May 12, 2019
Morning Service

I think it is wonderful to set aside a day to celebrate and recognize the role that mother’s play in our life.  I am sure we all have stories of what how our mothers or mother figures influenced our lives in a very special and unique way.  I am very blessed to have an angel for a mother.  She is always encouraging her three boys and was never too busy to stop and listen to what is going on in our lives and always being there for us.  She lives and models a life of self-sacrifice not only towards us but with everyone she encounters.  She makes the world a better place starting within the walls of her own house and radiating outward from there.  It was her obedience to a call from God to live out a life of faith loving her Lord by loving others.  I also want to point out that there were times her house was not clean, with the laundry stacked high in the corner, and she even occasionally burnt the macaroni and cheese.  The key is putting the most important things first.

            The role of a mother is a thankless and never ending task that usually lacks any glamor or glitz but is divinely called by God.  It is a mother’s natural love for her child that I believe most resembles God’s love for us.  He gave His all for us and it is a mother that sacrifices her all for her children and family.  It certainly is fitting that a day is devoted to celebrate their loving effort to keep things in order.

            Today I want to look at perhaps the most famous mother of the scriptures, Mary the mother of Jesus.  She truly was divinely called by God to fill a role that made the whole world to call her “Blessed.”  This calling did not come without surprises, challenges, or heartaches however.  Her life was full of them, but she endured knowing, believing and trusting that God was in control.  We often quote Jerry in saying “Attitude is everything!”  Let’s look at Mary’s attitude the day she was called to a surprisingly tall task.

  Luke 1:34-38 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"  (35)  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  (36)  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  (37)  For with God nothing will be impossible."  (38)  Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

        It is believed that Mary was only a young teenager at this time that she was confronted with a challenge that she is no way could have understood or even comprehended.

 Was she nervous? 

Did she doubt her own abilities?  Who wouldn’t?

 Doesn’t every mother wonder is if she has what it takes to fulfill the calling God lays upon them?

  What was the key to her success?

  It is displayed in her reaction to the angel Gabriel.  “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.”  She completely submitted to God and trusted Him to use her to fulfill His will.  She gave her self totally to her calling and that made her a mother worth imitating.  God does not call you to a task that He does not give you the abilities to fully carry out.

            Was her calling a magical one without pain, discomfort, or heartache?  Certainly not!  At Jesus’s circumcision, Simeon prophesied of what the future held for Him and also addresses this to Mary:

 Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (35) (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

        This indeed came true as Mary witnessed things no mother should as she watched her first born be unfairly tried, tortured and executed on a very public scene.  A sword to her heart would have probably been more welcome than what she experienced.  It is extremely difficult for a parent to bury a child, but this was that multiplied by 100 times as she watched her Son be publically mocked unjustly and undeservedly. Her faithfulness was rewarded as she was blessed to see her child and Savior in His resurrected state confirming all that she believed was true.

            Mother’s imitate Mary’s faith and her trust in her Lord.  She did not fully understand what God had in store for her but chose to follow faithfully.  As you fulfill the role of mother in your family choose first and foremost to trust your Lord in the good times and the bad.  It is He that opened your womb and both called and blessed you to be a mother.  Your faith is the greatest gift you can display and hand down to your children.  Life will not be easy, but it will be worth the commitment you make to God and the children in your care.  Believe God and at His Word that “you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” (Phil. 4:13) Mary displayed this fact at the wedding when Jesus performed His first miracle.

 

Joh 2:1-5 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  (2)  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  (3)  And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."  (4)  Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."  (5)  His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

            I leave you with the command Mary gave the servants; “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  Trust the Lord with your whole heart and yield your will to His.  Follow His commands like a treasure map that will lead you to the fulfilling life you long for.  Raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, doing your best to point them to the One who can save their souls.  That should be on top of your priority list.  This can be a very challenging and exhausting task but you will not do it alone.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  He will take care of every need you have and grant you the strength and courage you need to be faithful to Him.  He will walk with you down the beautiful path that lies ahead and be very present with you through the dark valleys as well.  You are not alone.  Let your faith be something that you display daily with your actions as well as your words; leaving a legacy that you followed Jesus all the days of your life. 

            I want you to also to be aware that even Mary herself was not perfect.  The most famous mother of all time had her faults and shortcomings.  I am sure there were days that her house was not clean, laundry was piled high in the corner, and she probably overcooked dinner.  Being a great mother does not hinge on those things.  Solomon said it best in Proverbs on what to focus on:

 

Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.