There’s an interesting text found in Luke 11:27-28 that teaches us about the significance of where our focus needs to be that I think can easily be overlooked. Let’s look at it ourselves and see if we are making sure to have our priorities in the right place, focusing on the right things.
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 bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Jesus was able to perform many miracles, and just before this encounter with this woman, He was able to cast out a demon from a man that was causing him not to be able to speak. As soon as the man was free from the possession, he spoke, and the crowd of witnesses were amazed and marveled at Jesus’ power. However, some were accusatory of Jesus, saying that He was working through Beelzebub. Jesus clarifies how he was able to perform this miracle through an illustration of a divided house and how it can not stand. Jesus teaches it is by God’s power that he can do these amazing things by explaining how things work in the spiritual world (Luke 11:14-26).
After Jesus provides this explanation, a woman (perhaps a mother) was so impressed with His wisdom as a teacher she cries out to bless his mother, Mary (Luke 11:27). Mary was worthy of blessings; Elizabeth says so, and she says so herself after hearing of the news she would give birth to the Savior. Elizabeth says, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). Mary says, “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.” (Luke 1:48). There are great things we can do for the Lord, and we are blessed by these efforts. We can even be the recipient of such blessings at the hand of other people. But these great works and blessings can not be the focus of our lives. Even if someone sharing the gospel with us may seem significant, the focus is not on the person but on the message.
Mary was significant, but Jesus says, “On the contrary…” (Luke 11:28a). She played a significant part in the incarnation of the Son of God in the flesh on earth. Even Jesus says that this is not the most significant, and Mary knew this from the beginning. She says, “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name” (Luke 1:49). Mary places significance on the Mighty One. It’s easy for us to get sidetracked and put what is not important in a higher place than what is appropriate. We need to stay focused on what is truly significant.
Jesus never says it was wrong to thank God for his mother nor to bless her for the significant work she had done, but Jesus never intended for her to be worshipped or to play a more significant role than what she played. Jesus places more significance on those who hear and do the word of God. He says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28b). This was also the message of Mary when she quotes from Psalm 103:17 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM” (Luke 1:50). Those who fear God are those who will see the significance of hearing the word of God and putting it into practice. Hearing is not enough; we must “observe” the word of God by living it out in our lives. Jesus says that’s where the focus needs to be; that is what is truly significant.
I love you,
Alex