A Special Mother
Matthew 1:18-25, John 19:17-27
Good Morning, Happy Mother’s Day!
There is a story of four pastors who got together and were discussing their favorite version of the Bible.
One pastor said, “I like the Old King James version of the Bible, because of its poetic language”
Another pastor said, “I like the American Standard Version, because it is the closest word for word translation.”
Still another pastor said, “I like the Living Translation, because it is so easy to understand”
The fourth minister was there and remained silent for a time, but finally said, “I like my mother’s translation the best”.
The other three pastors were not sure how to respond, and finally said, “We didn’t know your mother made a Bible translation”.
The pastor replied, “Yes she did; she translated the Bible into everyday life…it was the most beautiful and convicting translation I ever saw”.
This pastor was blessed to have a Christ-centered mom who was the most important Bible he had ever seen.
Parents have the unique privilege and responsibility of influencing another human being with the Gospel of Christ.
But this privilege and responsibility is not only for parents.
If you are a Christian, someone who has received the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have been called with a high calling to influence those in you sphere of influence as well.
Whatever position you find yourself in this morning, there is a message for you through God’s Word.
Please open your Bible to two places, turn to John 19:25-27 put a book mark there and then open to Matthew 1:18-25.
This morning, we are going to learn of a very special mom who usually only get’s discussed at Christmas; of course I am speaking of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
If there was ever a mom whose life would have made a great story for a Lifetime for Women movie it would be Mary.
Her story is one of love, commitment and faith that is very inspiring, not only for moms, but for all believers everywhere.
I. An unplanned pregnancy.
Read Matthew 1:18-25
Mary was pledged, or betrothed, to Joseph. Often times in their culture, young children were pledged to another in a pre-arranged marriage by their parents.
Betrothal was official and binding; similar to a marriage engagement; but had a much deeper importance than our modern day practice.
During the time of betrothal the couple was known as husband and wife, and a betrothal could only be broken by divorce.
Mary was betrothed and pregnant prior to the marriage, even though she did not have any physical relations with Joseph.
How would their society expect Joseph to respond to this news?
Everyone would expect Joseph to give Mary a letter of divorce; not for irreconcilable differences, but for supposed adultery.
According to their laws, Mary could have been stoned to death and she would certainly lose all of the rights of inheritance,
References were made during Jesus’ life about the suspicions of Mary and Joseph’s pre-marital relations, in passages like
John 8:18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
John 8:19 Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" NKJV
Later, John 8:39 Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
John 8:41 You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, God." NKJV
Extra-Biblical writings tell us, that lies began to spread that Mary had become pregnant from a Roman soldier.
But here, Matthew set the story straight, for both then and now.
C. H. Spurgeon said, "There was no other way of His being born; for had He been of a sinful father, how should He have possessed a sinless nature?”
“He is born of a woman that He might be human; but not by man, that He might not be sinful." (Spurgeon)
Mary had to live with this innuendo and shameful rendition of her pregnancy with Jesus for most of her life. however…
As we read Matthew 1:19, we start to see the sincere kindness and faith of Joseph by his immediate response.
Joseph was in a terrible situation. What would happen if he were to get married to Mary?
Joseph would be publicly admitting he was the father of this child, that it appeared that he had physical relations with Mary prior to marriage; thus exposing him to be a sinner as well.
Here, the scripture describes Joseph as just, but even Joseph would have remembered the prophecy given within the OT.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. NKJV
Even though this prophesy of Isaiah describes this conception as immaculate, there would be no reason for Joseph to believe it was referring to Mary’s child.
Joseph cared for Mary very much, so rather than exposing her to the consequences of the public knowledge of her supposed adultery; he was going to divorce her quietly.
Re-Read Matthew 1:20-21
As Joseph was dwelling on this situation, the angel comes and tells him how to handle it.
Notice the angel says, “Joseph, son of David”, which is a clue to Joseph something significant was being communicated. This message is a reference to Joseph's lineage to the throne of David
We do not know whether Mary tried to explain to Joseph that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit; but if she had, Joseph did not immediate believe her, and the angel’s visit convinces him.
