Accepting the Role of Mother

Anna M. Jarvis first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother's favorite flower) to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother's Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. He established the day as a time for "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honor departed mothers and red to honor the living, a custom that continues to this day.

I believe according to Proverbs 31, that especially when it comes up to Godly mothers we should be constantly celebrating and praising them.

Proverbs 31:28–31 KJV 1900

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates.

This year as I was praying and considering a passage of scriptures to challenge and encourage our mothers I couldn’t choose just one. Therefore, I am choosing one mother with 4 passages showing us that motherhood is lifelong.

It is a process of discipleship and growth.

Since we have started a new series on the Journey of Life studying the life long pursuit of faith on the part of Abraham, I want us to keep this idea from that series of a Journey of Life that it is lifelong, portraying faithfulness, always growing and maturing, but never out of the love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, is a portrait of a faith that matures from a young girl to a disciple at the foot of the cross.

No matter where you are in your journey as a mother, there is always room for reflection, improvement, correction, and growth.

Let’s begin this journey by having you understand first of all that MOTHER’S

You are Favored

Motherhood is a gift from God. There is no such thing as an accident when it comes to the creation of child.

Psalm 139:13–16 MEV

13 You brought my inner parts into being; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me unformed, yet in Your book all my days were written, before any of them came into being.

It may have been poor planning on your part, but it was no accident because God was there.

Notice how this played out in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Luke 1:26–38 KJV 1900

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

No mother is up to the task of rearing children. However, every mother is favored. God’s favor is resting on you if you are obedient and willing to serve.

Mary Trusted.

Trusting requires Humility.

You must be willing to humble yourself to

Ephesians 6:4 KJV 1900

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The context of this passage is the Honoring of father and mother by children when it comes to obedience.

The Father is mentioned as the spiritual leader of the home but the responsibility is for both parents.

Nurture = discipline and training of the Lord.

Admonition = instruction, especially the dangers and unpleasantries of sin and disobedience.

As Mary brought into this world the Savior of the world, as a mother, you also play a huge part in the salvation of your children.

1 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Even though you had a part in the sin upon the human race that is passed through the man to every individual born. Understand, you are the one that births that little sinner. However, God has given you a glorious responsibility in bringing that little sinner into the presence of Jesus Christ, the son of Mary to be changed into a saint because of His death on the cross of Calvary.

Therefore, as a mother, You are Favored.

Mary Submitted.

God’s Favor requires Meekness.

Meekness = Strength Under Control. The Under Control of Someone or Something else. Submission.

Luke 1:38 KJV 1900

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

a. The word handmaid (doule) means slave-girl. Mary was saying that she was a bond-slave, willing to sell herself out completely to God. She would possess herself no longer but would give herself completely to God.

b. God’s Word was her will. She surrendered totally to obey God. She would serve as He willed, being completely obedient and fulfilling His purpose entirely. She would act “according to Thy Word.”

Imagine what Mary was thinking, the enormous depth of her trust and dedication to God.

However with that Favor, MOTHER’S will need to be Faithful.

You are Faithful

Now we come to the teenage stage. Several years have passed from the time that child was conceived until the time they become teenagers or young adults.

In this next passage of scripture, Mary teaches by example that all mothers worry about the path their children take.

However, she also shows the value of considering the work of God and trusting in His timing.

Luke 2:41–52 KJV 1900

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Studying this passage of scripture reveals to us first of all

Mary’s Dedication to Faithfulness.

Luke 2:41–42 KJV 1900

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Understand, it was the men, over the age of 20 that was required to go to Jerusalem for passover, but noticed the faithfulness of Mary to go with her husband and to take her child and later children with her.

Continual emphasis and effort has to persist while having faith that the seeds planted will later sprout.

Which also reminds us of

Mary’s Patience in Faithfulness.

Luke 2:48 KJV 1900

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Can you image your son not being where you think he should be? However, in this case her dedication was tested and she needed to have patience to trust the working and timing of God.

Patience is the hardest thing in walking by faith rather than by sight.

Romans 5:3–4 KJV 1900

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Patience has to be experienced before we can understand the experience we are experiencing to ever begin to have hope.

James 1:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

When we are Dedicated and Patient, the third thing in Faithfulness is

Mary’s Realization of Faithfulness.

Luke 2:49–50 KJV 1900

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Luke 2:51 KJV 1900

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Notice something in the obedience of Jesus that reflects on His mother’s faithfulness.

Jesus went down with them and was subject unto them.

No matter where you are in your motherhood, be encouraged this morning by the fact that your steadfast love and guidance will influence your child’s understanding of God’s call and purpose for their life.

MOTHER’S

You are Favored

You are Faithful

and thirdly

You are Forceful

The next stage we see is when Jesus has now become an adult.

All the years of your faithfulness should now be ready to be put on display through your child. Even though your kids are grown, you are still their mother, which means you are still favored, you are still faithful and you are to be forceful.

By forceful, I mean you have influence upon that child.

The old saying is “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!”

John 2:1–11 KJV 1900

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Mothers, you have the influence and the power to inspire, shape decisions, and even bring about divine intervention in times of need.

When you are faithful, you can inspire your children to trust and obey Jesus Christ with and through their lives.

Mary’s Concern.

John 2:3 KJV 1900

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

The need that arose was extremely serious, for the wine was already gone and the celebration had just begun. There was a whole week of celebration yet to go. The couple was to have open house and to provide the wine and refreshments for the week. What were they to do? The importance of wine in the Middle East must always be remembered. Good, germ free water was scarce, and it was used only when necessary. Wine was used as a drinking substitute.

There was a critical need, a predicament that was going to affect everyone involved. ⇒ The joyful spirit of the guests was to be dampened. ⇒ The couple was to be shamed and humiliated, becoming the object of jokes among some. ⇒ Mary, the mother of Jesus, probably one of the hostesses, was to be embarrassed.

Mary, naturally, was concerned about the matter, but note the point. Mary’s concern was a social concern, a concern for seeing that the needs of a social group were met. She did what any mother would do. She brought the problem to her Son: “They have no wine.”

Mary’s Confidence.

John 2:5 KJV 1900

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Mary’s confidence in her Son. It was night and wine could not be bought. It was unthinkable that Mary was asking Jesus to perform a miracle. So far as we know, He had performed no miracles yet.

What she was doing was seeking His help, asking Him to take care of the matter. Of course, He could attempt to get a merchant to reopen his shop and meet the need, or He could try to secure wine from some neighbors.

Mary had utter confidence in Him. But, again, that is not the point.

Jesus saw the opportunity to demonstrate His creative power, the kind of power needed to meet man’s need for regeneration.

You are Forever

John 19:25–27 KJV 1900

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

We finally come to the end of Mary’s discipleship and growth and find her at a place where no mother should have to be but yet we know it happens. Mary is present at the death of her son. we have watched her influence in the life of Jesus while embracing and continual growth throughout the seasons of life.

Here at the cross, we find first of all

Mary’s Enduring Love.

John 19:25 KJV 1900

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

Mary was there all the way through his life. Even at his death.

but second of all

Mary’s Sacrificial Presence.

No matter the trials or tribulations of her son, Mary is Present.

Mother’s please understand, you didn’t accidently become a mother. You were favored by God to be the mother of the child given to you by God. It is your responsibility to be Faithful rearing that child to have a relationship with their creator in order that they will grow in Men and Women of Influence while continuing with them through thick and thin.

Done properly,

Proverbs 31:28 KJV 1900

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Proverbs 31:30 KJV 1900

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.