“Do You Respect Your Spiritual Mother?”
Have you ever heard someone call the Church a spiritual “mother?” Where does this come from in Church history? In the 3rd century AD, Cyprian of Carthage wrote: “You cannot have God as your Father unless you have the church for your Mother.” But also John Calvin uses the imagery in his 'Institutes’ where he states: "But because it is now our intention to discuss the visible church, let us learn even from the simple title of "mother" how useful, indeed how necessary, it is that we should know her. For there is no other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance, until, putting off mortal flesh, ...." (IV.1.iv).” But is this idea Biblical?
As we scan the Old Testament we know that the church (the nation of Israel) was referred to as a woman poetically (Psalm 45:10ff) or spiritually in reference to Jerusalem (Psalm 46:5; Isa.40:2; Jer.33:16; ). Jehovah speaks of being married to Israel (Isa. 62:4; Jer.3:14; Isa.50:1; Jer.3:8; Jer.3:1-11, 3:20-22). Jerusalem/national Israel was called the “mother” of the Israelites (who had confessed Jehovah to be their God – the O.T. church members). In the New Testament Christ comes to display His love in order to win His bride unto Himself. Paul speaks of Christ as having given Himself to the death of the cross for the Church – His bride – whom He will present as a “glorious church” to His Father (Eph.5:23-28). Christ nourishes and cherishes His Church as a Husband (Eph.5;29). The Church is pictured to John in Revelation as a woman, a mother (Rev.12:1-6). On the Last Day the Church will be ready and the “New Jerusalem,” will be presented “adorned as a bride is adorned for her husband” (Rev.21:2).
We cannot see the Church as God sees her in her purity but only as visible to us. Yet the visible (though imperfect) Church as the gathering of believers instituted with the means of grace (preaching, Sacraments, discipline) is very much like a mother. The Lord uses the Church – in its worship and life – as His means for the conception, birth, growth, instruction, discipline, and guidance of His children. Under His Fatherly authority and by His Word and Spirit the Church’s nurturing function can certainly be compared as being that of our spiritual mother.
As we thank God for our mothers, let us also be resolved not to neglect our place in the lap of the Church, grateful for its “mothering” care for our souls (I Thes.2:7-9). That is where we are nurtured with the warm embrace of love (I Cor.16:24) and fed, by the “pure milk” of the Word (I Peter 2:2). That is where we are closest to the Father and there we have fellowship with the spiritual family of Heaven.