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.” Luke 11.27-28

What is greater – those who hear the Word of God and obey or being the mother of Jesus? According to Jesus it is the former, those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

In this short scene, this woman expressed how wonderful it must have been for Mary to have given birth to such a son as Jesus. This was an indirect compliment given to Jesus, but Jesus took it as an opportunity to state what is greater.

Mary was blessed to be the mother of Jesus as Luke writes what Elizabeth her relative says – Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord (1.42-45). The fact that she was blessed and spoken of this way does not mean she should be elevated to a position of one to be worshiped. Jesus alone is to be worshiped, not his mother. Mary was a servant of God and knew it very well as she states, For He has regard for the humble state of His bondslave (Luke 1.48). Mary displays a trust and obedience in God’s Word and the Lord’s will that should be modeled (Luke 1.38).

So, Advent points to an uncommon greatness. True greatness in the eyes of Christ are those who hear the Word of God and obey, namely the gospel and believe it. So, be encouraged today, to hear and read the Word of God and believe it. Put into practice the Word and be encouraged with abounding hope (Romans 15.4, 13).

Weekly Bible Verse: The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19.1