As Jesus was suffering and dying on the cross, He did not neglect His mother”™s needs.

(NIV) John 19:25-27 “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother”™s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “˜Dear woman, here is your son,”™ 27and to his disciple, “˜Here is your mother.”™ From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.”

In the midst of pain and dying Jesus”™ thoughts were for the needs of others: the executioners (He asked for forgiveness for them), for the criminal (He promised life after death with Him that day), and now for His mother (He gave her the loving protection she would need in the days ahead).

When people are ill, usually their focus is on the pain and getting well. Then with some illness there is the real possibility of death. Too often circumstances like these turn our attention inward and away from others and away from God.

The next time you are ill”¦

where will you choose to have your focus”¦