On Mother’s Day Pastor Marc delivered a message on honoring our parents. You can watch the message here.
Below is an overview of his main ideas:
Western Society is weird. We honor youth and beauty, but not age and wisdom. African, Middle-Eastern and Asian cultures value and honor age and wisdom. The elderly are not just respected, they’re honored. The church should be full of honor for parents and grandparents.
Before we begin I love this statement from a christian blogger relating to honor:
The word “honor” does not mean that we tolerate abuse and obey our parents like mindless robots. It does not mean we have to love parents who chose to abandon, reject, or harm us. The original Hebrew word kābēd used for the word for honor has many meanings according to the New Interpreter’s Bible, including to "be heavy.” This definition can be interpreted as “giving weight to” or seriously considering a relationship. It does not suggest being subordinate or obedient to parents who harm us.
Honoring our parents is a bliblcal command.
Exodus 20:12 commands it. Deuteronomy 5:16 Reiterates it. In Ephesians 6:1-4 Paul reminds us it’s a command with a promise “that your life may be long.”
Another reason God expects us to honor parents is because God identifies as a parent to the orphan, caretaker for the widow and provider for the refugee in passages like Deuteronomy 10:18, Psalm 68:5 and Psalm 146:9.
God also gives us specific instruction how to honor our parents. In Proverbs 23:22-25 we see that we are to listen (even if we don’t agree), spend time with them and be diligent to observe the teaching and truth they offered. Allow them to rejoice. Enjoy when they take pride in your accomplishments (however small your accomplishments may seem to you).
Then Jesus Himself illustrates perfect honor when He cares for Mary at His death. In John 19:25-30 we find Jesus speaking on the cross. He made 7 famous statements as He died. When HE spoke He fulfilled prophecy, offered mercy to His persecutors and cried out to God. But in the middle He tells John to care for His mother Mary. She’s likely a widow by now (Joseph was older than Mary). John is a wealthy follower of Jesus and a close friend. Jesus is paying for the sins of the world, but He’s not too busy to make sure His mom is cared for. From that day on John took Mary home and cared for her as his own mother.
In 1 Timothy 5:1-8 Paul instructs the church that caring for aging parents is a familial responsibility. He says anyone who won’t provide for their family is worse than an unbeliever. His instructions concerning widows make clear the church will step up, but only if there’s no family to provide care and relief.
Practically speaking:
We honor people with our words
We honor people with our actions
We honor people with our time
Spiritually speaking:
We honor our parents by praying for them
We honor our parents by providing for them
We honor our parents by facing and dealing with pain they cause (don’t ignore it and repeat it).
We honor our parents by forgiving them.