MOTHERS: GOD’S PRECIOUS GIFT TO US

Matthew 20:17-23

We are all recipients of God’s precious gifts. God knowing exactly what we all need in life has continually bestowed to us His rich blessings. James, the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem reminded the believers of this fact in James 1:17:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I believe without God’s good and perfect gifts it would be impossible for anyone to thrive or even survive in this life.

I’m sure we all will agree that MOTHERS are one of God’s precious gifts to us. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that God has intentionally designed mothers to be a significant part of our existence to function as the extension of His loving care. They are truly special. And this is the reason why Mother’s Day is such a great celebration. On this day, we take the opportunity to honor and appreciate all the mothers for all the things they do to make our lives better.

To show how valuable they are to us, I have chosen a text which highlights a remarkable mother. As you examine the passage, you might criticize Mrs. Zebedee, the mother of James and John for her behavior, but In today’s message I hope I can convince you of her greatness. I know the Lord Jesus has turned down her request, but you will not find Jesus rebuking her or condemning her. In a positive note, I believe her behavior reveal some powerful truths about mothers which deserve our attention. Allow me to help all us sort through this story and highlight the good qualities of Mrs. Zebedee which makes her a precious gift to her sons, James and John:

I     HER PRECIOUS SACRIFICE:

For mothers in general, nothing is more important than to see that their children experience the best in life. They would be willing to take every possible sacrifice in order for this to happen. In this day and age, we would see so many mothers who mange to work as hard as they could in their jobs and at the same time fulfill all their household chores. I know how many of these mothers can hardly find time for themselves, yet they continue to faithfully discharge their responsibilities. King Solomon in his great wisdom had put so much value on this quality. At one time, there were two women who were fighting claiming motherhood over a baby. In order to determine the real mother, Solomon gave out a test on the basis of sacrifice.

I’m sure it was not an easy decision to consider approaching Jesus Christ on behalf of her sons. But just like any mother, the thought of giving her sons the best life was enough to do what she did. There is absolutely no better place for her sons than to be nearest to Jesus, and be involved in His kingdom. Now let me ask you, If you were the mother of James and John, would you have done the same? I could see many mothers doing exactly what she did.

II    HER PRECIOUS SUPPLICATIONS:

Another reason why Mrs. Zebedee stands out in the Bible is because of her willingness to make a big request to Jesus. She was so focus on the best interests of her kids, and so when she had a chance, she made that request. For me, she is a great example of a praying mother. Godly mothers are always prayerful because they understand that they are so dependent on God for the future of their children.

It reminds me of another great mother in the Bible who experienced the power of prayer because of her desire to be a mother. Her experience is found in:

Hannah’s earnest petition was heard by the Lord, and she gave birth to a son named Samuel. He later became one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. If you would ask, how did Samuel become a successful man? I would not hesitate to refer to his praying mother. I sincerely believe her answered prayer which gave her Samuel moved her to more prayers. Throughout history, many great men and women have testified that the secret of their greatness lies in the prayers of their mothers.

“I cannot tell how much I owe to the prayers of my good mother. I remember her once praying, "Now Lord, if my children go on in sin it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold on Christ and claim Him as their personal Savior." cannot tell how much I owe to the prayers of my good mother. I remember her once praying; "Now Lord, if my children go on in sin it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold on Christ and claim Him as their personal Savior."

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Mothers, how much time do you spend praying for your children? Pray for all your children regularly. Pray that they will grow in their love and fear of God. Pray that they will honor God in their lives so that God will honor them with success. The prayers you make for your children will never be in vain.

III   HER PRECIOUS SUPPORT

The last truth I want to emphasize about Mrs. Zebedee is her absolutely confidence towards her sons. If you think she was so presumptuous for asking Jesus to put James and John on the right and left hand of the throne, I would submit to you that she in her request also conveyed the fact that she honestly believed in the abilities of her sons. She really believed in her heart that both of them can carry out the responsibilities related to those positions.

Praise God for mothers for believe in their children so much that they will continue to challenge their children to achieve great things in life. Listen to the testimony of the great inventor Thomas Edison:

I did not have my mother long, but she cast over me an influence which has lasted all my life. The good effects of her early training I can never lose. If it had not been for her appreciation and her faith in me at a critical time in my experience, I should never likely have become an inventor. I was always a careless boy, and with a mother of different mental caliber, I should have turned out badly. But her firmness, her sweetness, her goodness, were potent powers to keep me in the right path. My mother was the making of me. The memory of her will always be a blessing to me.

In her book, Letters to My Daughters, Republican Strategist Mary Matalin captures a universal truth when she writes, "No one else, ever, will think you're great the way your mother does." There is a sense of confidence that children derive from their mother's belief in them that propels them to great achievements.

Did you have a mother who believe in you? I hope you will take the time today to thank God for them and appreciate them today. Mothers are never perfect, but in their love and labor they are truly one of God’s real blessings to us. May we continue to honor them by living the kind of lives they want for us to have. May God's rich blessings reside in our mothers!