He left her words, words she heard and words that other witnesses repeated to her. He left more words for her need to forgive and go on living with a purpose.
Jesus had said before:
"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"Direct Quote": Mat 5:44 Swahili - Lakini mimi nawaambia, Wapendeni adui zenu, waombeeni wanaowaudhi.
He said:
"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
"Direct Quote": Luke 6:28 Swahili - Wabarikieni wale ambao wawalaani ninyi, waombeeni wale ambao wawaonea ninyi.
When he was missing to Mary,
"Jesus said: 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"
"Direct Quote": Luke 23:34 - Swahili - Yesu akasema, Baba, uwasemehe, kwa kuwa hawajui watendalo."
He left her live-giving and life-sustaining words.
Dear Lord Jesus, be with those that have "missing" dying people. Those under hospital care in another room, those that are held by authorities, those in a quarantine and those in other circumstances that we can not even imagine.
Be with those that fear dying alone and abandoned.
Be especially with those that are now dying alone and abandoned.
Dearest Lord, you prayed for those that despitefully used you. You forgave them, because you realized, that many do not know what the results are of they have done or are doing.
You loved the Centurion at the cross, who "just did his job."
You loved the two who were cruxified with you.
You gave your one-piece garment to a gambler.
You loved all the bystanders and those that came to gawk or taunt.
Lord, we pray for anyone that mistreats missing people.
Please stop abusive behaviour from continuing.
Lord, help any gamblers who are missing for their families and those that love them.
We have all sinned. Forgive us our tresspasses and debts...as we forgive those who trespass against us or owe us debts.
Show your countenance, so that all sinners can choose life. Amen.
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