Weekly Sermons

Bad Mom Good Mom - Matthew 14:1-12

Welcome to Real Housewives of the Roman Empire. I changed the names a little, but that’s the background for today’s Bible passage in which we will sadly read of the death of John the Baptist.

Matthew 14:1-12

As Matthew 1-13 relate to John the Baptist, he was like a booster that helps launch a rocket into space. Once the rocket gets up, the booster has done its job and falls back to earth. One stage is over and another begins.

Bad moms are offended by preaching that calls them to repentance.

Herodias was offended by the preacher because he called out her sin. I sure wish she had done what I have seen many guilty sinners do over the years -Repent of their sin, receive God’s forgiveness, and rebuild their lives around God’s truth, as David and Bathsheba did in their generation.

Bad moms fail to protect their children and instead influence them to sin.

Now before looking at the good mom, let me state clearly that we are all sinners who need to turn to Christ for salvation and forgiveness. All sin deserves judgment, and God can forgive any sin except refusing to repent and turn to him. So repent, receive forgiveness, and rebuild by faith.

Good moms seek Jesus and pray for their children.

Canaanites were the peoples Israel had been commanded to dispossess when they entered the Promised Land. But even though they were enemies of Israel, God still worked among them. Rahab was a Canaanite woman, so Jesus the Jew had a smidge of Canaanite blood in Him.

I believe Jesus was testing this woman to see how she will respond. Will she be offended like Herodias, or will her faith overcome offense and discouragement.

Good moms worship Jesus and model for their children perseverance.

I want to guarantee you that if you humble yourself before Jesus and pray, “Lord, help me” Jesus will hear that prayer and do what’s best for you.

She is acknowledging that Jesus is her Lord and Master, and she is staying where Jesus is, even if all she gets is crumbs. Better to eats crumbs on the way to Heaven’s throne than have a feast in Herod’s hell-bound palace.