In this account of Scripture we have two mothers and one child, with both women claiming to be the mother. How could King Solomon decide who the true mother was? This Biblical passage shows the wisdom of King Solomon in his ability to discern the true mother of the infant. But I want to bring out another truth, perhaps an even greater one, one which King Solomon wholly depended upon to guide his decision on the matter. This is the great and unfailing love that a mother has for her child. So confident was he of this that he put it to an extreme test, putting his reputation and even the child’s life on the line. Of course he was not disappointed, and as a result of the mother’s decision he was able to state boldly, “She is the mother thereof.” All who were present wholeheartedly agreed, and it became obvious who the real mother was. The Bible says, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). A mother is known for her fruit of a deep, enduring, and selfless love for her children.

Of all human expressions, the love of a mother for her child seems to transcend all others. Except for the tragedy of mothers who lack “natural affection” and abort their babies, a child’s welfare is a mother’s foremost concern, and the needs of others, and her own needs, come a far second. From a child’s first beginning, mothers have great hopes and dreams for them and will provide all the nurture and will muster all their strength in the hope that these may be attained

These thoughts go through her mind every time she is with her child, when he is fed, bathed, and changed. Love is put into all her actions. These are not menial chores for her but opportunities to hope and dream good things for her child. From the food that she feeds her child, to the clothes that he wears, to who is with her child, all must pass “mother’s test” of goodness. She is very observant about everything that relates to her child and notes carefully when her child first sits, rolls over, stands, and begins to walk. These are important milestones that she will remember the rest of her life. Particularly memorable to her are her child’s first words, especially the word, “Mama.”

When she takes her child to the doctor for routine health checkups, she watches carefully as her child is measured and weighed to confirm her child’s good growth and wishes that every immunization he receives does its work to protect her child from the ravages of infectious diseases. When her child exhibits bad behavior or does something that would endanger himself, she disciplines him firmly yet lovingly, trusting that this will mold his character and preserve him from future ruin and harm.

As her child grows up and becomes an adolescent, then a young adult, she is slow to let him go and frequently forgets that he is no longer a child, continuing to worry over him, wondering whether he is eating enough, getting enough sleep, and in good health.

The love which she has invested in her child has not been in vain. Having been well loved, he becomes well developed and has become a mature young person, all the while never forgetting the love of his mother which allowed him to thrive. He has counted on her love throughout these years and knows that he can always depend upon his mother no matter what happens. She has loved and worried about him for many years, and now it is his great hope that he has pleased her and made her proud.

Yet, as great as a mother’s love for a child is, this cannot compare to God’s love. The Bible says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). God’s ways, God’s thoughts, and God’s love are higher, deeper, and purer than even that of a mother’s love for her child. In fact, the Bible puts the love of mothers and the love of God in direct comparison, and the love of mothers comes up short.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

God’s love is greater than a mother’s love, first of all, because her love for her child was given by God Himself. The Bible says that “God is love,” and “Love is of God” (I John 4:7, 8). God has given mothers the ability to love the way they do. Further, the type of love that a mother gives is inferior to the type of love that God has. The love that a mother has is called in the Greek phileo which speaks of “tender affection” (W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1977 Edition, volume III, page 21). There is a filial bond formed between mother and child that is very personal and exclusive. It is a love for one’s own.

The love that God possesses is in the Greek agape which relates to “an exercise of will in deliberate choice made without assignable cause” (ibid., volume III, page 21). This is a higher form of love because it is love directed to someone not related to oneself, love not due to sentiment, attractiveness, or the degree to which one is “lovable.” Unlike God, who is holy and perfect, we are sinful, and there is nothing about us or in us that is worthy, or that God finds attractive. Left to ourselves, we would remain without God and without hope in this world, and then comes the Judgment. Indeed though our sinful hearts are abhorrent to Him, creating a separation between us and Him, and though our hearts are at enmity with Him, He still loves us.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

God’s love was manifest chiefly by God giving us His only begotten Son Jesus, who He says is “[my chosen], in whom my soul delighteth” (Isaiah 42:1). Yet because of His agape love for us He punished Jesus for our sins, allowed Him to shed His Blood for us, to suffer and die on the Cross for us, that we might receive the forgiveness of our sins and be reconciled to Him. There was no reason at all that God should love us. We cannot do and have not done anything to please him or to earn his favor. Yet God chose to love us and to offer us Christ that we might escape the Judgment.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

I stand before you tonight as man loved by his mother and a man loved by God. To have the love of my mother is a great and wonderful blessing. Even so, it is limited and will end one day. But to be loved by God through His Son is the joy and satisfaction of my soul, and is eternal. To have the love of one’s mother ranks among the most precious of all earthly joys. To have the love of God in this life and in the life to come is ultimate fulfillment, contentment, and Heavenly bliss.

A man who is a Christian will love his mother more, much more, than he was ever able to do before He came to Christ. God gave him the capacity for greater love. And in the abundance of his newfound love, he loves God and Jesus His Son above all else, even his own mother

If you are not Christians, your heart is not right, you have sins on your record, and you are guilty before a holy God. You have tasted the love of your mother, and it is good. Come to Christ and taste of His goodness. He loves you and died for you that your sins might be forgiven and that you might live through Him. Come to Him so that your sins can be washed clean by His Blood.

Mothers, you have loved us, and you have provided for us throughout all our days, and for this we love you dearly. But you too have a need that only God can provide through His Son. The Bible says,

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Mothers know a great deal about love and supplying needs. You have loved us and have supplied all of our needs and have never failed us. But unsaved mothers have a need, a great need that is yet unmet. Your need is the Lord Jesus Christ. You have only wanted the best for us. We want the best for you. Come to Jesus and He will receive you. He will wash away your sins with His own Blood. You will be adopted in the beloved, experience richly the love of God in Christ, and will live forever with us in Heaven for all time and eternity.

(END OF SERMON)
You can read Dr. Hymers' sermons each week on the Internet
at www.realconversion.com. Click on “Sermon Manuscripts.”

Scripture Read Before the Sermon by Dr. C. L. Cagan: I Kings 3:16-27.
Solo Sung Before the Sermon by Mr. Benjamin Kincaid Griffith:
“I’d Rather Have Jesus” (words by Rhea F. Miller, 1922;
music composed by George Beverly Shea, 1909-).