MOTHER

This article is written in memory of my good mother.

My mother was the most beautiful and skillful woman I ever know. All I am I owe to my godly mother. I attribute all my virtues and values and tastes in life to my moral and spiritual education I received from my mother. She always lives in my heart and then we will be in the Kingdom of Heaven for eternity. The value of a good and godly mother not even $1 billion can buy.

This article is written to let you know not only the importance of motherhood, it is great to be a mother, for a mother has the greatest influence and impact on her children for better or worse. A good mother can produce good children, and eventually good people. Only good people can build a good society. Mother is the most intimate person to a human being. An infant first learns to say Mama before he can say Papa. To have a good mother is worth more than $1 billion dollars. Oh, no, $1 billion cannot buy a good mother. A good mother is invaluable. Blessed is he/she who has a good mother.

God considers the importance of parenthood and lays down His law:

Exo 21:15

“He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”

Exo 21:17

“He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”

I have met millions of peoples in the world, some of the finest. One mother impressed me very much. She was the wife of the Spanish Consul in Copenhagen years ago. One day I happened to be on the same train with her and her young daughter. I was captivated by their affectionate and melodious conversation although I did not understand a word they said. I could not tell what language it was. There are many languages that I could tell what they are although I do not speak them. I discovered they were speaking Castilian Spanish which was very different from the coarse Mexican Spanish I used to hear in California. There was no language as beautiful as the way they spoke. As regards my own mother, I can objectively say and describe her as the most gracious, kind, tender, generous, gifted, patient, honest, understanding and loving mother in the world. She was so gifted that she cooked most delicious food better than any chefs in the best restaurants of five stars hotel on earth. She was a natural nurse with tender loving care to treat her children in pain, illness or injury better than Florence Nightingale. My mother was the greatest blessing God had granted to me and I am eternally grateful.

1. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife.

Gen 2:24 , “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

Note: The word “mother” in Hebrew is ‘ em, which means a female parent；- it occurs about 220 times in the Old Testament. The reason of a man joining to his wife requires him to leave his father and mother. Leaving even your mother is a necessary step in joining to your wife. This may imply it is not good for a young married couple to live with their parents. When a man is married to his wife, he should not let his mother meddle too much of the relationship between him and his wife. A man is joined to his woman for life, for better or worse. A mother should not stand in the way of her son joining to his wife.

Mat 19:5 , “And said: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” The secret of a happy marriage is that the two (man and woman) become one flesh. Mar 10:7, “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife.” Marriage is worthy cause that man and woman have to dedicate themselves to it. Cleave in Greek is proskollaō which means to glue to, glue upon, join one’s self to closely, stick to; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. The concept of sticking to one wife precludes adultery or divorce. The man shall leave his father and mother behind because he is starting a new life.

Eph 5:31, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” One flesh suggests the most intimate relationship. Marriage is the most intimate relationship between a man and a woman. Parents, stay behind your son and daughter. Do not interfere with their marital relationship. The idea of marriage between a man and a man, a woman and a woman is unnatural, un-Scriptural, diabolical, and condemned by God. For in the beginning God created Adam and created Eve for his mate. Although the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, God condemns it. The U.S. presidents and judges who promote and legalize homosexuality and same-sex marriage will face the Judgment of God.

America has become a strange and weird nation that some states have legalized same-sex marriage. Obama is the first American president who publicly endorsed homosexuality and supported same-sex marriage. Man shall be joined to man as husband and wife, and woman shall be joined to woman as husband and wife. Is there anything more ludicrous and ridiculous than a practice which is against nature? There is nothing so blind and confused and sinful as same-sex marriage. It is not an issue of marriage equality, it is an issue of doing against nature, the abnormal human behavior surely will destroy the nation and society. The biggest blunder is to confuse what is with what is not. A man is a man, a woman is a woman. A man is not a woman, and a woman is not a man. A man is to be a husband, and a woman is to be a wife. What is cannot and must not be confused with what is not.

