As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless Your mother—the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!” Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Luke 11:27-28
What an intriguing little anecdote tucked in the midst of the action! Jesus is in the midst of challenging those who oppose Him and handling their criticism adeptly and with authority. After Jesus has cast out some demons and people in the crowd have suggested He has a demon too, Jesus makes comments about divided kingdoms and then gives the analogy related to the strongman. It seems this impresses one woman in the crowd so much that she bursts out with a spontaneous comment for all to hear. I wonder if she has personal experience in her family of the things Jesus is talking about? Perhaps there is one in her family oppressed by demons. Or perhaps she is just impressed with this man who is speaking to the crowd. She can’t contain her enthusiasm any longer and she blurts out, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you.”
Oh dear, a bit on the nose, isn’t it? A bit forward or personal. No, not at all! This is a very common expression of admiration for someone, meaning “happy is the mother of such a son as this.”
- “Your mother must be especially blessed by God.”
- “I wish I had a son like you.”
Isn’t this interesting in the context of what Mary said after the pronouncement of blessing on her. Her words, “From now on all people will call me blessed,”(Luke 1:48) have come true in the mouth of this woman. This woman in the crowd perceives in Jesus something special. So much so she says effectively, “Wow, your mum must be a blessed woman to have a son like you.” This is not said in order to praise Mary. It is said to praise Jesus. Having seen Him casting out demons and giving the crowd a new understanding of the demonic in the context of the Kingdom of God, the woman realises Jesus is someone special.
Jesus’ comment in response to the woman is interesting as well. He doesn’t refute the woman and say she is wrong. He accepts that Mary is blessed of God. It is clear from the Word of God that Mary is blessed of God and furthermore, that people will recognize that fact. But Jesus effectively moves the conversation to a higher level. “Yes, My mother is blessed, but even more blessed are those who hear the Word of God and do it.” Now where have we heard that before? We came across it in Luke with the parable of the soils (Luke 8). But Mary herself makes comments like that at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. “Whatever He says to you do it.” “Hang on to every word My son tells you.” Jesus is saying, “Yes my mother is blessed of God, but you can all be even more blessed than Mary, if you hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
This is a lesson for those who are demon oppressed or possessed and refuse to submit to the God. It is also a word to those who are a part of this evil generation, caught up in rebellion and rejecting the Word of God. Luke is the only one who includes this little segment of the woman’s enthusiastic outburst and Jesus clipped response. Jesus is saying in nutshell, “Don’t go praising Me and my mother. Greater by far is to hear the Word of God and do it, and you will be blessed even more.”
- Do you want a son like that?
- Do you want grandchildren like that?
- Do you want your family saturated with blessing?
- Put into practice the Word of God that you read and hear!
- Practice it and you too will have deeper insights into the spiritual world and the significance of God’s greater plan.
Remember Moses knew the ways of God, not just His acts. You can be the same, understanding the principles behind the scenes by hearing the Word of God and doing it. May we see our challenges through the filter of our blessings.
God doesn’t need your permission to bless & use me. God doesn’t need my permission to bless & use you.
Rick Warren
Sometimes it takes years, but eventually you discover that the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in your life…is you.
Bob Gass
The degree of blessing enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of his submission to God.
A. W. Tozer
Now that you know these things, how blessed you will be if you put them into practice!
John 13:17