Morning By Morning #176

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out,

“Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied,

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Luke 11:27 – 28

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

There are some people who enjoy the notion that Mary, the mother of our Lord, had very special privileges because they presumed she had the benefit of looking into His very heart in a way we could never hope to do. Although this idea may appear to have some plausibility, there is not much. We are not told that Mary knew more than others, but that what she did know she “pondered…in her heart” (Luke 2:19). And from what we read in the Gospels, she does not appear to have been a better-instructed believer than any other of Christ’s followers. In fact, everything she knew we may discover as well.

Are you surprised by these statements? Then here is a verse to prove them: “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them” (Ps. 25:14). And remember the Master’s words: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). The Divine Revealer of secrets tells us His heart and holds nothing back that would be profitable for us. His words of assurance are: “If it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:2).

Doesn’t Jesus even today reveal Himself to us but not to those in the world? Because this is true, we do not call out to Him in ignorance, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth.” On the contrary, with knowledge we bless God for the fact that as a result of obediently following the Word after He revealed it to us, we have just as much fellowship and oneness with the Savior as the Virgin Mary had. And we have as much knowledge of the intimate secrets of His heart as some believe only she obtained.

Oh, the blessing of being so privileged!

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

The angel Gabriel told Mary, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” and again, “You have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28 – 29). Being shown favor by the Lord, however, does not mean Mary was perfect, as some faiths teach. In fact, Mary recognized her need of a Savior, for she proclaimed, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46 – 47).

The truth is, every believer has been shown favor, for it is only by God’s grace that any of us stand before Him redeemed, forgiven, and righteous. The Old Testament tells us, “Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD” (Prov. 8:35); “Surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Ps. 5:12); and “The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Ps. 84:11). Then Paul, quoting from Isaiah 49:8, tells us, “‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

Father, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Ps. 90:17).