2. She was the mother of all the living.

Gen 3:20 , “The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”

Note: The word “Eve” in Hebrew is Chavvah which means the first woman being the mother of all living; – it occurs only 4 times in the Bible, 2 times in the Old Testament, and 2 times in the New Testament. Every human being is born of a mother, not through evolution. In the beginning God created man and woman, male and female.

1Ti 2:13 , “For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” This Scripture might not please feminists, but that was the way it is. God created Adam first, then Eve. That was the order. A woman who wants to lead her husband or be the head of the house is not going to be happy. Anything that violates the order of God will not have good result.

Gen 4:1 , “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying: I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Although God made a woman fit for childbearing, a woman can learn from Eve. Eve acknowledged that she got pregnant and had gotten a boy with the help of the Lord.

2Cr 11:3 , “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Although the Bible does not explain why, somehow women are more easily deceived or led astray. All godly women should guard against vanity. The devil is cunning; he deceives and leads people astray. Anything that leads you astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ is from the devil.

3. She shall be a mother of nations.

Gen 17:16 , “I will bless her (Sarah), and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

Gen 17:15 , “Then God said to Abraham: As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”

Note: Abraham’s wife was called Sarai, but God changed her name into Sarah. Sarai in Hebrew is Saray which means princess, original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. Sarah in Hebrew is Sarah which means a noblewoman, a noble lady; – it occurs about 38 times in the Old Testament. In Greek it is Sarra which means princess; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Sarah was a princess, a noble lady, one of the noblest women in the Bible and in human history.

Rom 4:19 , “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.”

Note: Faith is not blind belief. Abraham considered he was about a hundred years old and his 90 years’ old wife was barren ( Gen 17:17 ); however, the promise of God is stronger than any circumstance. What God said will be accomplished.

Rom 9:9, “For this is what the promise said: About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” How could a 90-year old woman conceive? By the power of God.

Hbr 11:11, “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” Sarah received the power to conceive from God who was faithful to His promise. How Sarah was noble?

1Pe 3:6 , “As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.” Christian women are daughters of Sarah if they do right and obey their husbands. Do not be deceived by feminist movement and false teachings of men and women.

4. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.

Gen 24:53 , “The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebecca; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.”

Note: Even in ancient times, the family which wanted to take a wife gave gifts of value to the girl’s mother. In evil cultures men kill their wives so that they can remarry and get more dowries. Those who marry for material reasons are doomed to failure and unhappiness.

If you grow up to be a good man or a good woman, a good Christian, this is the most precious thing you can give to your mother.

5. Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Gen 24:67 , “Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebecca, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”

Note: The wife can comfort a man like no others. A man who takes a wife has duty to love her. Wife is the second most important woman in a man’s life. What a wife can do to a man no other woman can do. Wife can comfort a man no other woman can. If you do not love the woman, you have no right to marry her. A mother is a mother, a wife is a wife; they have different roles. Comfort in Hebrew is nacham which means to console, have compassion, show pity; – it occurs about 108 times in the Old Testament. Woman has such a power to comfort her husband that no one else and nothing can. A man needs a woman’s love just as a woman needs a man’s love. When man and woman love each other, it is Heaven on earth in spite of all troubles. When you are young, you need a mother. When you are a man, you need a wife. Blessed is the man who finds a good wife, not necessarily a beautiful wife. Remember Delilah, Jdg Chapter 16. Delilah in Hebrew is Dĕliylah which means feeble, weak, delicate, pining with desire who betrayed her husband Samson. Do not judge a woman by her good looks only.

6. His mother said to him.

Gen 27:13 , “But his mother said to him: Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get {them} for me.”

Note: How much influence a mother has on her children. How many men are ruined by listening to the wrong advice of their mothers? An indulgent mother may lead her children to do wrong. Remember Herodias who told her daughter to get the head of John the Baptist on a platter, Mar 6:14-29 . Mothers, do not let what you do bring curses to your children. Sons and daughters do not listen to your mothers who order you to do wrong. There are many mothers who do not realize when they indulge their children is not to love them but to spoil them and destroy their future. A bad mother has bitter consequences. You must obey your parents in the Lord. Chinese Christians, you cannot obey your parents to worship idols or your ancestors, or eat blood. To obey God is more important than to obey parents or any man.

