Happy ‘Blessed Rather’ Day!
May 12, 2013
Who is the world’s most blessed mother? Resist the temptation to say your very own mother because you are her child! Seriously though, many might say the mother of Jesus since she gave birth to a perfect child! While I can think of no greater honor than to be the mother of Christ, it is very interesting to note in Luke 11:27-28 that Jesus could think of a greater blessing than being His Mom!
“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
In this passage, we learn that Jesus was waxing eloquently among the crowds which included the scribes and Pharisees who despised and blasphemed his excellent discourses. However, also in that crowd was a woman who admired Jesus’ teachings and the wisdom and the power with which He spoke. It was almost as if she couldn’t contain herself from standing up and shouting out how pleased she was to hear Jesus confounding and putting to shame the Pharisees. She couldn’t refrain from crying out, “Blessed is the womb that bore you!” Perhaps an appropriate paraphrase would be, “Happy is the woman who has you for her son because surely there was never a greater one born of a woman! I myself would have been very happy to have been called your mother as you speak as no man has ever spoken and as you are so great a blessing.”
Her affectionate accolade well expressed her high esteem of Jesus Christ and the honor that she reflected upon His mother. However, Jesus responded with a “blessed rather”. He did not disrespect the women’s comment, nor diminish the honor paid to His mother or to Himself, but rather, He suggested there was an even greater blessing than being the mother of Jesus. “But He said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
I think that Jesus was encouraging her that she might be as happy as His own mother, whose happiness she was ready to envy, if she would hear the word of God and keep it. What a great privilege to hear the word of God, but only those are truly blessed of the Lord who hear and keep the Word of the Lord!
Mother’s Day can be a difficult day for many people and for a variety of reasons. Many children may be deeply missing a mother that has passed away, or many may live with the unfulfilled longing to be a mom. While these are real feelings of loss maybe we can take some comfort in knowing that while moms and motherhood are incredible blessings, yet rather a greater blessing exists in hearing and obeying the Word of God! Happy “Blessed Rather Day!”(sv)
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! While I’m sure that being my mother pales in comparison to being Jesus’ mother, I thank you for being one of the greatest blessings in my life. I hope my life reflects obedience to God’s Word and in turn blesses your heart! I love you beyond measure!