Obedience

Obedience

As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” He replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Luke 11:27-28

When the woman in this story pronounced a blessing on Mary, she was also complimenting Jesus. But by Jesus’ response we get the impression that he desires obedience more than compliments. The woman was certainly sincere, but sincerity alone is not enough.

The order of events in this passage of Scripture is no coincidence. Notice the first words of the verse above: “As he was speaking . . .” What had he been saying? “Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me” (Luke 11:23). Jesus was cautioning the people against neutrality. He was teaching them that there’s a spiritual war going on, and we must choose between two forces. While Jesus is building his kingdom, Satan is trying to destroy it. We must decide between the two, and if we don’t make a choice, we are in essence against Christ. As Warren Wiersbe says, “We take sides with Jesus Christ when we hear his Word and obey it.”

Throughout God’s Word we are taught that obedience comes after hearing. God has revealed his truth to us, and he asks us to respond to it positively and actively. Isn’t that exactly what we desire from our children? We want them to listen to us and obey us; the two go hand in hand. Let’s not forget that Jesus used the word blessed in his response to the woman. That word means happy. When we hear God’s Word and obey, that’s true happiness.

Father,

May we remember that what you want most from us is our obedience. Amen.