7. So the girl went and called the child’s mother.

Exd 2:8 , “Pharaoh’s daughter said to her: Go ahead. So the girl went and called the child’s mother.”

Note: The life of Moses demonstrated the sovereignty of God in a wonderful way. God arranged that the daughter of Pharaoh would pay for nursing of Moses by his own mother. God is able to turn the ill will of man to serve His good will. As the delightful poem by William Cowper would say:

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

8. He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Exd 21:15 , “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”

Note: Under the Mosaic Law, striking parents is sin of death. Capital punishment was instituted by God for certain crimes or sins. Those who oppose capital punishment oppose God’s law. Those who oppose God’s law oppose God. What about those who abandon their parents when they are old and poor? I recall taking my mother to a Chinese restaurant near Disneyland. She told me she could not eat much now. So if you want to treat your parents nicely, do it while they are able. Old age has many problems.

9. He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Exd 21:17 , “He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”

Note: Under Mosaic Law, cursing of parents shall surely be put to death.

10. You are not to boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.

Exd 23:19 , “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God. You are not to boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.”

Exd 34:26 , “The first of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.”

Note: The prohibition is based on similar reason that you cannot have sex with the woman and her daughter.

Lev 20:14 , “If a man takes a wife and her mother also, it is wickedness; they shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you.” Or similarly, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Deu 22:6-7, “If you chance to come upon a bird’s nest, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; you shall let the mother go, but the young you may take to yourself; that it may go well with you, and that you may live long.” Sufficient that you take the young, let the mother go. Excess is harmful. Greed is evil.

11. You shall not uncover…the nakedness of your mother.

Lev 18:7 , “You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness.”

Note: The practice of nudist camp with family nudism is clearly against this commandment. Physically and morally you shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother. You shall not shame your mother.

12. Deborah…a mother in Israel.

Jdg 5:7 , “The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”

Note: Deborah in Hebrew is Dĕbowrah which means a bee, a wasp; – it occurs about 10 times in the Old Testament. Deborah was a prophetess; she was a mother in Israel and a wasp to the enemies because she protected the children of Israel. I remember the great Golda Meir was a mother in Israel. A woman can be a great leader, too.

13. He did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

Jdg 14:6 , “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.”

Note: Adults may not have to tell their parents what they have done. Children because lack of knowledge and judgment should tell their parents everything. Especially young girls who have been raped by their father, relative, teacher, neighbor or friend. Parents must insure their daughters are not becoming sex victims of evil adults. What children do not know may hurt them. Children were born stupid.

14. Return each of you to her mother’s house.

Rth 1:8 , “And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law: Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.”

Note: The story of Ruth is the most beautiful and blessed of a virtuous and beautiful woman who loved and was loved by her mother-in-law. There has never been such a loving and moving and harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. It is the model for a thousand generations. To have a daughter-in-law like Ruth is better than to have seven sons. To have a wife like Ruth is better than Solomon who had a thousand wives.

15. How you left your father and your mother.

Rth 2:11 , “Boaz replied to her: All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.”

Note: It is worth to leave father and mother for a young woman to be married to a worthy man. Ruth became a part of the Messianic genealogy.

16. His mother would make him a little robe.

1Sa 2:19 , “And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.”

Note: Hannah was Samuel’s good mother. Hannah did not live in vain for lending Samuel to the Lord. It is not old-fashioned, what would a mother do who cannot make her boy a little robe? Yes, she can buy from the store. However, there are many things that a mother can do for her children which cannot be purchased. The mother touch is what money cannot buy.

17. Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you.

1Sa 22:3 , “And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.”

