This man was incredible. The wisdom he had about God, his insights, his teachings, and his stories just blew her away. Marla shock her head. He must have had incredible teachers.
Except Marla's husband told her that he had been a carpenter, and that the Scribes and Pharisees hated him. Marla had seen the looks they gave Jesus, and the condescending tone they used when they spoke to him. They definitely hated Jesus. So who trained him?
Marla moved closer to the front of the crowd as she mulled over her thoughts. Maybe his parents? His father was a carpenter like him, but what did that matter? Oh, how lucky his parents were! They raised this amazing man! Marla wished her sons had grown up to be like Jesus. Oh, to be the mother of Jesus! To carry him in her womb and teach him as he grew up! That woman was extremely blessed.
Marla didn't realize what she was doing. The words just sort of spilled out, but how could she not say it? "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" Her voice was loud and bold. People around her started to nod their agreement, and a gentle hum filled her ears as their verbal agreement grew louder.
But it stopped as soon as Jesus spoke. Marla's heart skipped a beat, and worry beat within her chest that she had said something drastically wrong.
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it? Instead? Really? Marla frowned, but slowly started to smile. Did that mean that she was also blessed if she heard the word of God and kept it? Really!
Now it was Marla's turn to rival the sun. Her smile was dazzling as she embraced this truth.
Based on Luke 11:27-28
"As he said these things, a woman 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, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'" Luke 11:27-28
This woman was amazed by Jesus. It was common knowledge that Jesus was a carpenter like His earthly father, Joseph, before starting His ministry. It was very well known that the religious leaders and teacher of His day hated Him. So who taught Jesus all He knew? What amazing woman got to raise up this man?
I've felt this way before. I've literally been jealous when I think about Mary. God had such an incredible purpose for her life! She carried and raised the Son of God.
Is Mary different then you and me? Is she more holy, blessed, or a better person then you or I? That's the impression this woman had. Jesus tossed that theory right into the trash by saying, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
Jesus has never cared about who you are in the eyes of man or how "blessed" they consider you. Your official title has never mattered. The important thing to Jesus is that you hear God's Word and keep it! I compare myself to a woman who lived two thousand years ago instead of keeping God's Word. Just saying that sounds dumb, but I've done it.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
This doesn't say that some of us are called and created. It says we are His workmanship. You, me, and Joe across the street. So instead of comparing yourself to every amazing Christian who walks by, be the amazing Christian God created you to be.
V. Joy Palmer
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