CHARLES: Hello, and welcome to Episode 13 in our series, “In the Heart of God.” Today our topic is “Mothers” because “Mothers Are In the Heart of God.” Mother’s Day is tomorrow, and we will discuss why we should honor our mothers; we will look to Jesus as the perfect example of One who honored mothers. We will also consider the blessing to us of honoring our mothers. Join Apostle Charles and me, Stephanie, as we celebrate mothers, past and present, who are “In the Heart of God.”
STEPH: Today, we are honoring our mothers as we approach Mother’s Day. Even if Mother’s Day has passed, this message is relevant. We should honor mothers every day; in other words, show them respect. That is because Jesus, our example, honored his mother and other mothers.
So, if you want to be like Jesus, honor your mother whether you believe she was a good mother or not. It’s not about how you feel; it is about obedience to God. When we are obedient to God, we will be blessed.
CHARLES: Let’s look at some examples of Jesus and how he honored mothers, including his mother, Mary. But first, let’s see how many times Jesus said in the New Testament, “Honor your mother (and father).” He said this in Mark 7:10, Mark 10:19, Matthew 15:4, and Matthew 19:19.
Mark 7:10, He reminds the Jewish people that Moses said to honor your mother and father. It was a command before Jesus arrived on earth, during His time on the earth, and now, after Jesus has returned to heaven.
In Matthew 15:4, Jesus says what God said, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
STEPH: In Matthew 19:17, Jesus says if you want life, honor your father and mother. Compare this verse with Proverbs 20:20, “Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be extinguished.” So, repent if you have wished evil upon your parents and live a long life.
Let’s turn to Jesus and how he honored Mary, His mother.
CHARLES: Jesus was a grown man when He attended the wedding at Cana. That’s in John, Chapter 2. You know the story. Mary came to Jesus and said they had run out of wine at the wedding. That is an embarrassing thing for the parents. Jesus says to Mary, and I am paraphrasing, “What has that got to do with me?” Mary didn’t even answer Him; she just told the wedding servers to do whatever Jesus told them to do. Jesus directs them to fill the waterpots with water, and He turns the water into wine. John 2:11 reads, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” Mary did not realize it, but she started her son on his journey to fulfill His purpose – to die on the cross for our sins and the restoration to God.
STEPH: Moving to the cross, we see Jesus honors his mother when He is dying on the cross, and He tells John the Beloved disciple to take care of His mother. John 19:25-27. John 27 says, “And from that hour that disciple (John) took her into his home.” Jesus cared for his mother, and Jesus cares about other mothers. If you are a mother today who feels neglected by your children, you are “In the Heart of God.” Jesus cares for you, too.
Jesus cared for Peter’s mother-in-law, who was sick with a great fever. Matthew 8:14‑15. And Mark 1:29‑31, says, when Jesus entered her home upon learning she was ill, he took her by the hand, and lifted her; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. Jesus cares for mothers-in-law because they are “In the Heart of God.”
CHARLES: Jesus cared for the widow at Nain, Luke 7:11‑15. This woman was a widow, her husband had died, and now her son was dead. In that day, a woman with no man to care for her was subject to be on the streets begging. That’s why Jesus told John to take care of Mary. This woman of Nain needed her son. Luke 7:13 says Jesus had compassion on her and said, “Weep not.” He touched the bier, or frame on which the son lay before burial, and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” The young man sat up and began to speak and was delivered to his mother. Jesus cares for mothers. If you are a mother who has no children to care for you or call you this Mother’s Day, know that you are “In the Heart of God,” and He cares for you.
STEPH: The last show of Jesus’ mercy toward mothers we will consider is the Syrophoenician woman. In Mark 7:24‑30, Jesus was in the region of Tyre and Sidon when a Syrophoenician woman entered a home and fell to His feet, and asked Jesus to cast an unclean spirit out of her daughter. Jesus sounded harsh when he said, “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” But this was acknowledging that the Jews and the Syrophoenicians were enemies. This woman did not care that Jews looked down on Syrophoenicians, “And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.” Her recognition of Jesus as a healer, her love for her daughter, and her humility led Jesus to say, “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” Mothers who are hurting for their children are “In the Heart of God.”
CHARLES: So, honor your mother (and father) today that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:2‑3.
Thank you for joining us today. Let’s close with prayer.