From a Mother’s Heart

“He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him…” John 6:71

An unusual post, perhaps, on this evening before we celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour…but one that has been on my heart for a while.

The middle phrase of the above verse is what caught my attention recently – more specifically, “the son of Simon”. Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed our precious Saviour with a kiss, had parents. I know, I know…that’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? But sometimes, I’m afraid, we have a tendency to skip over the obvious.

From a mother’s heart, my simple thought for this evening – remember the parents.

When we see or are made aware of boys and girls or men and women turning their backs on the Lord, living in rebellion, forsaking the God of their youth, etc…remember – they have parents. Judas Iscariot is probably not a name we would give our newborn son, but he had a mother that, no doubt, loved him. I don’t know the details of the parents of Judas Iscariot, but, as news of the betrayal came, I can imagine a mother weeping for her son. Although this may not have been the case, I do personally know mommas who have cried bitter tears for their children. I have had the privilege of joining with them in prayer for their sons and daughters to be saved or restored from their backslidden condition – whatever the case may be.

Tomorrow, while we take time to rejoice in a living Saviour, many parents will do so with a smile on their faces but heaviness in their hearts. They will sing “Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow” with genuine understanding as their thoughts go to a wayward son. They will sing, “At the Cross, At the Cross, Where I First Saw the Light” while praying once again for their daughter to see the light.

I would say that most if not all who read this know of wayward children. If you are not already doing so, pray for them. Pray for them like you would want others to pray for your children. But, while praying for them, remember the parents and pray for them as well – for strength to press on.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2