Thoughts from Luke 11 (written by Gina Brummett)
A mixed bunch had collected around Jesus. Thrill-seekers and critics, the dumb-founded and the hopeful, were all hearing unbridled gratitude burst from the mouth of a former demoniac like an uncapped soda under pressure. Yesterday the man had tried with all his might to utter a simple “hello” to a passerby. Today – after his encounter with Jesus – no one could get a word in edgewise.
The situation called for some explanation – some definition of authority, loyalty and protocol. Jesus delivered the whole package in one statement: “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.”
So moved by what she’d witnessed and heard, a woman in the crowd blurted out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!” (Luke 11:27). Likely a mother herself, this woman could only imagine how much pride was welling up in the heart of Jesus’ mother. If His earthly mother happened to be in the crowd that day, perhaps Jesus and Mary exchanged knowing glances, a quick smile and nod of the head.
Mary would have remembered her own response, years ago, to the angelic visitation and the news that she would give birth to the Savior. “From now on all generations will call me blessed…” And here it was playing out before her eyes. “Yes, I am blessed to have raised this child!”
Mary’s thoughts would have been interrupted by Jesus’ response to the excited woman in the crowd. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
It surely took some effort for the un-named woman in the crowd to wrap her mind around this truth. Wrapping a child in loving arms – that was easy. Embracing Jesus’ words and obeying them completely – that was a different challenge. But looking over at the “un-muted”, hilariously happy spectacle of a man, she knew it was a challenge worth accepting.
Two mothers held the gaze of Jesus and whispered, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”