Honoring our Mothers
Matthew 20:20-28
Disclaimer: This was prepared by prayer and thoughts from Sermon central contributors
Introduction-
Matthew 20:20-28 Read
This is a unusual Scripture for Mother’s day.
We see this as a scripture about two people that wanted to be exalted to the highest position.
To sit on the right and left of Jesus Christ.
Look at the mother’s side:
Here is a mother who loves her boys enough to approach Jesus and ask that they have the special honor of sitting of each side of Him.
This unnamed mother (could of been one of you).
She wanted three things for her boys.
1. Wanted them to be in the kingdom of God.
2. Wanted them to be active in the kingdom of God.
3. Had a high expectation for them.
Matt. 20- has the mother kneeling at the feet of Jesus.(Our text)
Mark 10- doesn’t pick up the story with the mother, but just the two sons before Jesus.
Mark’s account:
we see the worldly ambition of the two disciples. James, John, the sons of the unnamed mother.
Matthew’s account:
we see the compassion of the mother.
Matthew did not want to show the disciples guilty of worldly ambition and put the request into the mother’s mouth.
Just like mom to be the spokesperson for the family.
This unnamed mother presented her sons to Jesus because they were close to Jesus. (Cousins)
We know this later as in all 3 accounts of Jesus at the cross. Matt, Mark, John, the mother of the sons of Zebedee are mentioned.
The passage reveals a few things.
It tells us that the boys had their own ambition. They were thinking personal reward and personal distinction.
The mother for her children was thinking the security of having Jesus in the center of their lives.
The other 10 disciples , looking at it as .....I don’t care if your cousins, I want to be next to Jesus also.
I realize this morning all are not mothers, but we honor the women in our lives who have stood with us, those who have gone the extra mile to help us be all that we can be.
I have great respect for my mother, as I get older, I realize the sacrifices that she did to raise two boys (all boy) by herself.
Illustration-
Calvin and Hobbes comic strip:
Mother being woken by her son on Mothers day up in her bedroom. Mom wake up I made you a card for Mother’s day. I did it all myself. Just for you.
She begins to read.
I was going to buy a card with hearts of pink and red.
But then I thought I’d rather spend the money on me instead.
It’s awfully hard to buy things when one’s allowance is so small.
So I guess your pretty lucky I got you anything at all.
Happy Mothers Day. There, I’ve said it. Now I’m done.
So how about getting out of bed and fixing breakfast for your son.
I’m deeply moved..said his mother. Did you notice the part about my allowance?
Being mom doesn’t always come with respect and due honor.
Ephesians tells us to honor our fathers and mothers. “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Notice it does not say- honor your mother because she has been perfect and never made a mistake.
It says that children obey your parents because the Lord says it is the right thing to do.
It is difficult to be a parent. It is difficult to be a mom and the responsibility that falls to them.
Most of the time running the house as well as working outside the home.
They are called by God to stand in the gap for their children.
The mother is the one that carries the baby to term and has the privilege in sharing in the guidance of that child.
The internal bond of a mother to their children. I believe only the love God has for us is stronger.
Illustration-
I love this cartoon that shows a mother in her home. Her hair is in disarray, kids are everywhere, and the house is an absolute shambles. Then her husband comes home from work all neatly dressed in coat and tie, carrying his briefcase. She takes one look at him, and he looks at her with a big question mark on his face. She tells him, you come home every evening and ask what I do all day. Today I didn’t do it, and here it is
So what can we learn from this mother of two sons?
Mothers are teachers, disciplinarians, cleaning ladies, cooks, nurses, doctors, counselors, chauffeurs, coaches. They develop personalities:
If my attitude was not right, my mother was willing to shape and develop my attitude.
if my vocabulary was not correct, she was willing to mold me until it was right.
she believed in knock out, instead of time out. She was from the old school that said you have a right to discipline and correct your children.
I was not afraid of too many people on the streets of Milwaukee, I had great respect for my mother.
Mothers are all that and more
I think of examples of a mother where king Salomon is confronted with two women who lived together, had children of the dame age. One had died. Each accused each other that the dead child was not theirs. King Salomon says - give me a sword and I will cut the baby in half for each mother. One says no- give the baby to the other. One says good Do it Salomon gave the baby to the right mother. The one that was willing to sacrifice her rights to the baby for the safety of the baby.
Moses mother who sacrificed for the safety of her child by a plan of action to have Pharaohs daughter raise him. Then watched God mighty hand in action to allow her to raise her own child because of needing a nursing mother.
The story is told of a son who had gotten married and his wife despised his mother. The jealousy was terrific. One day the wife goes to her husband and says “If you really love me, you will kill your mother and bring her heart to me”. The son toiled for days and one day did the unthinkable. He killed his mother and was running back to his wife with her heart in his hands. He fell on his mothers heart and a voice from her heart said these words. “Son, are you okay?”
Love comes to the heart through the arms of a mother.
They are I believe the closest bond outside of the love of God has for us.
They are an example to each one of us this morning.
Today:
youth is glorified and old age is seen as a wasting away. Al Bundy, Homer Simpson, Rosie, as pathetic parents who don’t care about anything but themselves.
Humorous jokes:
my mother taught me logic- If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me.
my mother taught me to meet a challenge- what were you thinking? Anser me when I talk to you... Don’t talk back.
my mother taught me humor- when that lawn mower cuts off your leg, don’t come running over here to me.
Don’t be too hard on the sons of Zebedee’s mother- because she only did what most every mother in the place would do. That is to give your child the best that you know to give.
Quickly:
I. She wanted her sons to be a part of the kingdom of God.
She sought Jesus Christ for the safety and well being of her sons.
she knelt at the feet of Jesus and offered them up, she prayed with sincere love that only a mother could give.
There is not a mother here who if they could wouldn’t give up heaven to insure there children make it.
They usually feel unappreciated and usually don’t get the help they need.
Illustration-
Older brother told to watch his younger brother- a few minutes later the mother hears the baby crying . What happen I watch him fall. I watched him cry. Just like you said.
II. She wanted her children involved in kingdom work.
she knew if they were close to Jesus. They would be doing kingdom work. Doing things that pleased the Lord.
so many people go to church, not involved, leaving it up to someone else. She wanted them busy for God. Many are willing to sit back and do nothing.
Illustration-
At districts, the ordination service was made special because an ordained elder was able to present his daughter her ordination license. There was not a dry eye in the house. As the father wept, daughter wept, ministers around them wept, general superintendent, and over 400 people in the service. What an honor to have your children to serve God.
III. She had great hopes
she knew the God she served. She knew that God has unlimited abilities.
she wanted only the best for her boys. If they were to be laborers for the Lord- that is the will of God.
Closing:
I say it again Don’t be too critical of this mom. She knew who she needed to take care of her children.
Mothers, we honor you today For your examples to us of God’s love
.God tells us to honor our mother. And He does not set any limits to His command. Because she’s our mom, we are to treat her with respect and love.
I pray that if you here and don’t know Jesus, that you will experience right now the love of God.
I pray this morning that those that are struggling with relationships maybe they are not what they should be . I pray that the Lord could change that.
Mothers don’t always live up to our expectations. Sometimes, they experience hardships and challenges that affect their ability to offer what we need or want. Or, they might have a personal weakness that negatively impacts us or our families. But we’re to follow the example of our heavenly Father, who loved us even though we didn’t have any qualities that deserved His favor
If your love one is gone and your not able to make it right, that the love of God would flood your soul offering your forgiveness and peace.
Please rate this sermon so I will know what you thought.
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