Invisible. Inspiring, Instructing Icon

Not only did these three adults learn some valuable things from their mother and later imitated her-whether consciously or subconsciously-these three also were Inclusive in their approach to life and to God. I think they saw their mother being one who accepted strangers in the home and they saw how she must have reached out to help others who needed help. I think they also saw their mother anticipating the coming of the Messiah and they had to see her worship God with the hope that the day would come when she would see Him.

When Jesus came to them, they embraced Him. They did not shun Him, but they believed in Him as their Messiah. Notice the chapter before us. When Lazarus was sick, they sent for Jesus to come and heal him-a definite belief in the power of the Messiah. When Martha saw Jesus and He asked her about the resurrection, at first she was unclear, but when Jesus told her that He was the Resurrection-she never questioned Him.

Not only did they embrace Jesus, but they also were quick to include others at a party given on behalf of the resurrection of Lazarus. Their home seemed to be a haven of rest not only for Jesus, but these three seemed to be able to include all who came their way as being welcomed. A good mother’s influence helped assure this quality in her children.

The last part of these three children being termed as ISSUES from this wonderful woman goes to what I term as being truly Inspiring people. They were the type of adults that make a neighborhood a better place. Their home was neat, tidy and clean. They worshiped regularly and welcomed the Stranger of Galilee to stay in their abode. They became staunch followers of Jesus and never turned their back upon Him or His salvation. They reached out to strangers and made the neighborhood feel that they were welcome to their home. They lived their faith in Jesus and in turn they became an inspiration to all who met them and who now read about them in the Bible. They furnished a home to Jesus and no doubt to all or some of His disciples. They were a beacon of light in a dark world of their time.

The questions remain, “How did these three become as they were?” I contend that they learned much of these qualities from their godly mother. As I stated earlier, if only one of these adults would have displayed these qualities, then it would be a different story of how one in a family turned out to be so good while others did not. However, here were three adults that had sterling qualities about them and they all came from one mother. I contend that these adults were shaped in a large part by one woman who remains invisible yet was very industrious and extremely influential to her children. This mother-of whom we know so little-did so much through her children for the Kingdom of God and for their time on this earth. Mothers-your influence will carry on for generations to come-make sure it is a good influence.

III. IMPACT: As I study the lives of the three offsprings of this wonderful woman who is so invisible to all of us, I have to conclude that the influence of her was way beyond her scope of thinking.