BLESSED FOR OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“But He said, ‘Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.’ ”  Luke 11:28 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  One day, after He had finished praying, one of His disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and He taught them the model prayer. (Luke 11:1-4)  Then He told them some examples of giving and then He said to them “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:5-10)  He also said that if an evil earthly father will give good gifts to his children, how much more will their heavenly Father give to His children. (Luke 11:11-13)  Later, after Jesus drove the demon spirit out of a mute man, some of the people in the crowd said that it was by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that Jesus could do this.  Jesus responded to them and said that a house or a kingdom which is divided against itself cannot stand. (Luke 11:14-26)  As He was saying these things, a woman in the crowd yelled out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”  Jesus replied to her, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:27-28)  As the crowd around Him increased, Jesus said that they were a wicked generation.  They were seeking signs but no sign will be given except the signs which have already been done.  Then He told them about light and darkness. (Luke 11:29-36)  As He was speaking, a Pharisee invited Him to his house to eat.  So Jesus went and surprised the Pharisee because He did not first wash His hands before the meal.  Jesus said that they focus on cleaning the outside but their insides are wicked.  He then said, “Woe to you Pharisees …” and He issued several chastisements against them. (Luke 11:37-44)  Then one of the lawyers said that He was insulting them, and Jesus issued several chastisements against the lawyers. (Luke 11:45-52)  Jesus went outside and the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose Him fiercely, questioning Him in order to trap  Him. (Luke 11:53-54)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible says that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was blessed and highly favored. (Luke 1:28)  However, the phrase “blessed art thou among women” does not confer upon her a status which is worthy of being worshiped or prayed to.  The same was said of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. (Judges 5:24)  Jesus gently reproved the woman in the crowd who called out a blessing to His mother.  He made it very clear that it was more important to hear and obey The Word of God.  This blessing is one of the many conditional blessings which are presented in The Bible.  We are blessed if we are both hearers and doers of God’s Word. (James 1:22)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If ye love me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 and 14:21)  Obey The Word of God and be blessed.