A Mother’s Cross

Luke 9:23–26 NIV

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:23 NIV

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Fire Bible (Chapter 9) The choice between living for ourselves (i.e., denying Christ) or living for Christ (i.e., denying ourselves) must be made daily. That continual choice will determine our eternal destiny.

Some of the most impactful mothers in my life, including my mother and grand mother, I watched them put their wants to the side to make sure things got taken care of.

I also got to see some that chose to go after their own wants and I have seen the loneliness that they carry now.

Luke 9:24 NIV

24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Fire Bible (Chapter 9) Whoever loses his life. This statement from Jesus is found in all four Gospels (i.e., the narrative accounts of Jesus’ life recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Two of the Gospels contain it more than once

Fire Bible (Chapter 9) This, however, does not necessarily refer to a physical loss of life. Sometimes the greater challenge is continuing to live faithfully for him during difficult situations.

If personal happiness and pleasure are our main goals in life, instead of living in God’s plan and by his principles, we will find only disappointment and spiritual loss.

But if we are willing to put aside our own ways and make our relationship with Jesus our top priority, basing our lives on his Word, we will find true life and joy—now and for eternity.

I used to know a missionary who grew up in So Cal. Back in the 90’s he lived a party life style for a long time as a millionaire play boy. He lost all that he had one day. He tried taking his life and was thankfully stopped.

The Lord intervened in his life and a few years later he finds himself traveling more than ever as a missionary, but barely had nickel to his name. His focus was no longer on what he wanted but what the Father wanted and went from working his kingdom to working God’s kingdom.

Luke 9:25 NIV

25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

We can have the world, look to what Satan offered Jesus if he would just bow down to him. He offered Jesus the world. But at what price?

Jesus knew the price of our souls, but it would have been a far greater and eternally condemning price if He had bowed down that day.

Luke 9:26 NIV

26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Ashamed of me. To be ashamed of Jesus means to experience embarrassment because of our identification with the life, values and goals that Jesus taught.

It means to be ashamed of his Word, ashamed to claim that everything in it is from God, ashamed to live by it and defend it.

People who feel this way about Christ cut themselves off from him. He will have no choice but to reject and condemn them on judgment day

Today we honor mothers, and I want to honor mothers who have lived this out.

Mothers who day in and day out pick up their cross

Mothers who show their family what it means to submit to the Lord

Mothers who are not ashamed of the Lord

And if you mothers are saying I don’t do all this, I am not that perfect mother, it’s ok, you are still a masterpiece in the making just like every saint on this side of haven.

What does it look like for a mother to pick up her cross daily and walk?

Proverbs 31:30–31 NIV

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Some of the most faithful disciples I have ever met have been mothers.

Mamaw was one of the most faithful disciples I ever got to met. She had every excuse not to get into the Word being blind, but she was there, and it showed in her life.

You did not leave her house hungry and if you did it was your own fault.

Take home question…

Have You Thanked Your Mother/Grandmother Today?