Motherhood

Gen 3:20 The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

…her offspring shall crush the serpent’s head. Gen 3:15-20 

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:45 And blessed is she who believed (see verses 46-48).

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured and pondered in her heart. (see Luke 2:3, 48, 51)

John 2:3-5; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14 Mary was with them-devoting themselves to prayer,

What can we draw from these verses about motherhood: Mothers persevere through the pain in producing new life.  Mothers believe the promise and power as they go through that pain, in order to be part of God’s ultimate purpose. Mothers feel deeply the words about their children and ponder their meanings in their hearts. Mothers long for and search for sons and daughters who are lost. Mothers treasure the joy of seeing them grow although it also means letting go of them into the greater good. Mothers are beside their maturing children into adulthood to encourage and boldly exhort them. Mothers desire to be present at the most painful moments of our lives. Mothers need cared for by sons and if the son cannot provide for her then another must step in. And if a mother outlives her child, she will never forget the promise and purpose of that life. Her child will always be in her heart and she will be devoted to God through all these events. Mothers will receive the same power and presence of the Holy Spirit as any man because God so honors the mother of Jesus and all mothers throughout the ages.

We live in an age that has lost the distinct honor mothers so deserve and a culture that fails to appreciate the unique cost of motherhood. Can two men produce a daughter to be a godly mother? Can two women produce a daughter who will become a godly wife? Can test tubes and contracts produce a family as if it is a commodity to be bought and sold? God have mercy on us for dishonoring mothers and motherhood.

A blessed Mother’s Day to all and may all bless their mothers, the living and those at rest.

“Thou shalt honor they father and mother, that it will go well with you and you live long in the land.”

The verses in detail:

About 4,000 years after the promise see the fulfillment in Mary, the mother of Jesus. Listen in on her conversations with the angel, with Elizabeth:

 Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Elizabeth said to Mary: Luke 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

Imagine mother Mary’s ponderings and the things she treasured in her heart after the proclamations of the shepherds, of Simeon and Anna and even Jesus’ own declaration that He will do Father God’s will (after he had been with the teachers of the law for several days alone in the temple).

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:48

And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

 51 And Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Jump ahead to Jesus at age thirty:

John 2:3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Then to the fulfillment of “a sword shall pierce your own soul” at the cross

John 19:25-27 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Finally be with Mary in prayer at the fulfillment of his promised Holy Spirit:

Acts 1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.