Mothers and Mary
Good Morning Friends,
Without question, motherhood has always been one of life’s highest callings. Mothers have a way of changing the course of history. And God somehow provides them with favor as they join in the continuation of creation. With that thought in mind today we look at seven extraordinary mothers of the Bible that played critical roles in the coming of Jesus the Christ. Today we explore the connection between Mothers and Mary.
Scripture: Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born
will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:34-38 (NRSV)
Message: Most of the mothers in the Bible lived in an age when women were definitely treated as second class citizens, yet God showed appreciation of their true worth, just as he does today. Seven mothers, in the Bible, in addition to Mary come to my mind this morning as having received the grace of the God of the Impossible.
The seven of them represent a rich tapestry of real motherhood that is woven into the life of Mary. Here we see in the Biblical storyline as well as the personal one, a lot of built up excitement and anticipation followed by years of work and moments of intense pain. Today we take a brief look at seven extraordinary mothers this Mother’s Day and how they in their own ways are like an eighth mother, the mother of Jesus:
EVE- Mary like Eve, the original mother, was the mother of the first born of a new creation. Mary like Eve had to bury her son.
SARAH-Mary like Sarah, the mother of Isaac had a miraculous birth that would be a covenant promise fulfilled. A messenger of the Lord foretells that both Mary and Sarah would be delivering a promised baby.
JOCHEBED- Mary like Jochebed, the mother of Moses and Aaron, showed tremendous faith in God avoiding the mass slaughter of Hebrew boys and birthed a boy that came to free the people for the bondage of slavery.
BATHSHEBA- Mary like Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, gave birth to one of the most highly regarded and wisest men in the Bible. Mary’s like Bathsheba’s motherhood gives women hope that, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your pregnancy and the birth of your child, God can redeem any situation.
RUTH-Mary like Ruth, the grandmother of King David married an older man. Mary and Ruth are models of loving kindness that promotes well-being in others. Both demonstrate loyalty and obedience. Both are woman of noble character that are engaged in a story of redemption.
HANNAH- Mary like Hannah, the mother of Samuel the prophet loved God and had a son dedicated to God. Both sang to the Lord hymns of praise and undoubtedly they sang to their own children as well.
ELIZABETH- Mary like Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, conceived a life in very close proximity and both gave birth to sons that would become great prophets. Both were killed in the line of their work. Both were Elizabeth and Mary were miracle mothers in the Bible.
On this Mother’s Day I think it appropriate for us each to meditate on how our mothers are like Mary.
Pray we appreciate the dignity and grace conferred on mothers. Pray we rejoice in their privilege to share in the creative miracle that can bring new saints not just into the world but to heaven as well. Pray we learn from the example of Mary…and the example of our own mothers of the blessings of family. Pray we ask for God’s grace and our participation in the salvation of children you call your own. Pray for mothers around the world that nurture children in the faith, teaching about love and grace. Pray mothers this day receive the strength, courage, compassion and peace of the Creator of us all.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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