What Jesus Did! 'Family at the Foot of the Cross' — John 19:25-27

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
— John 19:25-27 NLT

Key Thought

We find our spiritual family at the foot of the cross. Jesus' death brings us all together, destroying any and every barrier that would keep us from coming home and being family with each other.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, bind us together as your church into your family. Together, as we look at the cross and what it should mean to us, we commit to living as that family. Unify us as we all draw more closely to your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

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What would Mary have thought in such painful times? Phil Ware writes a meditation on what Mary may have thought as she stood at the foot of Jesus' cross as he died, using the theme of wood in his life to connect the story.
See All 7 Related Resources about John 19:25-27

Illustration

Illustration of John 19:25-27 NLT — "Dear woman, here is your son." —— "Here is your mother."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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