Luke 11:27-28 – “While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that carried You, and the breasts at which You nursed!’ 28 But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.’”
I don’t know anyone whose life has not been dramatically changed by a baby. New parents are tired all the time and no longer drop everything to go out to every social opportunity. They are busy giving to their new baby. But while a mother is nourishing her baby and a husband is trying to nourish her, the baby will nourish them with coos and smiles and bright eyes staring back. As they sacrifice for their child’s growth, parents themselves are growing. Parents learn self-sacrificial love and reward, and are better for having kids.
When Christ comes into our lives, our lives dramatically change like Mary’s life changed from giving birth to Jesus. As blessed as Mary was by having Jesus as her son, and as blessed as we are in having our own children, so Jesus says is the person who has the word of God and obeys it.
The word of God nourishes our souls as a mother nourishes her child. The person who obeys the word of God begins to nourish others. The word of God calls people to sacrifice certain practices, but it leads to growth for oneself and for others.
There was tremendous blessing for Mary having Jesus and Jesus reminds us there’s a similar and even greater blessing for those who hear the word of God from Him and follow it.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the Word of God by which I can be transformed and give birth to Jesus in my own life. Help me not to take the Word for granted and to follow it to the glory of Your name. Amen.