“Be Blessed As You Hear And Obey God’s Word!”

“Be Blessed As You Hear And Obey God’s Word!”(Lk.11:27-28).
Yesterday Sunday we reflected from Luke 11:14-26. Today is a continuation of same chapter. “As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.'” Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
At one time Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but couldn’t get to him because they couldn’t penetrate through the crowd. Someone told him that his mother and brothers were standing outside, wanting to see him. He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice”(Lk.8:19-21). This particular incident features the synoptic gospels. It was out of deep love and concern that they went looking for him. His activities caused people to say, “He is out of his mind”(Mk.3:20-21). To be out of your mind is to say you have become insane! From our African background which has a lot of similarities with the Jewish culture, a family tries as much as possible to confine an insane family member. They may tie the one with chains just to prevent him/her from public view to hide shame and disgrace on the family.
“Mother is gold,” to those who cherish mother’s love! When the late Cameroonian philosopher/musician Prince Nico Mbarga sang “Sweet Mother,” it flowed so naturally, but when under pressure he sang “Good Father,” it didn’t quite flow. “Good Father” did not have that natural inspiration welling up from the heart.
Mother is tightly bonded with the child than the father. She carries the child in her womb for nine months, at childbirth she bears the birthpangs. She nurses the baby for long. She breastfeeds, bathes carries the baby wherever she goes until the child is weaned. Which father does that? Mother is gold indeed!
Reflecting on all of these, can we say Jesus is that kind of carpenter who is busy repairing the roof of other people’s houses while his own roof is leaking profusely? Or to put it in his own words, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!…'”(Lk.4:23).
Jesus did not undermine the importance of his mother! Mary was already a blessed mother. The woman in the crowd spoke prophetically what she did not know.
At the Anunciatuon the angel had told Mary, “…you are highly favoured! The LORD is with you…Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God'”(Lk.1:28&30-31a).
Jesus was fully aware that his mother was a blessed woman. But he was saying that salvation is not through bloodline or blood relationship! We live in a continent where everything is linked to “Connections!” A continent where most of the time it is not about what you know, but who you know! A continent plagued by the canker of tribalism, nepotism and “man know man ism!”
My friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is telling you and I that we are blessed, and that we are more than family to him if only we hear the word of God and obey it! Obedience is seen in action!
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit help me to become blessed as I hear and obey the word of God. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.