Hear and Obey

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. - Luke 11:28

Jesus could handle controversy. He had just demonstrated that He could do so. He could handle direct attack. Now He faced an even greater challenge – how to handle praise. “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” seemed innocent enough, but Jesus knew that compliments could be dangerous and manipulative. He also knew that the greatest compliment that could ever be paid to His ministry would occur when people heard God’s Word and did something about it.

Proverbs 27:21 says that we are tested by the praise we receive. Jesus passed the test without being rude or ungrateful. What he did with that opportunity was zero in on the real issue with which He was confronting the people. It was not about how wonderful His words sounded or how magnificent His works appeared. The issue was that the people had the opportunity to hear the Word of God and the urgency to respond.

Hear and obey. It is that simple. It is the way of blessedness. It is the path of peace. It is the Jesus way.

Jesus had dealt with a difficult issue in the manner of a master teacher. He had confounded those who had accused Him of alliance with Satan. He had destroyed their argument and exalted the truth. At least one woman had been spellbound by the spectacle and profoundly impressed with His skill. She shouted out a compliment of the highest order.

So often we hear sermons and songs that are so beautiful in language and musical presentation that we are tempted to linger over them and pour out endless praise to those who have performed masterfully. Not to diminish their efforts, we must remind ourselves that it is the truth presented that carries more weight than the skill and artistry of the presentation.

Then, the real proof is in what we do with what we have heard. Having heard the Word, shall we obey? Therein, lies true blessing.