Articles
Honor Your Mother
Honor Your Mother
Mike Willis
The fourth of the Ten Commandments reads, “Honor your . . . mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exod. 20:12). I intentionally omitted “your father” in order to focus on the mother. As we pause this Sunday to observe Mother’s Day, it is appropriate for one to express one’s appreciation to the woman who gave birth to and reared that individual.
Speaking about showing honor to political leaders, Paul wrote, “Pay to all what is owed to them: . . . respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Rom. 13:7). I owe my mother more honor than I do any of the politicians, so it is appropriate that we do as the wise man described: “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’” (Prov. 31:28-29).
If your biological parents brought you up to adulthood, you are most fortunate and should honor your mother for her contributions to the success you have experienced in life. You have numerous advantages over those who came from broken homes. Some single mothers have shouldered both the role of provider and mother in the family, doing double duty. Such women are worthy of double honor.
The Old Testament Law was particularly harsh on those who dishonored their mother and father: “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death. . . .Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death” (Exod. 21:15, 17; cf. Lev. 20:9; Prov. 20:20). How sad it is to witness a public scene in which an angry child curses or speaks disrespectfully to his parents.
I hope your weekend will include some time with your mother, if she is still living. A phone call, a Zoom meeting, going to her house to eat, giving her flowers, and other such acts of kindness will make her day. Jesus’s commandments include the Mosaical Law’s command to “honor your . . . mother” (Matt. 15:4; 19:19; Eph. 6:2). The Decatur Township Church of Christ has special lessons prepared to discuss the role of women as mothers and wives. We invite you will join us for these lessons.
