Mother’s Day
Jeremy Northrop
Today is a special day in modern western culture. As practically everybody knows, today is a day in which mother’s are honored for their work. While the observance of this holiday is not intended to be religious in nature, it serves as a suitable time for Christians to be reminded of God’s plan for mothers. Motherhood has always been in the mind and plan of God. It is part of God’s plan for the home He established. Since the dawn of time, it was God’s intention for mothers and fathers to rear their children in a good and righteous way. However the day should come when children leave their parents. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Perhaps one of the more interesting points of the passage is God is speaking of mothers and fathers at a time when there were none. Motherhood has always been in the plan of God even before there where mothers.
Honoring mothers is certainly a biblical theme. There are several passages which indicate ways in which children can honor their mothers. Many of them are from the book of Proverbs:
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother (Proverbs 1:8).
My son, keep your father's command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother (Proverbs 6:20).
Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old (Proverbs 23:22).
1Timothy 5:4 confirms what the Proverbs say, “But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” There are several ways in which godly children can show honor to their mothers not just on a day like today but every day of their lives.
First, it honors mothers when their children listen, obey, and continue in their instruction. Parents are instructed to train their children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:3-5). When children heed these instructions and continue in the ways in which they were instructed, it brings honor to their parents and, as is the emphasis of this lesson, their mothers. John made a comment in 3John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Godly mothers would have no greater joy than to know their children are faithful. The opposite concept is also declared in scripture: “He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach” (Proverbs 19:26).
A child can honor their mother by caring for their mother when she is old. A good example of this is the family of Mahlon and Chilion. Even though Naomi’s children died, her family (Boaz) cared for her when she was widowed and alone. 1Timothy 5 gives authority for the church to care for those who are really widows. It is right that the church be able to use funds from her treasury to make sure the widows are cared for and administered. Acts 6 gives a New Testament example of this very thing taking place. However, 1Timothy 5:4 says it is first the job of the children and grandchildren. Some have called this the cycle of life. As the mother cares for her children when they are young and somewhat helpless, the children are to return the obligation by caring for their mothers in their elderly and somewhat helpless years. Christians need to honor their mothers every day.
