A Mother’s Love
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Matthew 20:20-23-
A Mother’s Love
A. Mothers are teachers. Mothers are disciplinarians. Mothers are cleaning ladies. Some mothers are gardeners & mowers of lawns. And most mothers understand that baking cookies is more important than washing windows, too.
Mothers are nurses, doctors, psychologists, counselors, chauffeurs, and coaches. Mothers are developers of personalities, molders of vocabularies, and shapers of attitudes. Mothers are soft voices saying, "I love you." And mothers are a link to God, a child’s first impression of God’s love.
Mothers are all of these things & much, much more.
[ILLUSTRATION] One of my favorite columns by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. She says that on the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime. And an angel said to Him, "Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one."
The Lord turned and said, "Have you read the specs on this model? She is supposed to be completely washable, but not plastic. She is to have 180 moving parts, all of them replaceable. She is to have a kiss that will heal everything from a broken leg to a broken heart. She is to have a lap that will disappear whenever she stands up. She is to be able to function on black coffee & leftovers. And she is supposed to have six pairs of hands."
"Six pairs of hands," said the angel, "that’s impossible." "It’s not the six pairs of hands that bother me." said the Lord, "It’s the three pairs of eyes. She is supposed to have one pair that sees through closed doors so that whenever she says, `What are you kids doing in there?’ she already knows what they’re doing in there."
"She has another pair in the back of her head to see all the things she is not supposed to see but must see. And then she has one pair right in front that can look at a child that just goofed and communicate love and understanding without saying a word."
"That’s too much." said the angel, "You can’t put that much in one model. Why don’t you rest for a while & resume your creating tomorrow?"
"No, I can’t," said the Lord. "I’m close to creating someone very much like myself. I’ve already come up with a model who can heal herself when she is sick - who can feed a family of six with one pound of hamburger - and who can persuade a nine year old to take a shower."
Then the angel looked at the model of motherhood a little more closely and said, "She’s too soft." "Oh, but she is tough," said the Lord. "You’d be surprised at how much this mother can do."
"Can she think?" asked the angel. "Not only can she think," said the Lord, "but she can reason, compromise and persuade."
Then the angel reached over and touched her cheek. "This one has a leak," he said. "I told you that you couldn’t put that much in one model." "That’s not a leak," said the Lord. "That’s a tear."
"What’s a tear for?" asked the angel. "Well it’s for joy, for sadness, for sorrow, for disappointment, for pride." "You’re a genius," said the angel. And the Lord said, "Oh, but I didn’t put it there."
B. Maybe with all this in mind we can better understand Mrs. Zebedee, the mother of James & John. Turn with me to Matthew 20:20-23, & please listen as I read.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”
He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Mrs. Zebedee was aware of the teachings of Jesus about His kingdom. She was also very aware of the fact that her sons, James and John, were close to Him. They were two-thirds of the inner circle of Peter, James, and John.
So she was certain that when the Lord formed His kingdom that they would have positions of responsibility and authority. But in the first part of this same chapter, Jesus tells a story that must have disturbed her.
[ILLUSTRATION] - The Vineyard Owner & the Laborers (Mt 20:1-16)
It was a story about a landowner who went out to find laborers early in the morning. They agreed upon a fair day’s wage & started working. Then at noon he went out and found some more, and they started working. Then towards evening he went out and found some more and they started working. Yet, when the Lord paid them off at the end of the day they all received the same wage.
It must have caused Mrs. Zebedee to wonder, "Will my sons really have positions of authority in the Lord’s new kingdom?"
So when the opportunity presented itself she came to the Lord. Matthew says that she bowed before Him & made this request, "When you establish your kingdom, I would request seats on your right & left hand for my two sons."
[PROPOSITION] We might very well criticize Mrs. Zebedee for her presumptuousness. But since today is Mother’s Day, maybe we ought to think for a few moments concerning some positive things about Mrs. Zebedee.
We need also to recognize that when she came to Jesus, while Jesus did not grant her request, neither did he deny it. He simply reminded her of the cost of being seated on the right or left and then told her that it is the Father who determines who will be seated there.
I. SHE PRAYED THAT HER SONS MIGHT BE A PART OF THE KINGDOM
Now, what are some of the good things about Mrs. Zebedee? First of all, she came to the Lord, praying that her sons might be a part of His Kingdom. I can think of no more important task of motherhood than that - to seek to ensure that your children are a part of the Kingdom of God.
A. I know that many mothers pray. Sometimes they pray out of necessity. Sometimes they pray because motherhood is not easy, but extremely difficult.
[ILLUSTRATION] James Dobson tells about a time he came home when his son, Ryan, was a small baby. It had been a terrible day for his wife. Ryan had been sick, and had cried all day long.
Once, as she was changing his diapers, the telephone rang and Shirley reached over to answer it before fastening up his diapers. Just then Ryan had an attack of diarrhea.
She cleaned up that mess & put him in clean, sweet-smelling clothes. Then she took him into the living room and fed him. As she was burping him he threw up all over himself, and her, and the couch, too.