You shall call his name JESUS
The name Jesus means "Yahweh is salvation" and “Christ” comes from Christos, meaning Anointed One.
The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah to give them a physical victory over all of their captors; but the Lord told them of a different plan for the Messiah.
The baby Jesus’ purpose was clear; “For He will save His people from their sins”.
Jesus saves us first from the penalty of sin, then from the power of sin, and finally from the presence of sin.
Turn over to John 19…
Here in Matthew, we finally see Joseph believed the angel and went to Mary and told her about the visitation from the angel.
Joseph told Mary he believed what she told him; he probably apologized for his distrust of her.
When we take God at His Word, that is called faith and that alone is how we become righteous before a Holy God!
Mary has some sense of relief, at least knowing her husband does not believe she was unfaithful to him or to the Lord.
II. A mother watches her child suffer.
Read John 19:17-24
As Mary watched the following scene unfold, I am sure, like any other mother, Mary wanted to take Jesus’ place.
As the trials, beating, and crucifixions take place; there were probably a lot of questions in her heart, she didn’t understand.
When the Shepherds were told about the birth of Messiah…
Luke 2:18 all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. NKJV
By this time, Mary knew who Jesus was and knew He was the Son of God; so why didn’t He come down off of the cross?
What exactly was Mary witnessing that day?
In 1968, scientists for the first time discovered the remains of a man who was crucified during Jesus' era.
The person had been nailed to the cross, with the nail penetrating the sides of both feet below the heel and the arms stretched out; each victim was stabbed by a nail in the forearm.
Here in the Gospel of John, John spares the gore and only mentions the fact that Jesus was crucified; because the agony of crucifixion was well known to all the people of John’s day.
However, the suffering of Jesus’ cross was more spiritual than physical, because on the cross, a "great exchange" took place.
Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness;
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV
For the first time for eons past, the sinless Son of God had all the sin for eternity past and eternity future poured out on Him.
Just think about how much pain, turmoil, and fear comes from our sin; and try to fathom what all that sin from eternity did to the innocent Savior of the world.
In the Gospel of John we see Pilate was having a personal struggle, knowing Jesus was innocent; but also not wanting to be in trouble with Caesar or continue to fight the Jewish leaders.
Josephus said, Pilate later lost his political position in 36 AD.
So what did Pilate’s compromise buy him?
A few short years of luxury and then he lost his power and position anyway.
Jesus asked a question, Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? NKJV
1. Pilate valued the wrong things; temporary comfort and power instead of heaven and eternity.
2. Pilate feared the wrong things.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. NKJV
3. Pilate failed to heed God’s warning sent by a dream through his wife.
Pilate didn’t listen to a supernatural warning even though it had come through someone he trusted.
4. Pilate failed to take a stand for what he knew was right.
Pilate was double minded, he was torn between two directions. On the one hand, Pilate wanted to do the right thing…but
A little compromise leads to more compromise.
Some believe that Pilate placed the sign, “The King of the Jews” on the cross to try and appease his conscience.
When the chief priests complained about the sign and wanted it changed to state that Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews; but, Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
The religious leaders felt this title was false, because they did not believe that Jesus was the King of the Jews.
They also believed it was demeaning, because it showed Rome's power to humiliate and torture even the "King of the Jews."
But remember God is Sovereign and used Pilate to place a sign on the cross declaring the rightful King, the King of the Jews
When Jesus left heaven, He voluntarily took off His royal robes.
Here as they are getting ready to crucify Jesus, the soldiers took His garments.
Jesus became completely poor for us, so we could become completely rich in Him.
It may seem as if Jesus had no control over these events; yet the hand of God guides and a specific prophecy was fulfilled.
So this broken hearted mother, watched this scene unfold…then
III. Jesus gives His mother away.
Read John 19:25-27
As Jesus is facing impending death at any moment; He offers these parting words. This shows that even to the end, Jesus thought and cared for Mary as well as others.
If there was ever a moment Jesus deserved to be self-focused, this was it; yet He remained others-centered to the end.
Ever since the Fall of Adam in the Garden, the human race has been self centered and self focused.
The Apostle Paul while sitting in prison on death row said…
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. NKJV
One of the last acts of Jesus was to ask John, the “disciple whom He loved”, to take care of Mary like she was his own mother.
