Mother's Day

On this Lord’s Day Sunday, many people, regardless of religious persuasions, colour, class or status, are celebrating Mother’s Day. As believers, in our Risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,  we take this as another opportunity to pay special attention to mothers, in our continuous love and admiration for all who have mothered children, be it their own children, or otherwise.

God has honoured mothers, for in speaking of His people through His prophet Isaiah, this is what He says. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Isaiah 66: 13. God has lifted high a mother’s comfort and has likened His own tender care and comfort to His children and by extension, His Church, to that of a mother’s comfort.

The writer of Proverbs, while holding up the instruction of a father, is very wise concerning a mother’s teaching. Listen, my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1: 8 – 9. He who has been endued with the wisdom of God, speaks of Divine wisdom, when he lifts high the teaching of a mother. 

We listen to what Paul says, as he writes his second letter to Timothy, his son in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is attributing whatever faith he has seen in Timothy, to his grandmother and his mother. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1: 5.

Both the living, active, teaching faith of these two women in Timothy’s life, his mother and grandmother, shaped and informed his faith in God. Paul goes on to encourage and admonish Timothy to be faithful and true in faith to Jesus, their Lord and Master. He who saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of the Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1: 9 – 10.

We thank God for mothers, all women who have been our example and continue to be examples of faith in our Risen Lord. We give thanks for the Church, she whom Jesus has instituted to guide, nourish, teach, build up and comfort us, His sheep and lambs.

Just like Timothy’s granny and mommy, who have been his inspiration, pattern and example of great faith in Jesus Christ, may all mothers, all women who nurture and care for others in whichever way, be blessed and each continues to grow stronger and more resilient in faith.

We offer a special prayer for the Church, as “A Mother in Israel” that she may know the Indwelling Lord, our Risen Saviour. May she be a beacon of Resurrection Light and Glory, a bastion of Resurrection Life and Power, and a beneficiary of Spirit and Truth. 

In repentance, we confess with shame and guilt that as the Church, we have not been the examples and patterns we ought to have been. Faith has waned and we have failed to stand up for Jesus in boldness and truth. We have not lived in Resurrection Glory and might. We are asking our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness for things we have done and have not done; spoken and have not spoken; which deny the Resurrection of Jesus.

Please Jesus, Risen and Conquering Lord, forgive us for our ignorance and the ways we destroy the faith of others. Lord, save us please. Amen!

Having confessed our weakness of faith, and identified our shaky lives regarding the power and truth of the Resurrection of Jesus, this week we shall look at how fallacies about our Lord’s Resurrection are still very much with us. We shall be brought back to living, uncovered facts of truth, as we daily seek our Lord’s pardon and presence, in repentance and returning.