The Heart of a Mother

Introduction

Someone has said that a mother’s heart is like the heart of God – I think there’s a lot of truth to that. A mother will give her life that her children can be saved – a mother will never leave you or forsake you – a mother is willing to hurt you or make you uncomfortable in order to see you in a better position – a mother can forgive your sin; and she can even forget it. Let’s take a look at such a mother here today. Helen Young writes, "There will come a time when there’ll be no more slamming doors, no more toys to pick up, no more childhood quarrels, and no more fingerprints on the wallpaper. Then may I look back with joy and not regret.

May I have the wisdom to see that today is my day with my children, that there are no unimportant moments in their lives, that no career is more precious, no work more rewarding, and no task more urgent. May I not defer it, nor neglect it, but gladly accept it and understand that my time is short and my time is now, for my children won’t wait."

I. A child, John 19:25.

A. His birth, Luke 2:7.

…wrapped him in swaddling clothes… Luke 2:7. A mother’s love doesn’t begin when she puts on that first diaper – it begins at conception. The moment described in our text was a moment that had been in Mary’s heart since the day the angel appeared unto her. The day she could touch her baby – feel the warmth of His body and place a kiss on His cheek. You see a great truth here – mothers don’t start loving their kids – nor do they stop. Listen carefully here! There was never a time Mary decided to love her Son – it was always within her spirit to love her children. Not only did she love Him before His birth, but also she loved Him before His life.

B. His childhood, Luke 2:41-52.

…Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us… vs. 48. Jesus was just like any other boy – He worried His parents – He brought sorrow to their hearts. But notice vs. 51 …his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Mama forgave Him – but this verse says one thing more about Mama – she not only forgave – she forgot – love beyond measure – to be able to forget. She watched her child grow in statue and wisdom – and all the while her love for Him never changed – never ceased. You see, a mother never starts loving her child and she never stops. Not only do we see she loved Him before His birth and before His life, but also we see she loved Him before His death.

II. An adult, John 19:25. 

A. His life, John 19:25.

Now there stood… vs. 25. When was His mother there? Now – not only "then" but every time it was appropriate – every time “now” was the time she was there. Mark 3:30-31 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. There came then his brethren and his mother… When He was troubled she was there. John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: When He had pleasure she was there.

B. His death, John 19:25.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother… vs. 25. When He died she was there. Where were His disciples? Notice Matthew 26:56 …Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. His mother was there loving Him – even to the point of collapsing under the pain of watching Her son die! I’m convinced that few things can get to the heart of God faster than the prayers of a godly mother. More than once it has been a mother’s prayers that sustained us – many of our blessings are the answer to a loving mother’s prayers. Someone has well spoken "Men are what their mother’s make them." Love drew Mary to the cross because she loved Him before He was born – she loved Him in his life – she loved Him after He died. Nothing can separate a mother’s love for her children. Her love compelled her to visit another place – His grave. It was there that her heart was healed as she stood and talked to her Son. Love should compel us to go on as well for if you’ve done our job as a mother I believe you have a great event to look forward to if your child has died. The day you’ll hear them say “Thanks for loving me, Mom.” And with outstretched arms you’ll once more embrace. Whether your child has left you or you leave them – you’ll meet again because God knows how we feel – and He loves us.