CD - The Fourth Commandment - John 19:25-27

Parents are not perfect, but they are forgiven. God does not tell us to obey our parents unless they tell us to do something we do not want to do. Nor does He tell us to do everything our parents say even if it is wrong. Of course, this commandment does not speak just of parents. In our society and world today, other people take on that role at times, others such as teachers, baby sitters, grandparents, pastors, etc.

When you get to be twenty-five years old or so, you can look back on your life, and you will see a certain pattern emerge. This pattern is pretty much the same for all people. It goes something like this: From age zero to two, we depend completely on our parents. Sometimes around age two, we learn of our independence and ability to think. Thus, we learn the word “no” (affectionately known as the terrible two's, depending on the raisers). From age two to about twelve, we think our parents know everything, or at least pretty much so. At about age twelve, our parents start getting dumb and begin to know less and less. This trend continues until about the age of twenty-one or so, depending on when you leave home. After you have been away from home for about four years, your parents begin to come out of their educational slump and begin to know more and more. You even find yourself calling and asking for their opinion on different issues and problems. You may even discover that they know the same things that you know.

I know that you will not believe this now, but look back in a few years and see if this is not true. Or ask your parents if this happens. Of course, you probably will not believe them anyway.

Back to the commandment—God does not put any restrictions on this commandment. He simply says to do it. We can compare how we are as good or bad children by comparing ourselves with others our own age. In comparing ourselves to others we can always find some better or worse than we are. We miss the point if we compare ourselves to anyone but Jesus. When we compare ourselves to Jesus we see that we all miss the boat because He was a perfect child. Our Bible reading from John even shows us that during His suffering on the cross He took it upon Himself to care for His mother. Now that is obeying the fourth commandment!

I know we cannot obey this command perfectly, but we can better our record. I know it is easier to help out at someone else’s house, to help others than it is to work at your own home (you will be there eighteen years or so anyway), and act in such a manner.

We often find that it is not easy living in our own homes day after day. Seeing the same people week after week seems to become difficult. I am sure, that if you looked, you could easily find others who have it much worse than you. You can even find others who do not have a home at all.

Try being more thankful for what you have, food, shelter, clothes, etc. Try being thankful that you have parents who care enough to discipline you. Try being thankful and see what happens.

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of my parents, because without my parents there would not be a me. Forgive me when I disobey, despise, or anger my parents in any way, by thought, word, or deed. Help me be better at honoring them, serving and obeying them, and loving and cherishing them, as Jesus did His parents. For His sake. Amen.