Mother
Matthew 12:46-50
Good morning brothers and sisters! Personally, today is a very, very special and significant day! Can anybody guess why I said so?
It is because today is Mothers’ Day! The day to honor the greatest and wonderful God’s creation, our mothers!
Mother’s Day Celebration
Mother’s Day was founded by Anna Jarvis, and American activist of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in honor of her mother who had organized women’s group to promote friendship and health. On May 12, 1907 she held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday every 2nd Sunday of May. In the later years of Jarvis life, she tried to rescind the commemoration of Mother’s Day because its original meaning was lost due to commercialization.
There are four (4) colors that are associated with Mother’s Day – green, yellow, red, and blue, each of which describes the characters of mothers.
Green represents a mother’s protective nature.
Yellow represents a mother’s optimistic outlook toward their children’s lives.
Red represents a mother’s passion, empowerment, and drive.
Blue represents a mother’s calm and patient presence.
Let’s read:
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
I. Mother, Biology, and Society
Let me repeat that part of the question our Lord Jesus Christ asked in verse 48, “Who is my mother . . .?”
Who really is she?
Vocabulary.com defines a mother as the woman who gave birth to a child, while Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a mother is a female parent.
Strictly speaking, a mother becomes a mother when she gave birth to an offspring who came into existence and developed through the biological reproduction process. It started from conception and extends indefinitely throughout motherhood lifetime. In modern connotation, the mother’s definition includes also surrogate mother, adoptive mother, foster mother, stepmother, and mother-in-law. Whatever flavor of mother we know, all mothers have one common objective – caring and nurturing their children.
Biologically, a mother begins her motherhood journey when she becomes pregnant and carries in her womb for nine months a living being. She undergoes physical transformation in her appearance during this period. She loses her admirable feminine figure and experiences uncomfortable feelings as her pregnancy progresses until the actual childbirth. Afterwards, comes the rearing period when she painstakingly nourishes, feeds, takes care, and protects the helpless child until his/her maturity to become a productive member of the community.
Her contribution to the genetic makeup of each cell of her child is 50% of the 23 pairs of chromosomes of the human body. Her share in the child’s genes drives her maternal instinct to tenderly love, care, nurture, and protect her child. Because of this, her mothering activities extend indefinitely until her demise, which can be appropriately labeled as “cradle to grave” responsibilities.
Having identified a mother based on biological and social perspectives, let us now examine who a mother is in the light of the Scripture. I have gathered and listed eight virtues among many, that define a godly mother. My list is not exhaustive but you may add other virtues that aptly apply to your mother.
II. Mothers in the Bible
VIRTUES OF A GODLY MOTHER
1. Prayerful (mapanalanginin; madasal)
A godly mother always prays in every situation with thanksgiving in her heart even in the midst of anxieties, hardships, and adversities. In doing so, she finds the peace of God in Christ Jesus [which cannot be explained in human terms]. Hannah, the virtuous mother of Prophet Samuel portrayed this quality of being genuinely prayerful such that eventually, she was blessed by God with more children. She practically knew the message of Philippians 4:6 which says “ 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
2. Humble (mapagkumbaba; may mababang-loob)
To be humble means not being proud. It is not thinking of oneself better than other people. It is also practicing meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness, and modesty. A person who is humble puts others’ needs before his/her own.
A prominent example of this virtuous mother is Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. She, in spite of being called as “highly favored” by the angel Gabriel, acknowledged that she is a just a servant who submitted to the Lord’s will.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 declares“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
3. Disciplinarian (madisiplina; kastigador)
Discipline means the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. Discipline is an act love for the benefit of the child, not for the one who administers the discipline. It is painful medicine needed to be applied to disobedient children. A godly mother always sets rules of right conduct and institute corrective actions if necessary to right a wrong. She doesn’t want her children to go astray. She wants the best for her children.
Proverbs 13:24 clearly states “24Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” However, Proverbs 23:13 puts weight on the necessity and outcome of discipline: “13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.”
4. Fears the Lord (may takot sa Diyos)
When a mother fears the Lord and follows all his precepts, she becomes wise and develops good understanding. Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth represents this kind of mother. We can say that Naomi is the model mother-in-law in the Bible, who in spite of having lost her son, the husband of Ruth, she continued supporting her daughter-in-law knowing that doing so she is following the precepts of the Lord.
Psalms 111:10 states“10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Although this is addressed in masculine context, this verse applies also to mothers.
5. Nurturing (mapag-aruga; maalaga)
To nurture means to care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something. Being a godly mother denotes that a mother supplies spiritual nourishment to her children to further their spiritual development or growth. Jochebed, the mother of Moses is the example of a nurturing mother in the Bible. It is noteworthy that Moses was born in Egypt during the time the Pharaoh ordered to kill all male babies born of Israelite descent. This inhuman measure was promulgated to curtail Israel’s male population that was a potential threat to Egypt’s national security. Jochebed’s wisdom saved Moses, and later she herself took care and nurtured the boy Moses to become an Egyptian prince.
1 Thessalonians 2:7- 8 describes the natural quality of every mother: 7Instead, we were like young children] among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
Also, in Isaiah 49:15, it states the inherent compassionate characteristic of mothers: “15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
6. Patient (matiyaga)
When a person is patient, he/she bears pains or trials calmly without complaint. It also means manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain. A mother who genuinely loves the Lord is steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or opposition. Sarah, the wife of Abraham waited 25 years before she bore the child Isaac.
Colossians 3:12 enunciates“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”.
7. Teaching God’s Word (nagtuturo ng Salita ng Diyos)
As true believer in Christ, a godly mother teaches her children to love the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength so that they will not forget it as they progress in pursuing their earthly life. Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy, respectively, are the mothers of this class.
In Deuteronomy 6:5-9, God commanded: “5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates;
In 2 Timothy 1:5, says “5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” Notice that in this verse that, as observed by Apostle Paul, it is evident that Lois and Eunice taught Timothy the Word of God.
8. Intentional (sinasadya)
Being intentional, a person must make deliberate or willful choices to get what is most important to him/her. It helps him/her maintain a positive mindset and reach goals. It also sharpens his/her focus and commitment, and it brings more purpose and meaning to his/her life. A godly mother possesses this virtue for the welfare of her children.
Proverbs 31:10-31 enumerate the deliberate intents of a godly mother geared for the betterment of those people she loves. In Tagalog, it means “sinasadyang gawain or kinukusang gawain.”
Together, let us read these verses:
“10A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor.
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
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.”
III. Significance of Mothers
Correlating the biological, social, spiritual, and biblical definitions of a mother, mothers are the embodiment of selflessness, wisdom, and strength. These virtues are reflections of divine love and care. Next to God, mothers are the epitome of unconditional love. No mortals can surpass her in this field of human endeavor. She is the undefeated human champion in the field of compassion, care, understanding, fairness, hard work, patience, sacrifices and long sufferings. She deserves recognition and worthy of accolades and honor!
I dare and challenge everyone, especially the young ones, whether you belong to the Generation X, Generation Y (Millennials), Generation Z and even Generation Alpha – “2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3).
Honor them by obeying, especially your mother while you still have time and are young.
Remember this: you may lose friends and gain another ones, but when you lose your mother, you cannot find another mother as virtuous as your own mother. She is the only one you’ve got in this world! She is so precious and priceless that she should not be taken for granted or ignored in your life!!
Truly, you can honor your mother – by being very sure that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord in your life, and that you are doing the will of God the Father!
May God bless us all in honoring our mothers!
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