The Gospel Revealed Through Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood
Photo Credit: Erin Heuser Photography
As mothers, we get a glimpse of God’s deep, unwavering love for His children in our own imperfect way. The love we show to our children, as profound as it is, is only a dim reflection of God’s perfect love for us, as demonstrated in the gospel. Through the seasons of pregnancy, labor and birth, and the joys and challenges of motherhood, we can see reflections of Jesus’ character and His love for us.
The gospel is the good news that God, through Jesus Christ, made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. It’s not just a story of salvation, but the full revelation of God’s character—His justice, mercy, grace, and love on display. The gospel tells us that while we are more flawed and sinful than we’d ever dare imagine, we are simultaneously more loved and accepted in Christ than we could ever dare hope. In Christ, God’s love for us is not based on our performance or merit—it’s a love that is unearned and lavishly given.
As we reflect on these gospel truths, pregnancy, labor, and motherhood offer us tangible glimpses of this reality. Though our love is imperfect, these experiences give us a window into the perfect love God has for us.
The Gospel in Pregnancy: Love Without Merit
In pregnancy, we experience a love that is entirely unconditional. As our child grows inside of us, they haven’t done anything to earn our love or affection. In fact, pregnancy can make life harder—sickness, discomfort, and loss of personal freedoms. Yet, despite the physical toll, we love our baby simply because they are ours. Our love for them is not based on their performance or what they give to us.
This mirrors God’s love for us through the gospel. We have done nothing to deserve His love—on our own, we cannot earn or merit His favor. And yet, God loves us simply because we are His beloved children. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The love we feel in pregnancy reflects the kind of love God lavishes on us: unearned, unmerited, but fully given.
The Gospel in Labor and Birth: A Passive Role in Our Salvation
When it comes to labor and birth, it’s the mother’s effort that brings the child into the world. The baby is the passive agent in their birth—they aren’t doing anything to bring themselves into life. It is through the labor, strength, and endurance of the mother that the baby is delivered.
This is a powerful picture of the gospel. We, like the baby, are passive in our own salvation. It is not by our works or our efforts that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our salvation is entirely through Christ—His labor, His effort, His sacrifice. Just as the mother labors to bring new life into the world, Jesus bore the weight of our sins on the cross and brought us into new life through His death and resurrection. We do nothing to earn our salvation—it is entirely the work of Christ on our behalf.
The Gospel in Motherhood: Sacrificial Love
As mothers, we would do anything for our children. Our love for them is fierce and protective. We would even lay down our lives to protect them. This intense love reflects, in part, the sacrificial love Christ has for us. But there’s a key difference—while we might be willing to lay down our lives for our children, Christ actually did die for us. He laid down His life so that we could have eternal life with Him.
Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” His love for us goes beyond what we, as human mothers, are capable of. His sacrifice was not theoretical—it was real. He laid down His life willingly, demonstrating the depth of His love in a way that we can only aspire to.
The point of this reflection is not to challenge us to be better mothers or strive harder in our role. The truth is, we will always fall short of the perfection we desire in motherhood. But rather than feeling discouraged, we should be humbled and in awe of the love the Lord has lavished on us. His love is perfect where ours is flawed. His grace is sufficient where we lack.
If we are in Christ, we are His children, and being a mother gives us a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of the heart of God and understand the gospel in a deeper, more intimate way. Through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, we experience a small reflection of the immense love and grace He has for us.
Take heart, mothers—God sees you, knows you, and loves you with a love that surpasses anything we could ever offer our children. Rest in His perfect love, and let it lead you to a place of awe, wonder, and worship.
