Eph.6:[2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Sunday heralds the day when we commemorate our mothers. God has always expected His children to respect their parents and made promise to those who do. I would like to look at Mary, the mother of Jesus and call some attention to the things she was able to instill in her children from her heart. Though there is no special grace to Mary, as she like all of us was in the need of a Savior, she still found favor with God and was a chosen vessel to be used of God for a special purpose. The purpose of bringing Jesus into the world and raising Him.

Luke.1:[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
[28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
[29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Mary though engaged had not had a sexual relationship. She was able to teach to her children about the proper conduct between boys and girls.

[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary was able to teach her children nothing is impossible with God.
Mary was able to teach her children God is a God of His Word.
Mary was able to teach her children to accept the will of God for their life.

[39] And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
[40] And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
[41] And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
[42] And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
[43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
[44] For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
[45] And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary was able to teach her children to believe the Word of God and to accept the will of God in their life.

[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

She was able to teach her children to magnify the Lord with their mind.

[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

She was able to teach her children to rejoice in the Lord with their heart and not just their mouth.
She was able to teach her children God is our Savior and she needed a Savior.

[48] For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

She was able to teach her children to have a personal relationship with God.
She was able to teach her children she received blessing from God and she was not the giver of blessing.

[49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

She was able to teach her children God is the source of great things.
She was able to teach her children God is Holy.

[50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

She was able to teach her children God is merciful to those who fear Him throughout all ages.

[51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

She was able to teach her children God is the source of strength and destroyer of the proud.

[52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

She was able to teach her children God is the source of putting down and lifting up.

[53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

She was able to teach her children God is the source of real satisfaction and reward and money is not a means of favor with God.

[54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

She was able to teach her children God is on the side of His children and doesn’t forget them.

[55] As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

She was able to teach her children the acceptance and validity of the Word of God and His promises in the Old Testament.

She followed Jesus all the way to the cross ( Jn 19:25-27) and was still with the Apostles after the Resurrection. (Acts 1:13-14)
She held true to the purpose of God with her life and accepted the atonement of the shed blood of Jesus and remained faithful throughout her life to God.
My prayer today is for all mothers to follow her example in the raising up of their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.