Learning to honor our parents is so important that God made it a part of the Ten Commandments. If one cannot honor earthly parents who he can see, how can he honor heavenly parents that he can’t see? We well know how Jesus honored His father throughout His life, but what of the Savior’s relationship with His mother? How did He treat her? Here’s the story:

At the age of twelve, Jesus traveled with His family from Nazareth to Jerusalem for one of the biggest celebrations of the year, the feast of the Passover. As this feast concluded and the tens of thousands of pilgrims started for home, Joseph and Mary did likewise joining with the company in traveling north out of Jerusalem about a day’s journey. They had supposed that Jesus was somewhere in the caravan. But at day’s end when they went looking for Him, they soon discovered He was not there; Jesus was nowhere to be found. Can you imagine Joseph and Mary’s feelings? ‘Oh dear, we’ve lost the Son of God!’

They went back a day’s journey to Jerusalem, and after three days found Him sitting in the Temple teaching. They were, as you can imagine, justifiably distraught. “… Son,” Mary says, “why hast thou thus dealt with us? …” (Luke 2:48) There’s no mistaking the chiding in her voice.

“… How is it that ye sought me?” Jesus replies. “Know [wist] ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

It’s interesting that the scripture records that Joseph and Mary did not understand what He meant by that statement.

Now look at this. We have here a most unique situation. Probably for the first time in history, we actually do have a child who is in all ways smarter than His parents. He is the most intelligent being on the planet, capable, if you will, of governing the kingdom of the Jews if He were simply old enough. So how is He going to react toward His parents? He could have said, “I know what I’m doing; stop treating me like a child.” Or He could have said something like this: “Dad, mom, sit down before you hurt yourself.” Or He could have acted in any number of inappropriate ways toward His parents, but He didn’t.

Listen to what the scriptural record says. “… he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: …” (Luke 2:51)

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Now Jesus gave the law, “Honour thy Father and [thy] Mother: …” (Exodus 20:12) and when His mortal test came, He fulfilled that law perfectly. It is well to note – consider this – It is well to note that He honored His earthly parents not necessarily because they earned it, but because it was His duty.

Now hear me: It is just as much a commandment for children to honor their parents as it is for parents to teach the Gospel to their children. To honor our parents is to honor God. After all, children, it was He who called them to their position, not you.

We hope that your mother has the most wonderful Mothers’ Day ever!