Dobson writes, "When I came home I could smell the aroma of motherhood everywhere." Shirley cried out to him, "Was all of this in my contract?"
B. Sometimes mothers pray just out of the frustration of it all. And sometimes in the frustration of trying to teach our children we realize the difficulties of communication.
[ILLUSTRATION] Maybe this sounds familiar. You give your two-year old their very first responsibility. Would you please watch your little sister for a moment. Stepping out of the room for only a minute, you hear a thump and then crying.
Rushing back you find that your little one had fallen from the couch and was now stretched out on the floor. Meanwhile, the older one is sitting there, looking so innocent.
"Taylor, I asked you to watch her." Taylor answered, "I did." She watched Mikayla fall and she watched her cry. She did exactly what she was told to do.
Being a parent is not easy. Sometimes it is filled with joy and sometimes with sadness. Sometimes, most times, your children make you so proud you are going to burst. At other times you can’t find enough klennex to dry your tears.
What good is it if our children are successful in making money, and driving fine automobiles, and living in good neighborhoods, but they don’t know God? What does it matter if they gain the whole world, but lose their souls?
Being a parent is not easy. It is difficult. But Mrs. Zebedee gives us a valuable example, for she prayed earnestly that her sons would be a part of His kingdom.
[SUMMARY] We need that same concern for our children. I hope that in the heart of every mother and father here this morning there is a burden to go to the throne of God and to pray for your children - to pray that they will always know God, follow God, and always love God. I simply cannot think of a better reason to intercede for your children that they would be saved unto Jesus for eternal life. That is the place to begin.
II. SHE PRAYED THAT HER SONS WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF HIS KINGDOM
Secondly, not only did Mrs. Zebedee pray that her children would be a part of His kingdom, but she prayed that they would be actively involved in the work of His kingdom.
Maybe it is not enough just to be saved. Churches are full of people content just to fill a pew on Sunday mornings. There are plenty of people willing to sit back and receive the blessings, but seldom do they get involved in doing any of the real work of the church.
But where does the spirit of service begin? It begins at home, with mothers and fathers setting the example and praying that their sons and daughters, might be involved in the work of the kingdom - as teachers and leaders, discipling others - that they might be the ones to go out into the world and find the lost - to see that the church continues on until Jesus comes again.
[ILLUSTRATION] When our oldest revealed to us her plans to Dubai and work in a business and ministry in film production and telling the stories of Emerates coming to faith in Jesus, we were thrilled. We had connections in the UAE, and had spoken about our daughter’s training in video and film. They spoke and came to an agreement that she would go over for a five week visit and test drive the work and ministry.
Our daughter went over and enjoyed the work and ministry. Getting use to the culture and living arrangements was a little more difficult. A single girl living on her own, in a Muslim culture, where a wrong step could put you in a precarious situation, could be very dangerous. It was difficult to be on her own, but she has always been an adventurer and desired to do work for the LORD. Unfortunately, the work did not continue. The business and ministry eventually closed due to lack of funding, due to the business being unable to collect on it’s services due to “inshalla” - when Allah wills it. People would pay when Allah willed it.
The stories that this ministry was recording, and retelling, of Muslims coming to Jesus was just awesome. I was so proud of our daughter’s willingness and commitment to work for Jesus and the Kingdom in retelling these salvation stories, in film and video. Her work in putting it altogether was phenomenal. It made me proud because she was working for Father God, serving Jesus, like Jesus, and living for the casting of the Gospel to the most difficult people groups in the world to reach. She was actively involved in the work of the Kingdom.
[SUMMARY] Mom’s and Dad’s, like Mrs. Zebedee prayed that her children would be actively involved in the work of His kingdom, we need to do the same and walk in her same footsteps, praying that our children will become active in serving in the Kingdom work of Jesus.
III. SHE HAD BIG EXPECTATIONS
A. Thirdly, Mrs. Zebedee had big expectations, I like that. She didn’t just pray that her children would be doorkeepers. She wanted them on the right hand and left hand of Jesus. The places of power and authority.
When you’re working in a kingdom, there are no higher positions than those on the right & left of the King himself and that’s what she wanted for her sons.
We may consider Mrs. Zebedee brash and presumptuous. But do you not admire her boldness? Too often we have settled for mediocrity in the church. For too long we have been content with just barely making it through the door. For too long we have been content to sit back and let things happen.
It is time for some of us to take our positions on the right and left hand of Jesus. To become leaders - encouraging and molding the church to mobilize to make sure that the love and message of Christ goes into all the world. To teach each other to become disciples of Jesus, who disciple others to be disciples of Jesus.
It is time to strive for excellence - to be the best for the Best there is. The Lord calls us to be His disciples, and to be effective laborers in His kingdom, operating in and with authority. When Jesus instructed how His disciples are to pray, what did He say? Pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Mt. 6:10). That’s a prayer of authority. It’s not an asking prayer, but a commanding prayer. With authority one commands.
