Dear Christian friends:

We have gathered here again this evening to continue hearing the story of Jesus' suffering and death. In a way we are like the three Marys and the disciple John of our text who were all standing by Jesus' cross as He hung there that first Good Friday. These special mid week services give us the opportunity to stand by Jesus as He suffers and dies.

It is not pleasant to watch someone suffering pain and death. We can all find more pleasant things to do and it seems that some have done just that, and I can't say that I blame them. Although it is not pleasant, you have of your own free will come here this evening. Why?

Jesus' mother and John, the disciple whom He loved stood by the cross and watched Him suffer. That surely was not pleasant for Mary and John and the other two Marys. Why did they stay there? Why did they not go home? Why are we here this evening rather than at home?

Mary and John stood there by Jesus' cross, because they loved Him and wanted to help and be of service to Him. They simply could not leave Him now although that was terrible to watch.

Mary loved Jesus because He was her son, as any mother loves her children, and I'm sure that her heart was breaking. However, Mary had another reason to love Jesus. She believed that He was also God's Son, the Christ, the Savior of the world. She remembered what the angel, Gabriel told her before when he announced to her that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son who would sit on the throne of David forever.

She also remembered what the shepherds had experienced and related that first Christmas when He was born. She had been present when He performed some of His miracles. In fact, she was present at His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, when He changed the water into wine.

She also had heard Him recently say that He must suffer, die and then arise from death according to the Scriptures. Mary loves Jesus because He loved her and gives His life for her and all sinners. She was there for Him.

John also loved Jesus, not only because the two of them had been dear friends, but because he, too, like Mary believes that Jesus is God's Son, the Christ. He was braver and more loyal than the other disciples who seem not to be standing by Jesus' cross. John was there for Him.

Mary, John and the other two Marys stood by the cross because they loved Jesus and wanted to be of service to Him.

You, also, are here this evening standing by the cross of Jesus. Why? I hope it's not just because there was the soup dinner before over in the hall. Our flesh needs all the inducements we can think up, since it would rather not come. Somehow our spirit has triumphed tonight, and, thank God, we are here!

We are here because we, like John and the three Marys of our text, love Jesus, because He first loved us and gave Himself into sin, shame and death that we might not have to experience that ourselves, that is the wrath of God against sin. We want to be here by His cross because He suffers and dies in our place. "God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Really, we don't want to be any other place than right here this hour, this night. Jesus' suffering is our suffering, Jesus punishment from God is our punishment. Jesus' righteousness is now our righteousness if we confess our sins and believe in Him. How can we not be here.

You know that old spiritual song which asks the question: "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" Yes, we were there when they crucified the Lord. We were there because all men were there for He died for all! If we were there then, we ought to be here now. Another reason why we stand by the cross at these services is to give witness to others.

And Jesus needs us to stand by His cross, not only for our own good so that our faith and love may be strengthened and renewed but for the good of His brothers and sisters. Jesus needs our grateful love and service for His people, just as He needed the love and service of Mary and John that day.

Jesus needed someone to take care of His mother. Since He was dying, and, although He would arise from death, He would no longer be present among His disciples as He had been before. He would bodily ascend into heaven and sit down at the right hand of the father. He needed someone to look after His mother, so He says to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He says to John, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour John took Mary into his own home and cared for her.

It seems that Joseph, her husband had already died, and since they had no other children, Mary would be alone. Mary had no social security, no pension and no Medicare. John served Jesus by loving Mary and taking care of here in her old age. And, no doubt, Mary helped John as she was able.

As Jesus needed John and Mary's loving service, so He needs our love and service today.

No doubt, there are widows here in this congregation who have no sons or daughters to help them in their need. And, although we have social security, pensions, and Medicare, there are other needs that need to be addressed.

The younger men can be as sons to the widows. The older men can be as brothers. The younger women as daughters and the older woman as sisters. By love we are to serve one another, and bear one another's burden.

Next to Pilgrim Lutheran Church for the Deaf, in Los Angeles, where I served the last ten years of my ministry, there stands a thirteen story, high rise apartment called Pilgrim Tower. Pilgrim Tower is a Hud project where retired and elderly deaf people live. Back in the 1960's Rev. Arnold Jonas, who was then the pastor of Pilgrim, organized the Pilgrim Senior Citizens' Housing Development Corporation, which subsequently raised seed money and then obtained a low interest, fifty year loan to build the Tower.

This was a dream of Rev. Jonas' which came true. He saw the need for low cost housing for the deaf widows and widowers who had no children to assist them, so he went to work and got the job done. Pilgrim Tower also fulfills many other economic and social needs of deaf seniors, one being companionship.

Tonight Jesus sees us standing by His cross, just as He saw Mary and John there long ago and He says to us, whom He also loves, "Behold thy son! Son behold thy mother!"

Amen.