"But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it."
Luke 11:28
Part 1
In the context of Luke 11, Jesus had just been teaching about Himself, Beelzebul, and demons. After hearing Jesus teach this truth, a woman in the crowd said this,
“…Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed!” (Luke 11:27, ESV).
This precious lady, with genuine motherly feelings, envied Jesus’ mother for bearing this excellent Teacher.
“She thought that the ‘mother’ of such a person must be especially happy in having such a son”[1] (Barnes).
Jesus’ answer to her,
“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28).
There is an essential truth for us in these words.
“Yea, rather.”
Jesus does not deny that His mother is blessed. But in His kind reproof, He helps this dear lady to see things differently. Interestingly, Jesus deflected the praise from His mother, Mary, He then described those who are blessed and how to be blessed.
“Blessed are they.”
As we think through this verse, we realize that two things mark the genuinely blessed person.
1) Hearing-believing.
2) Obeying-doing.
These ideas are nothing new to the Word of God, for we can see these truths all through the Bible.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments” (Psalm 112:1).
“…Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways” (Psalm 128:1).
Jesus’ explanation to this lady in the crowd teaches her how to be blessed by God. He speaks very plainly here. Believers, how can we be blessed by our Lord? Tomorrow we will continue with these two thoughts from the Lord Jesus.
Quote: “One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons”[2] (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Bonhoeffer’s quote, Downloaded: Monday, July 20, 2020. From: https://www.wiseoldsayings.com/obedience-quotes/#ixzz6SjzIapQ8.