Some commentators speculate that Jesus asked John to care for Mary because Mary’s other sons were not yet believers.
Notice what Jesus calls His earthly mother, “Woman”, just as He called her in Cana when He changed the water into wine.
This shows us Jesus’ relationship to His mother changed, from a son and a mother, to a Savior and a woman in need of a Savior.
Jesus loved Mary enough to look out for her and make sure she was taken care of.
Mary’s heart had to be breaking; the tears were probably rolling down her cheeks, as she knelt on the ground and watched this crucifixion take place.
As a man, Jesus was Mary’s biological son; but, as He had been revealing His deity, Jesus showed Mary He is Lord of all.
Finally, at Jesus’ resurrection, Mary is vindicated and her reputation as a fornicator, with a child born out of wedlock, was forever changed.
IV. Practical Application.
Mary had to trust the Lord as she watched Jesus get brutalized, rejected, and crucified; which took real faith.
When societal standards go against Biblical standards, parents need to have the same courage and faith of Mary.
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. NKJV
Parents, it is possible to reject the standard of the world, by faith in Christ, because God’s truth never changes.
In order for someone to be a Christian, who does not waiver in God’s standards, it takes real faith!
It is impossible to raise a child with Biblical morality without the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
In order to parent children in the societal climate in which we live, we need someone stronger than us, to empower us. It takes the Holy Spirit to enable us, as we live with Christ as the center.
I think about Timothy and his mom, who taught him how to live godly. Paul said these words to his protégé Timothy…
2 Timothy 1:3 I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,
2 Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. NKJV
There is a time when God calls us to do something; but there is also a time where God calls us to wait and fully rely on Him.
For us to have a godly influence on those around us, we must:
1. Have a consistent trust and faith in God’s directives.
Mary couldn’t take Jesus’ place; but early in his life, Mary listened and followed the Lord’s leading on how to parent Him.
She could have done things her own way and smothered Jesus; but instead, she was the parent who trusted the raising of her son to the Lord.
Faith is not simply doing good things for our children.
Faith is trusting God with decisions He makes, even when we don’t fully understand.
God sees the end of the situation, before it happens. Sometimes His ways seem outlandish, but we learn to trust and obey His directives anyway.
For us to have a godly influence on those around us, we must:
2. Give up control.
As a person who likes order and control, this is a tough requirement for me personally.
If I see a problem, I want to jump right in and fix it first, and ask God for directions after.
But there are times where our children need to be completely turned over to the Lord, as we allow the Lord to bring them to a place to receive Him.
Sometimes our children won’t depend on God, because we continue to rescue them out of situations as we become enablers.
God may want to bring our children to something they are unable to face, so that they will have to rely on the Lord to be rescued.
Again, this is where godly parents must rely on God’s wisdom to discern what to do. Some of us here today are burdened because of choices our children have made.
Your child may feel trapped in a destructive lifestyle, or worse; but there is a limit to what you can protect your child from.
There are decisions that can destroy and devour our children by their desires and choices.
Jesus Christ came to set you free of the burdens that plaque you!
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. NKJV
But even if you do everything completely right raising your child, they have been given free will.
We must realize that there is a God in heaven, and we are not Him; so we have to give up trying to control other people.
For us to have a godly influence on those around us, we must:
3. Learn and teach God’s truth.
The greatest joy outside of their physical birth, will be directing them to Jesus for their rebirth; but, we cannot teach God’s truth if we are not consistently learning it for ourselves.
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
Deuteronomy 6:You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. NKJV
If you want to discern God’s voice and raise your child in the way they should go…
Learn and teach God’s truth, because you can’t give away what you have not received.
• Teach them God’s truth when you sit in your house
• Teach them God’s truth when you walk by the way
• Teach them God’s truth when you lie down
• Teach them God’s truth when you rise up
God wants us to allow Him to re-align our priorities and lives!
And then, in His mercy and forgiveness will still allow you to play apart in His plan of salvation for our children!
The only time it is too late for a person, and if they die without receiving Jesus as their Savior!
Being a Christ-centered example, begins with having a strong faith like Mary did.
