Today's Devotion:    As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:27-28)   

Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to be Jesus’ mother? As Jesus was ministering among the people, a woman cries out and calls Jesus’ mother blessed. We might think to ourselves, “Blessed indeed.”
Can you imagine realizing that the baby you would bear was miraculously conceived and obviously the Son of God. Can you imagine the pride you would have as you watched Him grow and develop into a man? Think of how you would feel as you listened to his wise teaching, watched his compassionate miracles and observed the adoration of the crowds. Surely Mary was awestruck, and though her life as the mother of the Messiah had some very difficult moments, there must have been a sense of joy and purpose that filled her life.

While Jesus doesn’t deny that Mary was blessed, he makes an interesting point. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” The blessing isn’t in having given guidance to the child Jesus, but the blessing is found in grasping His wisdom and guidance for us! The way we grow close to Jesus is through understanding His will (i.e. His likes and dislikes) and then living accordingly. In doing so, we will walk with Him, understand Him better, and share in His work in the world.

You think Mary was given a wonderful opportujity. You have the opportunity to experience an even greater blessing that. But we must hear the Word of God and then obey it.

Pastor Mark