Today's passage: Luke 11
Today's focus: vs. 27-28
Author: [from 2020 devotional archives]
It is short conversation consisting of two lines recorded in two verses. Yet it has much to say in this season. "Blessed Virgin Mary." Catholics idolize her, and Protestants avoid talking about her (and miss out greatly on her story, faith, calling, and life).
In Luke 11, we see a woman shout a blessing: "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" This is a line that honors Jesus' mother. It's a blessing upon His family. It's a testament of Mary's faithfulness in raising Jesus. Moreover, what she shouted out is very similar to what Elizabeth shouted to her cousin in Luke 1:42, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
Sure, there is a subtle distinction: the lady in the crowd blessed the womb and the breast that raised Jesus. Elizabeth, on the other hand, blesses Mary also, but also blesses the "fruit of your womb." This lady is blessing the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth blesses Jesus.
Jesus' response to the lady in the crowd is a left-hook punch that no one saw coming:
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
To His point, then, the Virgin Mary is blessed because she heard the word of God and kept it by bringing Jesus into the world. It had nothing to do with the birthing, but with the obedience. Thus, when we hear God's word and keep it, we are blessed. Go back and read verses 5-13. Are you keeping God's word by caring for others ?
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