Note: David was filial, even in his most difficult time he made provision for his father and mother. Jesus made provision for Mary even on the cross of His last moment. David would not run ahead of God, he waited until he knew what God would do for him. What you do cannot be more important than what God does.

18. Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.

1Ki 2:20 , “Then she said: I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me. And the king said to her: Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”

Note: It is wonderful if you can fulfill the request of your mother, provided she asks rightfully. You should treat your mother nicely while she is still alive. Do not refuse your mother if you are able to fulfill her request. My mother was so good that she never asked me anything. Even when I gave her money, she would think I needed money more than she did. Many Chinese parents are so wrong, they act and speak that their children owe them everything. Some parents are so stupid that they declare they gave lives to their children. How ignorant for a man and woman to have sex is to give life? Only God can give life.

19. She is his mother.

1Ki 3:27 , “Then the king said: Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.”

Note: The wisdom of Solomon determined and judged that a true mother would not kill her child. Nowadays there are parents who kill their children to make insurance claims.

20. He had taken him and brought him to his mother.

2Ki 4:20 , “When he had taken him and brought him to his mother (the Shunammite), he sat on her lap until noon, and then died.”

Note: What a moving scene to see that a boy sat and died on his mother’s lap!

21. His mother was his counselor to do wickedly.

2Ch 22:3 , “He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.”

Note: Your mother should be your counselor to do right and to do good. Ahaziah reigned in Judah, his mother Athaliah counseled him to do wickedly to his destruction. You have heard the infamous wife of a corrupt and disgraced politician who counseled her whole family, friends and relatives to do wickedly and fraudulently. A good mother counsels her children to do good and right. The evil influence of a wicked mother is inestimable. You do not have to obey your parents if they counsel you to do wickedly.

22. Naked I came from my mother’s womb.

Job 1:21 , “He said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Cf. Ecc 5:15, “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry away in his hand.”

Note: Job made a famous statement of truth: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. Sadly, so many corrupt politicians, self-serving officials, crooked business executives, corrupt doctors and hospital owners and greedy capitalists have not learned the truth. They act as if they could carry all they have swindled and defrauded to their funeral. Some even think they were born with silver spoons in their mouths! Greedy capitalists and the richest man in the world, naked you came, naked you go. Believe it or not!

23. You made me feel safe while at my mother’s breasts.

Psa 22:9, “Yet You are He who brought me out of the womb; You made me feel safe while at my mother’s breasts.”

Note: If you know something about obstetrics, you know there are many things that can go wrong: during pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery. It is a wonder that a child is born safe and sound. There is no place like a mother’s breasts for an infant.

24. As one who sorrows for a mother.

Psa 35:14 , “I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.”

Note: Although I knew in my mind that my mother was advanced in years, it would not be a surprise if she should die anytime; however when she passed away I wept and mourned and cried for my mother as I never wept or mourned before.

25. In sin my mother conceived me.

Psa 51:5 , “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”

Note: This does not mean it is sinful for husband and wife to have sex and to conceive. Every person born of a woman was born in sin. Whether it is original sin or personal sin or both, every human being is sinful. The only person who was not conceived in sin was Jesus Christ, the Son of God; for Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

26. As a joyful mother of children.

Psa 113:9 , “He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!”

Note: A man cannot know what it is to be a joyful mother of children, nor a barren woman. The joy of motherhood makes a woman complete. The sorrow of having a bad son or bad daughter is also unbearable.

Someone wrote, “Motherhood is not a job. It is a joy.” I respond to the statement by saying: “Motherhood is a holy and joyful responsibility.” Those who take motherhood lightly and do not fulfill their responsibility are guilty and doomed to be failures. Those who take motherhood as a sacred task and joyfully fulfill their responsibility are blessed. What I am going to say may offend people: most of the mothers I have known or met do not satisfactorily fulfill their responsibility. There have been few Sarah (mother of Isaac), Hannah (mother of Samuel), Mary (mother of Jesus), and Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist), etc.

