Mothers
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. (Romans 16:13 NIV)
Is Mother’s Day just for women who have given birth? I don’t think so. Many a mother has never felt the pains of labor. There are some who are barren. There are others who adopt. There are many women who care for other children in their daily lives and vocations. These mothers are worthy of honor on this day also.
Take, for example, a Christian mother like Rufus’ mom. Rufus’ mom took the apostle Paul under her wing as if he was her own flesh and blood. And Paul didn’t forget that loving concern. Can you imagine how touching it must have been for Rufus’ mother when she heard this letter read to the congregation at Rome? Here at the end Paul is greeting different people in the congregation, and then he mentions her in this tender way, “Greet Rufus… and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.”
Paul once instructed pastor Timothy, “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV) Here we are reminded of the intimate unity that God desires His followers to have. The older women of your church are like mothers to us all.
Jesus has brought us into a relationship with God the Father by taking our sins away. By faith in Jesus we are God’s own children. And in God’s family, we have many mothers. By their loving service to their fellow Christians, these mothers bring honor to God’s Name.
Let’s do what Timothy was instructed. Let’s treat the older women among us as our mothers in Christ. Let’s love them, care for them and show the world our faith by our love. Jesus told His disciples, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34 NIV).
Thank you heavenly Father for providing many ways that the women of Your church care for Your family. Amen.