Gtcotr/ss051015
Let’s
take a Bible look at a mom and the times in her life when motherhood challenged
her and how she handled those challenges.
The
mother we are going to use as our guide this morning is the woman God chose to
be the mother of His only begotten Son. That’s right; I am referring to none
other than Mary the mother of Jesus.
So
without further ado let’s begin our adventure through the Word of God by asking
the question:
When are
mothers most likely to face challenges in life?
In
Mary’s case, her life challenges began even before her first Child was born...
1.
Mothers face some of their greatest challenges during pregnancy.
a. Luke 2:4-6 tells the
story of Mary’s husband, Joseph, and his sudden trip south to Bethlehem. It was
a week’s walk for a pregnant woman and Mary seemingly made the trip without
complaint.
Luke 4:7 Mary brought forth
her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
b. Once in Bethlehem
their wasn’t even a hotel room available
c. Mary had to deliver
the baby Jesus in a stable and had to use rags to wrap her Child and the only
place to lay Him was in a feeding trough.
When
mothers face challenges during pregnancy – they do whatever it takes to protect
their unborn child, keep them safe and make them a home out of whatever they
find.
2.
Mothers also face some of their greatest challenges during
adolescence.
That’s the age when their child begins to be a little more trusted to go out
and about without the constant watchful eye of a parent. This is the beginning
stages of growing up.
a. Luke 2:42-49 shares
the account of Mary and her Son when He was 12 years old. This growing Child
purposely stayed behind when His mother and family left the big city on their
way back home.
b. It was 3 days before
His mother and Joseph found Jesus.
c. Jesus was doing what
He felt was reasonable but His mother did not share His perspective on the
matter at hand.
Luke 2:48 So when they saw
Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this
to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
d. Children sometimes
push the envelope when it comes to doing what they think is alright.
e. The scriptures
continue the story by telling us that Jesus got up and went home with His
Mother and remained in submission to her and as well, she pondered on this
matter herself.
When
mothers are challenged by their adolescent child they search for a way to reach
them and give them firm guidance while realizing that their child is growing up
and will one day be making decisions for themselves.
3.
Mothers sometimes face challenges by their 20 something year old
children.
These represent those who are grown but not yet out of the house. Them and
their friends make their own decisions but yet they are still living a somewhat
dependent life.
a. John 2:3-5 give us a look at Jesus and His friends at a
wedding in a town near Nazareth. The wedding host ran out of wine and Mary, the
mother of Jesus, knew He could help.
b. But Jesus did not want to help. Perhaps He saw it as a
misuse of His abilities or maybe He didn’t want to be recognized as the guy who
can turn water into wine.
c. Whatever the concern, Jesus did not want to do it.
John 2:4 Jesus said to Mary,
“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.”
d. And the water was turned into wine!
e. Mary didn’t take her Son’s verdict for her decision … and
Jesus once again obeyed His mother.
When mothers are challenged by their 20 year
old dependent children, they have to be ready to assert themselves and demand
respect for a parental decision.
4.
Mothers sometimes face challenges with their children who are grown
and gone.
When a child is grown and gone a mother’s words become counsel and not command.
This can be difficult on a mother who always believes she knows what is best
for her child.
a. Matthew 12:47-50
gives the account of Jesus during His ministry in the Galilee. Some thought He
was the Messiah and others a lunatic. Mary was concerned for her Son and so was
the rest of the family.
Matthew 12:47 Then one said to Jesus, “Look, Your mother and Your
brothers are outside, seeking to speak with You.”
b. Many believe they
simply wanted to take Jesus back home and keep Him from further endangering
Himself with the religious leaders.
c. Whatever the reason,
Jesus chose to not respond to His mother in the way she hoped. In fact, if Mary
had chosen, her Son’s response could have really hurt her feelings.
When
mothers are challenged by grown up adult children they must not allow offenses
or hurt feelings to drive a wedge between them and their child. Mary was always
right there for her Son, even to the end …
5.
The greatest challenge any mother can face is the death of her
child. For
some it is a sudden tragedy and for others an impending haunt that demands a
journey to the sudden separation that leaves them so empty.
a. John 19:26-27
records Jesus on the cross after having been violently arrested, wrongfully
accused, unjustly sentenced, unmercifully beaten and cruelly nailed to a cross
on Mt Calvary.
b. I’m told that some
of the last thoughts and words spoken by men who believe they are dying are
often about their mothers.
c. Mary was at the cross
to be with her Son in His final moments. We cannot fully understand the grief
she bore nor the pain of her soul as she watched her Child in agony.
d. Even though she was
the mother of the Son of God, she could not understand what was taking place
before her very eyes or make any sense of the moment in light of God’s eternal
perspective.
John 19
26 When Jesus therefore saw
His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother,
"Woman, behold your son!"
27 Then He said to the
disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took
her to his own home.
e. Jesus spoke to His
mother and left His parting words of care and concern for her future … a future
she would have to endure beyond the death of her Child.
f. Mary’s life went on
… and although she could not change the moment, she kept her trust in God.
When
mothers face the death of a child they must continue to put their trust in God
for somehow, even without permission, life will go on.
If
it were not for mothers not one of us would be alive today. Mothers face many
challenges in life. I hope today you will remember your mother with kindness.
God commands that we honor our parents. This is His will. Today let’s do this
by honoring the mothers all around us.
God
bless you moms … we love you and pray that God would continue to give you the
grace it takes to put up with the rest of us.