Pro 23:25,“Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.” Mary said something about Jesus that is immortal,

Jhn 2:5 , “His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” The person who said that he really has a problem with Jesus not being nice to His mother is a son of devil who does not know Jesus. One of the last things that Jesus did was to commit His mother to the care of John. The best advice Mary had said, “Whatever Jesus says to you, do it.”

27. Like a weaned child resting on his mother’s breast.

Psa 131:2 , “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child resting on his mother’s breast, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

Note: There is no ideal or idyllic picture than that of a weaned child resting on his mother’s breast. It is humanity at its best and purest. America is the nation most obsessed with sex and sex organs. Women relish to wear in a way to expose their breasts. American sex culture has infected China so much as if Chinese women have just discovered their have breasts. Bras and breasts have become supreme concern of Chinese women as the media (TV and printed matter) has inundated the whole nation.

28. Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Pro 1:8 , “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

Cf. Pro 6:20 , “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”

Note: It was the teaching of Mencius’ mother that made Mencius the great philosopher and teacher. The teaching of a good mother is more precious than gold and diamonds. I am eternally grateful for the godly influence of my mother on my life.

29. A foolish son is a grief to his mother.

Pro 10:1 , “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.”

Note: All stupid sons who smoke, drink, use drugs, live recklessly, have sex with prostitutes or bad women, and live prodigally are a grief to their mothers. The world is so evil there are today mothers who are happy to sell their daughters as prostitutes and their sons as crooks and criminals so long they have money.

30. A foolish man despises his mother.

Pro 15:20 , “A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.”

Note: If you despise your mother, you must be a foolish man. Only a foolish man would despise his mother. It is a good man who loves his mother, and it is a wise man who respects his mother. Even if you are the richest and most powerful people on earth, if you despise your mother, you are certainly a foolish man. I told my students, if the president of the United States wanted to see me, I would bring my mother along. If I were with my mother, the mayor wanted to see me, I would tell him to wait.

31. He who…drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son.

Pro 19:26 , “He who assaults his father and drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son.”

Note: Mistreatment or abuse of your parents is the most shameful and disgraceful act.

32. He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will go out in time of darkness.

Pro 20:20 , “He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will go out in time of darkness.”

Cf. Pro 30:11, “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.”

Note: When a person curses his father or mother, something dark and dire is going to happen to him.

33. Do not despise your mother when she is old.

Pro 23:22 , “Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

Note: It is cruel and ungrateful to despise your mother when she is old. Sons and daughters should take special care of their mothers when they are old. Make your mother happy before she dies.

Do you know when a person gets old, she does not enjoy food that much. I took my mother to an excellent Chinese restaurant in California, but she could not enjoy that much. So take your mother to the best restaurant while she enjoys it.

34. Let your father and your mother be glad.

Pro 23:25 , “Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.”

Note: To honor your father and your mother is to make them glad. If you become somebody, your father and mother will be glad. If you achieve something great, your mother will rejoice and be proud of you. There are some mothers who are so bad because they say or do things that discourage and provoke their children. There are evil mothers who sell their daughters as prostitutes.

35. A child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Pro 29:15 , “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.”

Note: There are stupid mothers who think their job is to let their children have their own ways. They do not realize that an undisciplined child is a shame to his mother and a ruin to his future. Once I observed on a train back from Hangzhou, a five-year old girl slapped her mother in the face. Such a girl if not corrected and disciplined on time will bring shame to her mother. I have met so many bad mothers in the world who did not know how to educate their children.

36. Like mother, like daughter.

Eze 16:44 , “Behold, everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb concerning you, saying: Like mother, like daughter.”

Note: This is not only a powerful statement, it is a striking fact. A bad mother is likely to have a bad daughter. A filthy mother does not know how to rear clean and decent daughters. An ignorant mother produces uneducated and undisciplined children. An irresponsible mother lets her children get into trouble. You should not marry the daughter of a bad woman.

