Speaking of maternal love, Ma Bell has always enjoyed the financial benefits of a nation that celebrates Mother’s Day. But with the demise of land-lines and long-distance calling, along with the increasing popularity of the ubiquitous smart phone, I am not sure the single-day revenue uptick is what it once was. Still, it remains the busiest day of the year for the telecommunications industry. And justifiably so; Mother’s Day is a time-honored and wonderful tradition.
However, the greatest tribute to mothers is not found in a presidential proclamation, a Hallmark card, a politician’s eloquent rhetoric, or the talent of a gifted screenwriter. The greatest tribute comes from Scripture.
The law that went unaltered, that was never amended, or needed a single modification or improvement throughout its 13 centuries had as its fifth pillar the command to “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Ex. 20:12).
John tells us that the ministry of Jesus began at a wedding feast in Canaan of Galilee when Jesus honored a request by His mother (Jn. 2:3). Numbered among the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross was the charge to John to care for the Lord’s mother (Jn. 19:26,27). Though never intended to be an icon worthy of worship or supplication, Mary was more than just the biological mother of Jesus. As a mother, she demonstrated motherhood as it was intended to be.
The mother of King Lemuel taught him to honor the values of an excellent wife by identifying all her worthy ways (Prov. 31:10-31). Among the virtues she exhibits: “She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:26-30).
Indeed, Proverbs not only ends with words of praise for excellence in motherhood, it also begins in that fashion. “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck” (Prov. 1:8,9). That parental responsibility to instruct and teach in the home also forms a part of the Law of Moses (Deut. 6:6,20). A mother’s reward is to see her child grow to adulthood firmly grounded in the faith that she first demonstrated and taught. Paul wrote of the faith of a grandmother named Lois, as well as the faith of her daughter named Eunice, stating that he was confident that their faith was also firmly established in the life of Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5). He also urged Timothy to continue on in those things that he had learned from childhood from his grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 3:14,15). What things had he learned from his mother and grandmother that were so important he was to continue on in them? His knowledge of the Scriptures that gives one “the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).
No higher calling and no greater praise can be given to mothers than what is given by God in Scripture. Happy Mother’s Day to all whom it is due!
Keep studying and keep serving! DC Brown ©2015