THE BRANCH OF MOTHERHOOD
Text: John 15:1-8
John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. (2) He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. (3) You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (6) Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples (NRSV).
How can we relate Mother’s Day to today’s text, John 15:1 – 8? We can relate Motherhood to today’s text by thinking of Motherhood as a branch on the Vine that Jesus is talking about.
A vine in the words of Jesus serves as a metaphor, a life line to all that grows from it. To be detached from the vine is to die. our fellowship with our Lord. That is what Jesus meant when He said “I am the Vine and you are the branches and apart from Me, you can do nothing”. If we are a child of God, then we are connected with Jesus Christ who is the life-giving vine. This morning, we will take a look at the Branch of Motherhood. If a mother is detached from the fellowship of God, then how can she be fruitful toward God?
The pages of history are filled with those whose lives were fruitful. Consider this small inventory of children whose mothers made a difference. Among the names of some who changed history is Saint Augustine, a church father whose mother prayed for him without ceasing; John Wesley, whose mother Susannah Wesley is known as the mother of Methodism; Karl Barth, a great theologian who by his account was inspired by his mother; General George Patton whose mother, according to Paul Harvey helped him tremendously in his childhood with his reading, writing, and horse –back riding [equestrian skills], and countless others. Insert your own name and consider what your mother did for you! Motherhood is a stewardship that leaves its mark.
MOTHERHOOD IS A STEWARDSHIP
How is it that motherhood is a stewardship? Does it seem odd to call the role of motherhood a stewardship? A steward is a caretaker. 1) Stewardship of motherhood: A steward takes care of things that belong to someone else. 2) Like a shepherd: A good example of stewardship is shepherds taking care of the sheep of their flock. Motherhood is a stewardship. 3) Shaping history: Napoleon once said, “Let France have good mothers and she will have good sons”. [So what happened to Napoleon and his mother’s influence on him, or lack thereof?] Napoleon also said, “The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother”. [Again, what happened to Napoleon?] (Dr. George Sweeting. Special Sermons For Special Days. Chicago: Moody Press, 1977, p. 63). Consider how the Bible describes the stewardship of parenthood: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV). Proverbs 22:6 help us to see that a child’s discipline effects his or her destiny.
How do Christian mothers view their role of motherhood differently?
1) God’s influence: Christian mothers strive to involve God and His influence all that they do. Christian mothers live their lives striving to be as Christ-like as they can be.
2) Modeling faith: Christian mothers live out their faith in their roles of mothers as they seek to help their children establish two very important things.
3) Staying attached: A branch cannot live if it is detached from the vine (John 15:5). Christian mothers want to teach their children to have roots to keep them grounded in their Christian upbringing so that when they are older they will use their wings responsibly.
How important are roots and wings? To answer that question consider a study that someone once did exploring the difference between those who were raised in Christian homes and those who were not. Look at these two lives and consider how well and how poor the roles of the mothers must have been for these two people and their descendents.
The first person in this study was Jonathon Edwards. He was a minister who had a great deal to do with the Great Awakening. He married a devout Christian young lady. From their union came 729 descendants. “Of these, 300 were ministers, 65 were college professors, 13 were university presidents, 60 were authors of good books, 3 were United States congressmen, and one was vice president of the United States. Most made a significant contribution to society”. (Brian L. Harbour. From Cover To Cover. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1982, p. 118).
The second person in this study was Max Jukes, an unbeliever who lived close to Edwards. “He married an unbeliever and from that union came 1,026 descendants. Of these, 300 died early in life, 100 went to prison for an average of 13 years apiece, 200 were prostitutes, and 100 were alcoholics. The descendants of this man cost the state more than a million dollars to care for them” (Harbour, p. 118).
When we compare these two people and their descendents we cannot help but to ask how did their mothers look at their roles? What kind of stewards were they? What is the difference in the kinds of roots and wings that they established?
MOTHERHOOD MAKES A MARK
Motherhood makes a mark because it leaves a legacy. If you consider the comparison between the lives and descendents of Jonathan Edwards and Max Jukes we can clearly see that a legacy is not only something that is handed down from one generation to the next. A legacy, as we have seen can be something that leaves a mark in history for the better or for the worse.
How do Christian mothers view the legacies they pass on? Consider the influence of Susannah Wesley on the lives of her children, especially her two most well known sons Charles and John Wesley.
“Susannah Wesley, the mother of Charles, John, and 15 other children, followed these rules in training them: (1) Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul. (2) Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak. (3) Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely. (4) To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed. (5) Commend and reward good behavior. (6) Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child”. (Bible Believer’s Commentary). We do not have to wonder about the mark that Susannah’s motherhood made on the world.
Consider the marks that mothers of other historical figures have made.
?“George Washington’s mother was a patriotic and religious woman”. ((Dr. George Sweeting. Special Sermons For Special Days. Chicago: Moody Press, 1977, p. 64). . He became our first President.
?“Lord Bacon’s mother was a woman of superior intelligence and deep piety” (devotion). (Sweeting, p. 64).
?The mother of Patrick Henry was well known for her conversational ability. (Sweeting, p. 64).
?Sir Walter Scott’s mother was a great lover of poetry and literature.
?Nero’s mother was greedy, lustful, and a murderess. (Sweeting, p. 64).
?“After becoming president, Abraham Lincoln generously said, “All that I am, or can become, I owe to my angel mother”. (Sweeting, p. 64).
?“A reporter once asked the great theologian Karl Barth: “Sir, you have written many huge volumes about God; tell me how do you know it is all true?” The learned German, eye laughing, is said to have answered, “My mother told me.” (Lewis B. Smedes. How Can It Be Alright When Everything Is All Wrong. New York: Pocet Books, 1982, p. 128).
The way that a mother cares for her children will leave a legacy and make a mark. There is no denying that Christian motherhood is a branch that receives its life from Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus we cannot do anything that is fruitful toward God. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
