The second Sunday in May is the day set aside for the country to celebrate Mother’s Day.  However, for Christians, we are to honor both father and mother always.

This is God’s commandment!

In giving the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, we see in verse 12,
“Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” 
(Note: The verses 1-11 are commandments relating to God.  Verses 12-17 are commandments relating to man.  Honoring father and mother is the first of these.)

Remember in Romans 15:4 to what Paul calls our attention:
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

With this in mind see what Scripture has to say to us concerning honoring father and mother:

Moses speaking to the Israelites of God’s covenant in Deuteronomy 5:1-21,
verse 16 says,
“Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God  has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

Jesus speaking to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:1-9,
“For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and mother’; and He who curses, father and mother, let him be put to death.”  Vs. 4
(Read the whole interchange for the whole scene.)

Jesus speaking to the rich young ruler, Matthew 19:16-26, said in Vs. 19,
“‘Honor your father and mother’…”  (Though he did that, read the whole scenario to see why he walked away from Jesus.)

Mark and Luke both include the scene with the rich young ruler:
Mark 10:17-27
Luke 18:18-27
In Mark 7:1-20 Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees concerning defilement.  They accused the disciples of eating bread with unwashed hands.  Jesus spoke of them of laying aside the commandment of God for their own traditions.  Jesus says in verse 10-13
“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother’…But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban (that is, dedicated to the temple.)’ and you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother, making the word of God of no effect…”

Paul in Ephesians 6:1-3 gives a word to the children,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise:
‘that it may go well with you and you may live long on the earth.’”

Proverbs 1:8-9,
“Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”  

Mom and dad, the behavior we exhibit goes far in our rearing of our children.  Therefore, let us do those good works that God has called us to do in Christ Jesus and let us do them in the power of the Holy Spirit. In doing so our Father in heaven is glorified.

  All praise. honor and glory to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  Amen