Love Like A Mother - December 12

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us..

Reflect

Think of a Christian leader who had a strong influence on your faith. Were they more of a “bulldog” personality or gentle leader?

You’ve probably heard the cliche: “There’s nothing like a mother’s love.” And if you’re a mother, you know the depths of love implied by that statement. In today’s verses, Paul used a simile that some people might consider to be an odd reference to use as a defense of their ministry. He said that he, Silas, and Timothy had been “like a nursing mother” towards the Thessalonian church. Why did he make that comparison? Because they had been gentle among the Thessalonian believers.

Now, when most of us think of valuable leadership qualities, gentleness probably isn’t the first trait that comes to mind. We tend to think that all good leaders are strong, confident, decisive, and firm. People with an iron will like Sir Winston Churchill, the “British bulldog,” for example.

But, that’s not how Paul described their leadership. He chose to use the image of a mother with her baby instead. He said that they were fond of the Thessalonians. They genuinely cared about them and wanted them to know the soul-saving power of the Gospel. But the Gospel isn’t the only thing they shared with them. Paul wrote that they shared their very selves.

Mothers nurture and care for their children as they grow and develop. They love their children more than they love themselves and they selflessly do whatever it takes to protect them. Their child’s well-being is their ultimate goal—even more important to them than their own well-being. They give their very selves to their children.

Likewise, Paul, Silas, and Timothy selflessly served the Thessalonians. They didn’t deal harshly with them and they didn’t exploit or abuse them the way many false teachers and religious phonies did at that time (and still do). He said that the believers in Thessalonica were “dear” to them. They loved them so they gently and tenderly cared about them and their spiritual health. They did everything they could to nurture their growth in the Christian faith and to protect them from spiritual threats.

In his commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, John MacArthur wrote: “As mothers are absolutely and indisputably essential to the well-being of children, so spiritual leaders who minister with a mother’s gentleness, intimate affection, sacrificial love, and unselfish labor are essential for the health of the church.”

You see, when we imitate Paul and his co-workers in gentle ministry, we are really imitating someone else—God. The prophet Isaiah 40:11 wrote that God “will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Also, in Matthew 11:29, Jesus said this about Himself: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Our God is strong, powerful, and protective. But He is also loving and gentle, even to the littlest and the least of these (Matthew 19:13-15). As we minister to those around us, let’s imitate God and the apostles, leading with love, gentleness, and humility. Let’s love God’s children like a mother.

Respond

Lord, make me like You. I want to be able to love and lead those You have placed under my care with gentleness and tenderness. Make me nurturing and compassionate but still strong enough to defend the truth and protect the vulnerable. Help me love like a mother. Amen..

Reveal

What can a mother’s love teach us about relationships in the church? In this Daily Forward Devotion, we’ll see there’s a lot to learn!