Famous Last Words – Spiritual Family
In the final six hours of His life, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Jesus uttered seven statements from the cross. These were not random remarks; rather, they were intentional, powerful, and deeply personal. One of these statements speaks directly to one of our most profound human needs—connection.
Who Are Your 2 AM People?
Before diving into Jesus’ words, consider this question: Who are the people in your life that you can call at 2 AM? When a crisis hits, when the weight of the world crashes down, who do you reach out to? Do you have those 2 AM people?
Loneliness is a real and growing problem in our society. A Harvard School of Education article, Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg, highlights how pervasive this issue is. The research found that many Americans feel deeply lonely despite being surrounded by people. The lack of deep, quality relationships is just as problematic as the lack of quantity. The American Psychiatric Association reports that one in three adults experiences loneliness on a weekly basis, with 10% feeling it every single day. Even as life has returned to a semblance of normalcy post-pandemic, many feel more isolated than ever.
Jesus’ Words from the Cross: A Call to Relationship
Jesus’ third statement from the cross directly addresses isolation and loneliness. He looks down at His mother, Mary, and His disciple, John, and says:
“Dear woman, here is your son.” Then, to John, He says, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
John records this moment because he was the only disciple present. This statement is far more than just Jesus ensuring His mother is cared for—it is the establishment of a new kind of family. He does not want Mary to be alone, so He creates a spiritual bond between her and John.
A New Kind of Family
In Jewish culture, the eldest son was responsible for the care of his mother. At this point, Joseph, Mary’s husband, is assumed to have passed away. Culturally, Jesus’ brothers should have been present to take on this responsibility. But they weren’t there. Why?
John 7:5 tells us that even Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him at the time. Maybe they thought their brother was crazy. Maybe they were afraid to be associated with Him. Regardless of the reason, they were absent in His moment of greatest suffering. But John was there. John, not connected by blood but by faith, was present. Jesus, in this moment, redefines family—not by biology but by spiritual connection.
The Church: Jesus’ Answer to Loneliness
This was the beginning of the Christian community. Jesus laid the foundation for what would become the Church—a family formed not by birth but by belief. In Acts 2:43-47, the early church functioned as this kind of spiritual family, meeting needs, sharing life, and supporting one another in every way.
Today, 2,000 years later, this concept is just as critical. Some of us were blessed with strong biological families. Others grew up in broken, dysfunctional homes. None of us had a choice in the family we were born into. But Jesus tells us that we do have a choice in our spiritual family.
Jesus made it clear: “Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:35) The Church is meant to be a place where deep relationships are formed, where no one has to walk through life alone.
What This Means for Us Today
- We Are Wired for ConnectionEvery human being desires to know and be known. We long for relationships where we are loved and accepted despite our flaws. But fear of rejection often leads us to hide parts of ourselves. Yet, God designed the Church to be the answer to our relational needs. Paul describes it in Romans 12:5: “We are all many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
- The Church is the Solution to LonelinessJesus made sure Mary was not left alone, and He calls us to do the same for one another. The Church should be a place where people find their 2 AM people—those who will walk with them through life’s joys and struggles.
How to Build Deep Relationships in the Church
- Join a Group – Small groups, men’s and women’s ministries, care groups, and other communities within the church help foster deeper relationships. Whether it’s a Bible study, a grief support group, or a parenting class, there are numerous ways to get connected.
- Serve on a Ministry Team – Some of the strongest relationships are formed through serving together. Working alongside others to make a difference builds bonds that go beyond surface-level interactions.
- See People Through Jesus’ Eyes – Even in His suffering, Jesus focused on the needs of others. When we start looking beyond ourselves and seeing the hurting, lonely, and broken people around us, we begin to live out the spiritual family Jesus created on the cross.
Who Needs You to Be Their 2 AM Person?
Maybe you already have your 2 AM people. Maybe you don’t. But have you ever considered that someone in your spiritual family might need you to be their 2 AM person? Building meaningful relationships isn’t just about receiving support—it’s also about offering it.
So, what can you do today to deepen relationships within your spiritual family? Maybe it’s introducing yourself to someone new. Maybe it’s inviting someone to your small group. Maybe it’s being intentional about seeing and supporting those around you.
Jesus knew that we needed more than just acquaintances—we needed family. And He gave us the Church to be that family. Let’s live that out together.