Fixing Their Eyes On Jesus
By Pastor Greg
Luke 7:36-50 May
13, 2012 – Mother’s Day Bunkertown
COB
Raising
Children is not easy. Any parent would
make that confession. And what is
becoming obvious for most of us is that it’s far more difficult today than it
was in the 70’s and the 80’s. In a
recent Barna Foundation survey 70% of the public says that it is more difficult
to be a mother today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Between the influences of society (drugs and
alcohol, peer pressure, and the impact of television), the difficulty teaching
morals, trying to balance time and everything else working against mothers,
it’s no wonder mothers are finding it increasingly difficult to raise a child
in this world.
Things have changed. The pressures facing today’s mother is
nothing like what mothers faced years ago.
Dr. Spock had no idea what today’s mothers would be facing when he wrote
his book back in 1946. Back in 46 a
mother wasn’t fighting alone. Back in
1946 she had the school on her side, society on her side, and even the
government on her side. But today, if a
mother, especially a Christian mother, is trying to raise her child with a
sense of morals and decency, she usually is on her own. Society, in general, is offering no help at
all. If anything, society seems to be
working against mothers; trying to undo all that she has done. Sometimes teaching her children the exact
opposite of what she had been teaching at home.
Now, these are not my opinions. These are the results of the recent Barna
Foundation research. And in that
research 56% of Americans felt that mothers are doing a worse job today than
mothers from 20 or 30 years ago. Now,
you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Thanks so much for sharing that pastor
Greg. While you’re at it, why don’t you
give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it”. But believe me; I know these statistics are
depressing. They can leave a mother
feeling worthless and hopeless. But
hopeless and depressed is not where I want to leave you this morning.
Have you ever heard the story of the
sinful woman who crashed a dinner party?
It seems that a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus over for a big fancy
party. The place was packed. But this woman, who was a sinner, walks in
and starts worshipping and anointing Jesus.
It’s a great story about grace, love and forgiveness (Read Luke 7:36-50).
Simon’s assessment of this woman was
accurate. She was a sinner. Jesus never refutes that. But He does point out that her sins had been
forgiven (verse 48). And I believe this
woman knew this, which is why she stood at His feet weeping and anointing and
worshiping Jesus. She knew that apart
from Jesus, she was still a sinner, and judged as a failure by society. But with Christ she had become someone
new. With Christ, the old had passed
away. With Christ she was able to
overcome the world. I believe the same
things can happen to a mother. I believe
that regardless of what society might say or what problems a mother might face,
with Christ she becomes someone new. I
believe that a mother has a better chance with Christ than without. I am convinced of this; for no child would be
able to miss the stark contrast between a mother whose love reflects Christ and
a society who reflects hopelessness, sinfulness, and pain.
With Christ in her life, a mother
can have a godly influence on her children’s lives. With Christ a mother can help her children
see beyond this world. With Christ in
her life, a mother can help her children fix their eyes on Jesus and set their
minds on the things of God. If a mother
want’s her children to overcome the influences of this world, then she must
first “Set (her)
mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” [1]
(Colossians 3:2). When a mother allows
the life of Christ to fill her, her children will feel the gentle and loving Spirit
of God in her embrace; in her tender kiss upon a bruised knee, or her soft
words spoken to a broken heart. A
mother, who is first filled with Christ, becomes a beacon of light that guides
a child toward God, especially while living in a dark and sinful world.
Is it more difficult to raise a
child today than it was 20 or 30 years ago?
I think we would all agree that it is.
But in spite of this, I see an opportunity for a mother, who admits she
needs Jesus, to really stand out in today’s society. Godliness is much easier to see among
sinfulness. The light shines brightest
in the darkness.
Without Christ, a mother, at best,
will raise a good child. But in today’s
society good does not equal godly. Good
is merely better than bad. And good can
still be bad, especially when things are really, really bad. To raise a godly child whose faith overcomes
the world, a mother must first realize that she needs Jesus. As John the Apostle reminds us, “For whatever is born
of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the
world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God?” [2] (1
John 5:4-5). Mother’s, you overcome the
influences of this world when you express faith in Jesus Christ. And you help your children to overcome this
world when you help them fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of
their faith.
Before I finish, there is one other
statistic in the research that I found alarming; one last thing I’d like to
address today. According to a national
survey by the Pew Research Center, 66%
of middle aged women (age 50-64) say that today’s mothers are doing a worse job
at raising children. And more than
two-thirds of white evangelical Christians (68%) say moms are doing a worse job
today when compared with mothers 20 or 30 years ago. Now
I’m not saying you are one of those critical middle aged women who complain
about young mothers. But the research
alarms me. And it just seems to me that
instead of sitting back and criticizing young mothers, perhaps a seasoned
mother or grandmother could get involved in the lives of younger mothers. Be an example and an encouragement. In Titus chapter two, Paul says, “teach the older
women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be
heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These
older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their
children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,
to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring
shame on the word of God.” [3]
(Titus 2:3-5).
Mothers, I want to encourage you to
not just raise good children, but raise godly children. And in order to do this you’re going to need
Jesus. There’s nothing wrong in
admitting that. Fix your eyes on Jesus
first, and then you’ll be better equipped to help your children see Jesus. And for the rest of us in this place, get
involved and help. Don’t simply
criticize; offer kind advice, godly counsel, and above all fix your eyes on
Jesus. This is the most important things
young parents and young children today need from you; to look at you and see
Jesus reflected in your words and in your deeds.
[1] New American
Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Col 3:2). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman
Foundation.
[2] New American
Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Jn 5:4–5). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman
Foundation.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation.
(3rd ed.) (Tt 2:3–5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
