2…. Mary faced many difficulties, but she also had some valuable resources.
A. Her first resource was a strong commitment to doing God’s will. It says in Luke 1:35 that the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Then in vs. 38 Mary answered, “`I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
Mary knew that the baby in her womb was God’s only begotten Son, and that by giving birth to Jesus she was doing exactly what God commissioned her to do.
And when God places a child or children in your arms, His will for you is to bring them up in a home where they will know God and His word, and Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
B. Secondly, she had the resource of Jesus being an obedient child. Hebrews 4:15 says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.”
Mary had the wonderful blessing of a child who was obedient. The best thing you can give your mom on Mother’s Day, kids, is to be obedient. It’s better than cards, better than flowers, better even than chocolate – just be a loving & obedient child!
That’s commanded in the scriptures. “Children, you are to obey your parents.” And Luke tells us that Jesus was obedient to them.
C. Thirdly, she had a supportive husband. Now again, Joseph was with her for only 12 years or so. But during that period of time, he was very supportive. The Bible says, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” [Matthew 1:24].
Now, I’ve always imagined that Joseph was a caring, supportive man in Mary’s life, who was there for her whenever she needed him.
May I say to all the husbands and fathers readind this message: The best thing you can give your wife, the mother of your children, today, is not flowers & chocolates & cards, but to be supportive of her, to pray for her, to encourage her, & always to be there for her.
So be careful of how supportive you are. I mean, sometimes you may need to slip into it just a step at a time. But be a good, supportive husband.
D. Finally, she had a close friend who encouraged her. Luke 1:42 tells us that “In a loud voice [Elizabeth] exclaimed: `Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’”
If you remember the story, as Mary is expecting Jesus, she went to be with Elizabeth, an older woman, who was also expecting a child – a miracle birth with her as well. She was expecting John the Baptist. And they spent about 6 months together – encouraging one another.
“Encourage one another daily” the Bible says, “as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
If we become discouraged, it becomes easy for sin to harden us, and the deceitfulness of sin to take over our lives. So we need to encourage the moms today, and help them realize they’re doing a job that no one else can do.
In Summary, Mary was rewarded for her faithfulness as a mother. She was there to see Jesus resurrected from the dead. She was in the upper room when the 120 gathered to pray & the Holy Spirit came upon them. And she lived to see her other children accept Jesus as Messiah & Lord, too. And the God who rewarded her has promised to reward us, too.
And in conclusion folks, Mother’s Day is kind of a mixed bag. I find it hard writing about it with a bit of fear & trembling. I’m never sure exactly how to handle it because I know that there are all kinds of different people who will be reading this message
If you have experienced the death of your mother, this could be a day of mourning & grieving as you remember her, & how much you miss her, & how much you would like to talk to her again.
If you’re childless, you may feel empty & perhaps unfilled. If you had a poor relationship with your mother, you may feel a bit guilty, & wish somehow you could undo that. But it may be too late.
But here’s the good news: We may have imperfect families here, but one day we’ll have a perfect family in heaven – with God as our Father, & Jesus, our elder brother. We’ll live in a perfect environment with all His who have gone on before.
So hang in there, Mothers! God’s power is yours, & He will help you as you mother your children. GOD BLESS YOU on this very special day.
