Jesus and his mother

And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" – Luke 11.27-28

I live in a country which has a long history of Marian veneration, or even Marian worship. There can be no doubt that Mary is a person well worth our study and our interest, but it interesting to see what the Bible says about her in her role as Jesus’ mother.

I don’t know for sure, but it looks like some type of veneration of Mary had already started. As Jesus was speaking a woman from the crowd shouted ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!’

I imagine that she was expecting an ‘amen’ or at least an acknowledgement of the truth of what she said.

But she said ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’

Jesus didn't put Mary down. He didn’t even deny the veracity of the woman’s statement. He didn’t bash her for taking things too far – he just pointed out that there is a way to a surer and greater blessing.

The greater blessing than being Jesus’ mother comes to those who simply hear God’s word and apply it. There is no greater blessing on earth than to listen to what God has to say and then apply it to our lives.

We are reminded once again that it is not enough to just hear the word of God. Anyone can do that. The blessing comes when we keep Gods word by doing it.

Mary was blessed, but not because she bore Jesus. She was blessed the same as we are, by hearing God's word and applying it to her life.