Passage Read: Luke 11-12
Meditation Verses: 11:27-28
Thought
This is such an interesting statement from a modern perspective. This woman sounds like an ancient times feminist! It doesn't have to be read that way, of course, she can just be saying how proud Jesus' mother must be to see her son speaking such wisdom and proclaiming God's truth and performing great miracles! But wouldn't his father also be proud? Why no mention of him? It is also a backhanded compliment to Jesus. Surely mother and father would be blessed to have such a son. But Jesus completely undercuts her point: "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Sure, it's amazing to be under the teaching of a faithful, God-fearing preacher, but it's of no value to be under such teaching if you don't do what is taught. Hearing such preaching or being the parent of such a preacher has no benefit or value if you don't also obey. The most important thing, therefore, is not your connection to a great preacher, but your obedience to God's Word. Praising the teacher while ignoring his teaching is a true waste.
Application
I will not be judged by the company I keep or the preachers I listen to. I will be judged by whether I discerned the Word of God and obeyed it. It is foolish to pursue and praise celebrity preachers, even the solid ones, if I don't also do what is taught. Even if I know all the right things to say and have perfect doctrine because I've listened to all the right preachers, if I don't obey what God requires, it's all for nothing. Obedience to God's Word, walking in His ways, is the only thing that counts, because it's the only true expression of saving faith.