Mother’s Day
Since the beginning of time there have been mothers. This is an alarming statement to many I am sure. I am sorry to have offended your sensibilities with such a bold statement.
Of course I speak in jest, as we all know this elementary statement to be true. If you were born you do indeed have a mother and since all of you reading this have been in fact born this article is for you.
This Holiday, widely celebrated in honor of ones own mother, was pioneered by the granddaughter of a woman who made the first appeal. This Anna Jarvis was the daughter of someone who carried on her mothers legacy. Jarvis finally unified the world around the simple idea that mothers, regardless of vocation or amount of children, make a selfless sacrifice worthy of recognition and high honor. Lives lived for the service and development of others should be rewarded with continued gratitude and praise. No one does this better than Mom. These tenants were the ones that finally appealed to the masses and established the day. Like many things touched by the American Capitalistic machine the commercialization of the celebrations have “cheapened” the original intent, but this would not stop those who truly understand the value and hard work of their own mothers from celebrating like Ms. Jarvis dreamed of.
This celebration of course is one that is revered in the hearts and minds of Christians as the Bible is replete with stories, celebration, and honor of great Mothers and women. Jesus exemplified the care and honor expected for a mother when He entrusted His own mom to the beloved disciple moments before He drew His last breath. I believe this realization is important to us to better understand why Paul made an appeal that Jerusalem is the mother of us all. Of course his purpose was to say the Church is the Mother of us All. The body of believers endued with the promise of the Holy Spirit will be considered Jerusalem on that great and glorious day. That Covenant made, that promise of the new heavenly city, that covenant originally born in Abraham and now Spiritually born in all disciples, calls the church forward to her responsibility as a mother.
The Church As A Mother
Paul explains in his letter to the church in Galatia the Spiritual lineage of believers makes us Abraham’s promised sons and God’s chosen people through being “grafted-in.” Anyone born again of water and Spirit has entered into the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of those old covenants. The promise of a home in Heaven in this new covenant is part of that great reward that was prophesied of since the fall. Those who are born of course are born from a mother. This is why Paul uses the example of Jerusalem, or the church, being the mother of us all. You can read these words in verses 26-31:
The church’s role as the mother of believers is important for us to understand as it helps us explain principles and practices of our modern congregations. Mothers birth, nurture, and release. The church has the responsibility to do the same according to the great commission.
The church must help believers be “born” into the Kingdom of God. It must also provide a safe and caring environment for these babies to mature into “saints perfected for the work of the ministry.” Once these believers are ready to “leave the nest,” like natural mothers we trust them to go and accomplish Kingdom purpose on their own. Our children now making disciples of their own and watching them produce more fruit for the Kingdom.
The example of natural things is what is best used to help us understand these spiritual principles and why most of our Gospel reading comes in the form of parables. So, in an attempt to better understand, I will share some observations of the “natural mother” that helped me better understand our role in the church as a spiritual mother.
The Example of a Mother
There are only two mothers in my life that I can glean such an experiential knowledge about how the Church is to function in this role. It is one thing to know about something but to know it through experience is another thing all together. It is the pinnacle of knowledge.
These two women are of course my mother and the mother of my children, my beautiful bride.
Examples lived through these mothers have taught me a tremendous amount about motherhood. Not that I will ever have the full knowledge or revelation of what this entails but I take notes dutifully as I remember the example my mother lived and watch my wife live it with our children.
Of course maybe these are not the greatest attributes and certainly not exhaustive but in my rumination's this week I have surmised three characteristics that I believe give us a good understanding of the Church’s operation in her motherly role.
What Does that Mean for Me?
My appeal to you today is two-fold. In understanding the burden and selfless lifestyle a mother must adopt, as it is thrust upon her just by simply giving birth, be sure to give high honor to those women in your life: your own brith-giver, the mother of your children, the church mothers that cared you into the men and women of God you are today.
Pay special attention to honor them in a way that they pause and understand the genuineness of your compliment. Do not get caught up in the commercialization of the day and dread the gift, card, and flower purchase but write a letter, embrace them to arrest their attention and speak strong words of gratitude and encouragement, something special.
Finally, adopt the character that Jesus proclaims is that of the church: love the brethren unconditionally, give care that nurtures growth to maturity, and embrace often to celebrate wins and to comfort losses. Let the Church operate as she has been called: The Mother of Us All. Happy Mother’s Day!
Let's build together.