37. The wise men worshiped the Child.

Mat 2:11, “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Note: Mother in Greek is mētēr which means a female parent; – it occurs about 85 times in the New Testament. Usually a mother is greater than her child. Do you notice in the case of Jesus it was different? The wise men from the East fell to the ground and worshiped the Child Jesus, not Mary His mother. The wise men also presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Child Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was the Son of God. Mary knew that she was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Roman Catholics are so stupid that they worship Mary and call her the mother of God. The Roman Catholic Church teaches a false doctrine by making Mary to be the mediator between God and men. Apparently, Catholic leaders are not as wise as the wise men from the East. The Roman Catholic Church commits blasphemy by making Mary the Mother of God and calls her Holy Mother. How can God have a mother? Mary was the Mother of Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, as God became Man according to the flesh. In the beginning Jesus was the Word, and the Word with God, and the Word was God. There is Holy Father, Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit, there is no such a thing called Holy Mother.

38. Whoever does the will of My Father…he is My brother and sister and mother.

Mat 12:50 , “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in Heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Cf. Mar 3:35 , “Whoever does the will of God is My brother, and sister, and mother.”

Luk 8:21, “But he said to them: My mother and My brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it.”

Note: To the Lord Jesus Christ, those who hear and do the Word of God are as dear as His brothers and sisters and mothers. Spiritual relationship supersedes human relationship. Mind you, Jesus says whoever does the will of God is like His brother, sister, and mother. But not the Father who is One and only.

39. Prompted by her mother.

Mat 14:8 , “Having been prompted by her mother, she said: Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

Note: The daughter of Herodias was prompted by her mother to ask for the head of John the Baptist which was worth more than half a kingdom. See how an adulterous and wicked mother may lead her children to do wickedly. To have no mother is better than to have a wicked mother. Be sure you are prompted by your mother to do good and to do right. The mother who prompted her daughters to be prostitutes is worse than animal.

40. Honor your father and your mother.

Mat 15:4-6 , “For God said: Honor your father and mother, and, he who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death. But you say: Whoever says to his father or mother: Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God, he is not to honor his father or his mother. And by this you invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your tradition.”

Note: Tradition which is contrary to the Word of God is wrong tradition and should be discarded. China used to have a tradition of honoring father and mother, in a greedy capitalistic society the virtue is disappearing. Parents sue their children for the crime of neglect.

Exd 20:12 , “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.”

Note: The promise of this Scripture is obviously given to the children of Abraham.

Deu 5:16 , “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you, in the land which the Lord your God gives you.”

Mat 19:19 , “Honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mar 7:10 , “For Moses said: Honor your father and your mother; and, he who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die.”

Eph 6:2 , “Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise),”

Note: This is the Fifth Commandment with a promise. Human tradition is usually opposed to the Word of God. A Christian does not invalidate the Word of God for the sake of the tradition. For example, it is a tradition of Chinese people to worship their ancestors and eat blood. A Chinese Christian cannot follow this tradition. Idolatry or ancestor worship and eating blood offend the living God. Certainly, this Scripture includes all believers, children of Abraham, to be blessed with the promise of long life.

Chinese civilization which stresses filial piety is close to the Biblical teaching of honoring your father and your mother. Honor in Hebrew is kabad which means to make honorable, glorify, do honor to; – it occurs about 116 times in the Old Testament. This is one of the Ten Commandments which gives a promise of longevity to people who honor their fathers and mothers. However, as greed has captured the Chinese society, the traditional virtue is disappearing.

41. The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus…making a request of Him.

Mat 20:20 , “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.”

Note: There is nothing wrong for mothers to seek God’s favor for their children. How many mothers seek favors for their children for the wrong reasons? How often they do not know what they request. Find out for yourself what the mother of the sons of Zebedee made the request. Do not seek what you do not deserve.

42. His mother said…Whatever He says to you, do it.

Jhn 2:5 , “His mother said to the servants: Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Note: Mary did not write any book of the New Testament, but her advice to the servants is immortal. We must do whatever the Lord says. Whatever the Lord says to you, do it.

43. Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother…

Jhn 19:25 , “Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Note: There are three immortal Mary (s): Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. It is a good thing if your mother would stand by you even if the whole world misunderstood you. It is not easy to have someone stand by you when you are in trouble. This does not mean a mother should support her son’s crime or sin. It is a shame and disgrace when you often hear mothers say in America: My boy or my girl is not a bad person…, when they in fact committed murder or outrageous crime.

44. Behold, your mother.

Jhn 19:26-27, “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother: Woman, behold, your son! Then He said to the disciple: Behold, your mother! From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”

Note: At the last hour, Jesus Christ did not forget to provide care for His mother. A woman can be as dear as your own mother. If you have a chance, Behold your mother! Children of men, have you lately really paid attention to your mother? Behold your mother! Take a good look of your mother. See that what she needs.

45. Along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.

Act 1:14, “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Note: Those who pray together must do so with one mind. After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, this is the last time the Bible mentions Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary was the mother of Jesus because Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit to give birth to Jesus. Mary is not the mother of God for God cannot have a mother. Interestingly, the half brothers of Jesus now had all become His believers and disciples.

46. Who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb.

Gal 1:15 , “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased.”

Note: Paul was set apart by God even from his mother’s womb and called him to be an apostle. There are people so special that God set them apart even from their mothers’ womb. Outside the Bible, I believe Martin Luther was one; John Bunyan was another, etc. I have not met or heard of any person in my life whom I believe God had set him/her apart even from his/her mother’s womb even though I knew a great number of preachers personally. I have met many unworthy ones.

47. As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

1Th 2:7, “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

Note: Gentle in Greek is ēpios which means mild, affable; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. To tenderly care in Greek is thalpō which means to cherish with tender love; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. A mother is supposed to give tender loving care (TLC) to her children. A babysitter who shook a crying baby violently that the baby died had committed a murder. A mother who does not give tender loving care to her children is unworthy to be a mother. Parents who do not love children have no right to become parents. Tender loving care is only mother can give to her children.

To be a good mother is more difficult than to be a successful chairman of the board, and may be worth more than the president of a corporation. A good mother must teach and train her child many things not just feeding, clothing and housing her child. Among the most important things are morality, virtue, obedience, respect for the elderly, responsibility, honesty, gratitude, cleanliness, good habits, etc. Teach your child to say: please, thank you, etc. Good habits include flushing the toilet, not to litter or spit, not to say bad and dirty word, etc. A mother has great impact on the life of her child more than she realizes. As a real illustration, a woman divorced her husband because of his infidelity. She told everybody how bad her husband was. Her 6-year-old son was so vexed and troubled by hearing bad things about his father so many times that he wanted to kill himself!

48. Which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.

2Ti 1:5 , “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

Note: Eunice was the mother of Timothy. Eunice in Greek is eunikē which means good victory; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. A mother who has a son dedicated to the service of the Lord Jesus surely has a good victory. A mother who has a son committed a major crime is surely a failure. It bothers me when mother and grandmother defended her children or grandchildren who committed vicious crimes. Lois in Greek is Lōïs which means agreeable; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. A Christian matron is an agreeable person. It appears the sincere faith of godly mother and grandmother can have godly influence on her children and grandchildren, it is almost hereditary. A godly legacy is better than riches. A spiritual heritage is better than a great real estate.

A good mother is worth more than a billion dollars. Dollar has devalued over the years, but the value of a good mother is forever. If you are a billionaire but you do not have a good mother, you do not know how poor you are.

IN CONCLUSION

In the wisdom and lovingkindness of God the Almighty who predestined and prepared a godly mother for me and for which I am eternally grateful.

This article is dedicated to the memory of my good mother who is with the Lord; she has been the greatest blessing to me.
I rise up to call her blessed.

Pro 31:28-29, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

I thank God for my mother, the most precious person to me. This article was written in memory of my mother. If your mother is still alive, treat her with the greatest respect and affection.

Jesus Christ at His last hour made preparation for His human mother.

Would you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, not only you will receive eternal life, you would be a good man and woman to take care of your mother and father.