Jesus commanded so with His Father’s authority and it was done. Why? Because He knew who He was and what authority He had. He was submitted to the Father’s will, always obeying the Father, therefore He knew His Father’s will and commanded His authority. He did not pray “asking” the Father to do what He had been given the authority to do already. Jesus prayed and commanded with authority.
Jesus commanded the person to be well (Luke 4:39; 5:13; 7:6-10). Jesus commanded an evil spirit to leave (Luke 4:35). He commanded the wind and the waves to be still (Luke 8:24). He commanded the person being healed to do something “in faith” (Luke 5:24; 6:10; 7:14). Sometimes Jesus did not have to command, He merely touched a person (Luke 5:13). Other people touched Jesus and they were healed (I.e. the woman with the flow of blood - Luke 8:44; the general population Mt 14:36).
We are to imitate Jesus, and do as He did. We are to expect as He did. We are to do big things as He did (Jn. 14:12).
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Do you live this truth parents? Moms? Do you impart this truth parents? Moms? Do we understand the authority we have? Do we command the delegated authority we have, in the way Jesus teaches us to? Do we empower our children with the same teaching and knowledge?
We are not to ask God to do the works; rather we are to line up our wills with His, and do the works on His behalf. Jesus teaches for us to ask for what we need, or what we would like to see come to fruition (Jn 16:24). This would be “Asking prayer”.
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Speaking and commanding with the delegated authority we have been given, is different, it’s commanding prayer; it’s prayer in authority. This is one of the biggest gifts we can give to our children - because of our position as children of Christ, we have authority in Christ, as delegated by Christ (Luke 10:19; Mt 28:19-20). So act with authority and expect big things in Christ, with Christ.
[ILLUSTRATION] I have had many opportunities to pray in a home to make it secure against enemy demons and spirits. I have always seen results. Not because of me, but because of my obedience and belief that Jesus has given me the delegated authority to do so as He has done. A church family’s child could not sleep in his room because he was terrified of the “monsters” who were there during the night. We discovered a dreamcatcher in the room, removed it, and then closed the gate that had been opened and bound and removed the demons and spirits from the room and home with authoritative prayer. We welcomed the Holy Spirit to fill the room and take up residence. From that night on the boy slept in his room peacefully without any further incidents.
A family up north in Deadwood area asked me to come and pray through their home as they were having wandering spirits show up and move chairs and things in their home. I prayed through their home with commanding prayer and they no longer had the wandering spirit in their home. Always ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill the home with His presence after removing demons and spirits, because they will come back and stake claim more forcefully following.
[ILLUSTRATION] Do you remember? Erma Bombeck had God saying as He was creating a mother, "I am close to creating something very much like myself."
B. I suppose that is why today is very special - because we recognize that mother’s love is probably the closest example we have to God’s love. It is a love that goes through the valley of the shadow of death to bring life into being. It is a love that sacrifices itself over & over again and would even dare to lay down its life for its own offspring.
[ILLUSTRATION] The story is told - out of WW 2 and the holocaust that took the lives of millions of people - of Solomon Rosenberg and his family. It is a true story.
Solomon Rosenberg and his wife, his two sons, and his mother and father were arrested and placed in a Nazi concentration camp. It was a labor camp and the rules were simple. "As long as you can do your work, you are permitted to live. When you become too weak to do your work, then you are exterminated."
Rosenberg watched his mother and father marched off to their deaths, and he knew that next would be his youngest son, David, because David had always been a frail child.
Every evening Rosenberg came back into the barracks after his hours of labor and searched for the faces of his family. When he found them they would huddle together, embrace one another, and thank God for another day of life.
One day, Rosenberg came back, but did not see those familiar faces. He finally discovered his oldest son, Joshua, in a corner, huddled, weeping, and praying. He said, "Josh, tell me it’s not true." Joshua turned to him and said, "It is true, poppa. Today David was not strong enough to do his work. So they came for him."
"But where is your mother?" asked Mr. Rosenberg. "Oh poppa," he said, "When they came for David, he was afraid and he cried. Momma said, `There is nothing to be afraid of, David,’ and she took his hand and went with him."
[CONCLUSION] That is motherhood. Mothers, this is your day. May God bless you in it. And I pray that if there is someone here who has never experienced the love of God that is so close to the love of a mother, that this will be your time of decision.
I pray that if you have felt that you have had to walk through that valley alone so many times, that you will recognize that there is a hand reaching out to you, saying, "There is nothing to be afraid of. I’ll go with you."
And I pray that you will recognize that there is the One, Jesus that has already gone through the valley of the shadow of death for you, and made it possible for you to live forever, and to live today with authority, especially in prayer.
He extends His loving invitation in much the same way that a mother opens the doors of her home and invites her children to come back again. Jesus invites you, to do the same. Come to Jesus. Be renewed, reborn, and reawakened to your position and place in Christ and His Kingdom. I challenge you to pray with authority. I challenge you to teach your children to pray in authority. Amen.
Adapted from Melvin Newland’s Sermon - A Mother’s Love
