Our gracious Heavenly Father has blessed us with mothers, reflecting His own compassionate, merciful, patient and steadfast love (Isaiah 66:13; 49:15–16).

But, God’s gift of mothers extends beyond His generous provision of biological mothers. He has also gifted His Church with spiritual mothers.

Deborah, a prophetess and judge, guided, inspired and led God’s people to victory over their enemies. In God’s strength, she arose as “a mother in Israel” at a time when God’s people lacked strong leadership. She is joined in the Old Testament by a long list of women—including, but not limited to, Shiphrah and Puah, Miriam, Naomi and Ruth, the woman of Thebez, Jael, Abigail, the Shunammite woman, Huldah and Jehosheba—who model the mother-heart of God. Through hospitality, comfort, courage, shrewdness, remarkable strength, guidance, wisdom and spiritual insight, they cared for God’s people and helped preserve His purposes.

In the New Testament, this pattern continues. The Church still sings the song of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Blessed among women, she has become a spiritual mother to all who have read the words of her song and drawn closer to the Lord as a result. Mary Magdalene is the apostle to the apostles, proclaiming the resurrected Lord Jesus to the confused and frightened disciples.

Phoebe carried Paul’s letter to the church in Rome and may have read and explained it to the Church. Priscilla instructed Apollos and helped him grow in his faith and understanding. Lydia opened her home and resources, beginning the church in Philippi. Lois and Eunice passed on sincere faith to the next generation. Junia is named by Paul as “outstanding among the apostles.” And Rufus’s mother ministered to Paul in such an intimate and unique that, that he described her as “a mother to me as well” (Romans 16:13).

As with the aforementioned list of Old Testament women, this list offers only a glimpse of the many women who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, profoundly shaped, served and strengthened the early church.

As a Pharisee deeply trained in the Scriptures, Paul understood the vital role of spiritual mothers within the community of God’s people. This understanding is reflected in the generous and honouring way he spoke of women as co-workers, prophets and apostles. It also undergirds his instruction in Titus 2, where older women are called to teach younger women and to model lives marked by reverence, self-control, kindness and love.

Every day, but especially on Mother’s Day, it is fitting to also remember and honour the spiritual mothers who have gone before us and those who continue to serve among us today. They stand in that great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 13), encouraging us to persevere in the faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus.