There's Nothing Like A Mother's Love (Mother's Day 2020 Version)

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A MOTHER'S LOVE (Mother's Day 2020 version)

Texts: Isaiah 66:13, Luke 13:34, Proverbs 31: 26 & 28

Isaiah 66:13? As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem (NRSV).

Luke 13:34? O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (NRSV).

Proverbs 31:26, 28: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. …. Her children rise up and call her blessed. (NRSV).

A young, awkward boy grew up in southern California, plagued by a learning disability that in later years would be called dyslexia. But with his mother’s encouragement and admonishment, he became a strong and capable leader. Years later he was commanding thousands of your Americans in war. When General George S. Patton (aka old “Blood and Guts”) found himself in North Africa grappling with the German Army, His thoughts on the battlefield were often of his mother.

It was his mother, he often told colleagues, who ingrained in him the leadership qualities that he was to become famous for. His only regret was that he never expressed sufficient appreciation to her. “Darling Mama,” he began in a letter he wrote after her death, in words that pained him, “You are still very near. I never showed you in life the love I really felt nor my admiration for your courage.” (Quoted from http://www.familyfirst.net/pressroom/historicalmoms.htm). In the words of Paul Harvey, "… the ally, the constant companion who read to him what he could not read … who first taught our nation's greatest cavalryman how to ride. … The friend of his Youth who recognized the first beginnings of greatness in a small boy---and prepared him for a world of men-----as a woman. Mrs. George Patton, Senior. His mother." (Paul Harvey. The Rest Of The Story. New York: Bantam Books, 1997, p. 47). When Patton speaks of his mother's courage, it was as if he were expressing his gratitude beyond what he felt that any words could ever have conveyed. There was no doubt that Patton found comfort and motivation in his mother's courage. She nurtured him in body, mind and spirit in his youth. God's comforting nurture is a lot like that.

Isaiah 66:13 parallels the kind of help that God gives to the consolation and comfort that a mother gives to her children: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem" (RSV). God takes care of us much like a mother takes care of her children. God provides for us beyond what we are able to fully comprehend! Comfort involves compassion, encouragement and sympathy.

MOTHERS ARE COMPASSIONATE

Who comforts her children when they have had a tough day? Is it the siblings or the mother? Think about sibling rivalries and how they factor into the answer to this question.

1) Sibling rivalry: The Bible mentions sibling rivalries between Cain and Able, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers and let’s not forget the elder brother of the parable of the prodigal son. Dr. James Dobson, in his book, The Strong- Willed Child, writes: ''If American women were asked to indicate the most irritating feature of child rearing, I'm convinced that sibling rivalry would get their unanimous vote. Little children (and older ones too) are not content just to hate each other in private. They attack one another like miniature warriors, mobilizing their troops and probing for a weakness in the defensive line. They argue, hit, kick, scream, grab toys, taunt, tattle, and sabotage the opposing force.'' https://www.sermonsearch.com/sermon-outlines/15830/sibling-rivalry-in-the-home/ [Ken Trivette]. Sometimes we might see a sibling being sympathetic on a tough day but certainly not always.

2) Mothers: I think we would all agree that mothers are exceptional at showing compassion to her children. They know how to respond when a child is in need of comforting. I remember an episode when I was a child, I was helping my mother do the dishes. As I went to put one up, I dropped it and broke it. I felt badly about it. Yet, my mother consoled me. The grace of God is a lot like that. Consider Matthew 9:37: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (NIV). When Jesus gave them the support and guidance that they needed, it gave them hope where it was lacking. A mother looks after her children and guides them much like a shepherd looks after his sheep.

Does a mother ’s compassion model her devotion? There is always something that needs to be done and yet time is short.