Scripture: As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:27-28 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, immediately following this neighborly-love lesson, Luke tells us Jesus and his disciples move on to Bethany and visit the home of Martha and Mary. Martha busies herself with showing hospitality while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and absorbs his teachings like a sponge. Meanwhile, Martha internalizes resentment toward Mary for not lending a hand and complains to Jesus, beckoning him to direct Mary to help her. But Jesus refuses Martha’s request and instead speaks to her heart, compassionately exposing her ongoing worry and anxiety while extending hope that she can find rest for her distressed soul with “one thing” (i.e., seeking first the kingdom of God) that is the “good portion” (all God’s good gifts that bring us peace over anxiety).
In today’s reading, we skip to the next (above) passage found only in Luke. Having instructed his disciples how to pray to the Father and illustrated how the Father faithfully responds to our prayers, Jesus then casts out a demon from a mute man only to refute accusations that he performs such miracles by the power of Satan, which brings us to our text. A woman amid the crowd, impressed by Jesus’ power over demons and wisdom to refute false accusations, shouts a blessing over Jesus’ mother (and him indirectly). But Jesus, who needs only his Father’s affirmation, responds with another teaching point: blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.
Takeaway: In this brief segue, Jesus does not denigrate the importance of his mother’s faithful role in bearing him in the womb and raising him to adulthood. Nor does he criticize the woman’s expression of gratitude, for honoring one’s mother via her son’s accomplishments was an acceptable Jewish practice (see Genesis 49:24; Proverbs 23:24-25). Rather, Jesus seized the moment to emphasize ultimate blessings flow to those who hear and obey God’s Word. Indeed, as theologian Walter Liefeld contends, “Richness and fullness of life are not a matter of biological or social origin, but relating well to the Lord of the universe” (NIV Application Commentary: Luke, p.324). Similarly, earlier, when approached by a messenger who informed him his mother and brother want to see him, Jesus tells those gathered around him, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21 ESV).
Our takeaway? Undoubtedly, the family unit matters to God, given it supersedes his chosen nation and its religious body. Nevertheless, just as Jesus clarified to the Sadducees, there is no marriage in the resurrection, for we will be like angels in heaven (see Matthew 22:23-33). So we must not hold too tightly to our dearest human relationships, for once we transition to the heavenly realm, these bonds will be equally yoked to our Triune God. Meanwhile, in this temporal life, we must commit ourselves to hear and keep (obey) God’s Word and resultantly prioritize our love and affection for the Father and Son that will organically flow to those closest to us, our family, and beyond to our neighbors. And when we do, our family and neighbors will fair the best in our company.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you that your Son, the eternal Word who co-created all things with you, faithfully taught his disciples the breadth of your commands and other truths about you and your kingdom and instructed them to do likewise so that we might inherit your life-giving words. Still, we struggle to prioritize our love and affection for you and your Son above family and friends. So would you please help us consistently hear and keep your Son’s teachings so that we might keep an eternal perspective of what it means to love you first and foremost and our family and neighbors as ourselves? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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