28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Jesus spoke those words in response to a woman who loudly proclaimed the blessedness of Mary, His mother. Her words about Mary were: “Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked” (Luke 11:27). Jesus neither denied her words nor reproved her for what she said. In fact, His words “Yea rather” implied that He agreed to the woman’s declaration that Mary was blessed to bear and suckle such a child (cf. Luke 1:27-28, 42, 48), but He also wanted to pronounce something more joyous than the honour and privilege of bearing and suckling the Holy Child. Jesus wanted them to possess the greatest, noblest and purest joy that transcends all other rejoicings of man.
Have you realised that there is no greater blessedness than hearing and obeying God’s Word? Jesus said, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” True happiness belongs to those who hear and obey God’s Word. This is a greater blessedness than being physically related to Jesus. More than merely an earthly relationship with Him, He wanted all to seek a spiritual relationship with Him that leads to ultimate joy.
A true loving relationship with Christ entails one’s faithful allegiance to His words. Jesus had said on another occasion, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We must not only hear His words, but also obey them diligently. As James wrote in his epistle, “…not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25).
Where there is a high regard for His Word, there will His love, cheer and blessings flourish. His promises of blessedness to those who hear and obey are repeated in the Scriptures. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:7 assures, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
Even if you give assent to His Word with your nods, it would be of no avail unless you hear, believe and put it into practice. Blessedness belongs to those who hear and obey His Word. He who hears to believe, and believes to do His Word, shall be blessed.