Mothers: Guardians of the Heart
Intro: One mom was out walking with her 4-year-old daughter when her girl picked up something from the ground and started to put it in her mouth. The mother tells what happens in her own words: “I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.” My daughter quickly asked, “Why?” “Because it’s been lying outside, you don’t know where it’s been, it’s dirty and probably has germs,” I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, “Wow! How do you know all this stuff?” I thought quickly and said, “All moms know this stuff. It’s on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don’t let you be a Mommy.” We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, as she pondered this new information. “Oh...I get it!” she beamed, “So if you don’t pass the test you have to be the daddy?” I smiled and replied, “Exactly.”
-Bless you moms! You’ve passed the mommy test! We want to honor every woman here today. If you’re over 18, would you please stand so we can celebrate your serving and applaud the impact you have on so many around you? I’m hoping you will be encouraged and affirmed as we look at how important women were, and are, to Jesus.
-When we consider the role of women in the ministry of Jesus, it becomes apparent that He did not hold to the rabbinical teachings of his day. In fact, his ministry represents a break in Judaism in regards to the role of women…Some have called his approach nothing short of revolutionary….Jesus placed a high value on women and saw them as intrinsically equal to men. This was without precedent in contemporary Judaism.
-We see multiple examples of Jesus interacting with women, confusing the crowds and even his disciples. He regularly addressed women, something unheard of for a rabbi. The Samaritan woman (John 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8), the widow at Nain (Luke 7:12-13), the woman with a bleeding disorder (Luke 8:48), and a Gentile woman (Matthew 15:22-28) were all recipients of His care, compassion, and grace. The parables, Jesus’ favorite way of teaching, were filled with positive examples of women (see Matthew 13:33; Luke 18:1-8; Luke 15; and Mark 12:38-44). In fact, Jesus assumes that women would learn and encourages Martha to be more like Mary, who sat at his feet to be instructed by Him (Luke 10:38-42). Whereas the rabbis would rather burn the Law than teach it to a woman, Jesus expected them to learn and apply the lessons He taught. It is important to note that Jesus also held women personally responsible for their own sins (John 4; John 8; Luke 7). (Jeff Williams, unpublished draft of Ordination Paper, May 2006).
-So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at our text today for Mother’s Day, where we can learn some things about the heart of a Mother.
Matthew 27:55-56 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
-God values the women He has made and has assigned them as guardians of our hearts. They tend to our needs and take care of our hurts and problems because they do not want us to become damaged by the stuff of life. In fact God has placed in Moms something ferocious when it comes to protecting the hearts of their kids. I’ve identified 4 characteristics of a Godly Mom from these 2 verses. Let’s take a look at them.
1. A Godly Mom is there when you need her
Matthew 27:55 “Many women were there…”
-Several women could be found in the proximity of Jesus throughout His ministry on this earth. In fact, some of them supported Him financially. Luke 8:1-3 The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
-If we focus in on Mary the mother of Jesus, I wonder how many conversations Jesus had with her while growing up? How many times did He fall and hurt Himself and Mary was there to pick Him up and help Him? Or how many times did Jesus have to deal with unkind, scornful words from others in their community who considered Him to be an illegitimate child, conceived out of wedlock? Mary was there for Him throughout His childhood and continued to be there for Him during His adult years.
-Many of you could probably relate some times when your mom was there for you. And it’s possible that some of you remember times when your mom wasn’t. We can be thankful for the good memories and learn to forgive the failures of the past. The most important concern is are you willing to be there for those around you who need your compassion and acceptance?
2. A Godly Mom watches over those they love
Matthew 27:55 “Many women were there, watching from a distance.”
-Moms are always watching, keeping an eye on us, protecting us, doing what they can to keep us from harm. As these women watched the horrific events of the day, they knew they were powerless to intervene. Their motherly hearts were breaking as they witnessed the abuse that Jesus endured at the hands of the executioners… and finally the death of the one they loved.
-The watching didn’t stop there, however. Down in v. 61 we find two of them watching the tomb. And then on Sunday they came back to watch the tomb again, hoping to gain access so they could wrap fragrant spices around the body of Jesus.
-Moms are watchers – guardians of the heart.
-Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother - in the house was looking out the window - saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal and, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.
But, some wounds are because God has refused to let go of us. Remember the fierceness or ferocity of a Mother’s love? Guess where that came from? God Himself. And when He watches over us, it is not a passive thing! He is actively involved in our lives, sometimes pulling us to safety, sometimes giving us discipline, always giving us what we need to be faithful to Him and to keep moving ahead with Him.
3. A Godly Mom follows Jesus
Matthew 27:56 “They had followed Jesus from Galilee…”
-These women had been following Jesus for what may have been 3 and ½ years. They had been around and heard His teachings. They had witnessed many of His miracles. These women of resource had invested themselves in Who He was and what He was doing.
-I always have to admire the spiritual attentiveness I often see in women of faith. Somehow, they seem to have some extra wires that we men do not seem to have that give them a greater spiritual awareness. Perhaps that is one reason there are usually more women than men in church.
-Mothers, the greatest gift you can give to your children is to pass on to them the faith and love you have for Jesus. (Dads too, but we’ll focus on that in another month.)
2 Timothy 1:5 “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
-Moms, follow Jesus and pass it on to your kids and those around you!
4. A Godly Mom cares for the needs of those they love
Matthew 27:56 “They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.”
-Moms give and give and give, often with very little thanks or reward. They go to great trouble to care for the needs of their families (lack of sleep, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, often working outside the home, and so much more). Many single moms have to try to fill the role of a Daddy as well (this is a place where the church family can help).
-Moms not only tend to the physical needs of their family, but the emotional and spiritual needs as well. I can’t tell you how many people attribute their own faith and motivation to the prayers of their mother.
Conclusion: Moms, you have a tough job! You’ve passed the “Mommy Test” and now it’s a life of continual service. There are moments of reward, but I also know there is stress, heartache, and tons of work involved. We just want to say that what you do really does matter. It really does make a difference! Hang in there! Keep up the good work! We’d be lost without you! Keep on watching, following Jesus, caring for needs, and being there for your family. God has made you a guardian of the hearts and lives of those under your care.
-I’d like to suggest another test this morning that we all need to pass. No matter who you are, a relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship you will ever have. Your marital status, or whether you’re a mom (or dad), is not the most important thing about you. You matter to God for who you are. On this Mother’s Day, remember that you are not defined primarily by your role in a family but by your relationship to Jesus as His follower. Jesus redefines what is of ultimate importance in Mark 3:35. The crowd had singled out Jesus’ natural family, indicating that his mother and brothers were there. Notice how Jesus redirects this to show that a love relationship that leads to obedience is more important than any earthly family ties: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Question: Are you in His family?
-He sure wants you to be! And you can be today if you will respond to His invitation. What is His invitation? Come to Me… Maybe we all need to hear His invitation and whether we’ve answered it in the past or not, answer it today and come close to Him. He will give us rest from a weary life of demands and expectations and unwanted surprises. He calls us to link our lives with Him and He will lead us and help us.
-Listen to this song and let it encourage you before we go our separate ways today.
[Come to Me – Kari Jobe]
