Mark 14: 3-9

Our text presents a beautiful story in the life of  Christ,
but it seems to be a peculiar text to use on Mother's Day.

However, after we have seen the meaning behind Jesus' words
and have analyzed the disciples’ attitude,
we will be able to understand the relationship of our text
to the problems and potentials of modern motherhood.

We are concerned here  with verse 4.
The disciples ask, "Why was this waste of the ointment made?"

They were referring to the alabaster boxful of ointment
which the woman had poured on Jesus' head.
Not realizing the significance of her  action,
the devotion of her love or the attitude of Jesus,
the disciples seemed to be genuinely concerned about wastefulness.

The development of the  story begins to give us a new insight
into the whole concept of  wastefulness.

One easily understood definition of waste would be
that of  "giving more than is necessary."

If someone is receiving more than he is  considered to be worth, that is a waste of money.
If someone is receiving less than he is considered to be worth,
that is a waste of time and talent.

The disciples were emphasizing, "use," and "doing."
They completely neglected the question of whether or not the Lord was  satisfied.
They were interested only in activity and were not especially  concerned
with what the activity itself might reflect.

Sometimes, we are concerned only with activity
and not with the Lord whom we are supposed to  serve.
If we are not careful, we may become so busy that Christ will find it necessary
to suspend our service for a time to help us discover
whether it is activity or Himself that holds us.

In divine service, the principle of  waste is the principle of power.
It seems as though we are giving too much  and getting nothing,
and that is exactly the secret of pleasing God.
Jesus  was trying to help us see that people should come to Him
and waste themselves on Him.

Now, let us apply the disciple's attitude to that of our  materialistic attitudes of today,
and see how they relate to motherhood.

Today's mothers are educated, active, wide awake women,
who dress in the latest fashion, have stylish hairdos,
and hold positions of responsibilities and trust
in many different businesses and professions.

Why should educated, talented, beautiful, capable, and ambitious women
be tied down by motherhood and the monotony of homemaking?
Why should yesterday's school queen become today's household  slave?
Why should she give up some of the great crusades of life,
and settle for the tedious task of seeing that baby gets his bottle?

The thing that seems to be waste becomes the most productive task
a woman ever does when she begins to see it as something other than
a person to keep her from achieving.

Not speaking idealistically or romantically,
but very realistically, what is mother in the home?

Women who want to become involved in the medical profession
need look no further than the children which God has given them.

They have done so much more than the physician who saves lives;
they have created life.
They have sustained life by food, shelter, and love.

Many times, mother has literally snatched her children  from the jaws of death
by quick thinking and instinctive action.
Not only physically, but psychologically,
mother is the world's greatest physician.

Problems are solved, advice is given, hurts are healed,
doubts are replaced with assurance, courage is inspired,
and confidence is instilled.

That is something special.
Mothers are something  special.

Mother fills a spiritual and emotional life
even as she nurtured a physical life for her child.

The world's largest children's hospital is spread throughout the homes of the world,
and the busiest and most successful  positions are the mothers within those homes.

Is this a  waste?

Mother is the world's most successful teacher.

Think of all the things a child learns in his preschool years.
Practically, all of his motor reflexes are trained by his mother.
He does not go to public school to learn how to react;
he goes their to react as he has already learned at home.

Then, throughout his entire life, he continues to rely upon his home education.

The years of experience never really erase from his mind
the  things that he has learned from mother.

The mother who aspires for a great place in the teaching profession,
should know that God has given her the choice years
in which to teach and train her children.
God has entrusted her with the holy responsibility
of leading a tender young mind in the ways of the Lord.

Is this a waste?

Mother is the world's most important business  executive.

It may not seem to be so in the total number of dollars and projects handled,
but the world's economy depends upon the economy of the  individual home.
As mothers handle their money and teach their children to handle money,
so will the money of the world be handled.

Also, the thrill of big business finance can be realized in family budgeting and planning,
if mother does not lose her sense of perspective and romance.
Efficiency experts are desperately needed in homes today.

Is this a  waste?

Mother exerts the world's most powerful influence.

Many women have a natural drive for greatness,
and could be successful in almost any area of life,
including politics, government, or business.
They like to create and control things.
There is nothing at all wrong with this  personality trait,
as long as it does not become abused or misused.

I n the  home, mother discovers herself to literally be a "king-maker."

It is an incredible complement from God t
that mothers are entrusted with the powerful influence
that they wield over the minds of their children.

For it is  from the home, that young people go to college,
and from that home that men go to factories and offices.
Every child and every man enters today's work in the mood he received at home.

Mothers are the true secretaries of state who  write the treaties of men
in the hearts of their children.

Is this a  waste?

Mothers are the world's best example of religion.

How  marvelous to find some women committed completely to the work of the church,
but  how tragic to see mothers who do not understand
that the first place for the application of their religion is at home.

The home was created by God  before the church.
The home is a seedbed of gospel influence.

The  devil is not concerned about full churches if homes are empty of Christ.

Someone has said, "An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy."

The best language of religion emerges from the language of the  home.
The New Testament description of a Christian faith involved words,
such as love, father, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the family of  God.

How refreshing to hear of a mother who had the right perspective of her religion
and her home responsibilities.
Over her kitchen sink hangs the  little sign:
"Divine services held here three times a day."

At the close of one of his evangelistic campaigns,
D. L. Moody was approached by an  enthusiastic woman
who insisted that God had called her to the preaching of the  gospel.

D. L. Moody replied that he thought that it was wonderful
that she was able to discern God's will.
Then, he asked her about her family and  home.

She replied that she had a husband and eleven children.

Moody exclaimed, "Then, thank the dear Lord, Madam,
for He has not only called you to preach,
but He has already given you a congregation."

Our devoted mothers need not fear that their lives are  wasted
when spent for home and for God.

Perhaps, the greatest service that God has ever given any soul
is that which he has entrusted to our  mothers.

Are we appreciative of what our mothers have given up in the world
in order to make a home for us?
And if, she works out of necessity, and  still has all the responsibilities of the home,
how much more we should appreciate her?

Mothers, are you willing to be wasted on your family
for  the sake of God and your children.

"He that findeth his life shall lose  it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10: 39)

Sermon by Dr. Harold L. White
Email Dr. White at hleewhite@aol.com