March 6

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. - Luke 11:27-28.

THE Scriptures very aptly resemble the garden of Eden, where there was a fulness and freshness of every thing which could possibly be desired. In the Scriptures we have promises, consolations, encouragements, and cautions, &c.; all arranged in the most simple yet in the most interesting manner. We are shackled by no system, but have divine truth, mingled with history and biography. Children, we know, are more easily captivated by tales and facts; and man is but a child of greater growth.

We have here, First, The woman’s exclamation:-“A certain woman of the company lifted up her voice,” &c. “We may notice the cause of her exclamation:-the speaking of Jesus. His word, though powerful, is not a hurricane, but harmony; not a hammer, breaking the block into small portions or pieces, but leaving each severed piece with its old nature and original properties; but the word of divine truth acts as the sun in melting down the stubbornness and obduracy of the heart.

Observe, Secondly, On what her admiration turned. The cold-hearted Pharisee might have felt disposed to exclaim, “What irregularity! What a breach of order!” Jesus, however, was in no danger of being disconcerted in his discourse from any casual interruption, but was at all times fully at liberty to take advantage of every passing event; and we may readily imagine that, had such exclamations been made, he would have answered them by saying, “Let these hold their peace!” Then would “the very stones cry out against them.” The woman doubtlessly felt the higher honour which was conferred on Mary. Really, when we think of this young creature, only about sixteen years of age, honoured as the mother of him who should be the Saviour of the world, we could not feel surprised had she become vain and proud. Nothing but the grace of God could have preserved her from it, after it was said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” With regard, then, to the woman’s exclamation, we need not be surprised. Indeed, I am often astonished that the more vulgar and uninstructed among us do not more frequently break the rules of order and general discourse when they first behold the glory of God. Jesus, however, was anxious to inspire her with hope, by telling her, “Yea, rather, blessed are they that bear the word of God and keep it.” On another occasion while Jesus was speaking, a whisper ran through the crowd,-“His mother and brethren stand without.” They felt the high honour bestowed on them; but Jesus, “as his custom was,” turned their attention from this subject by inquiring, “Who is my mother?” &c. “Whosoever doeth my will.” The Saviour knew how to touch every spring and affection of his auditors. We may remark, in reference to the high admiration of the woman, that the admiration of every one, when he first receives a correct view of divine truth, is singularly high. Such a one cannot pass the fields, the houses, the cattle, of such as live “godly in Christ Jesus,” without pronouncing his benediction upon them. He envies all who share in the intercourse and communion of such. Many a Christian among us would gladly have welcomed Christ to his table: this is not allowed us; but we may enjoy him in our hearts by faith.

Observe, Thirdly, our Lord’s reply:-“Rather, blessed are they that hear the word,” &c. In this reply there is an admission of the truth the woman declared, and a blessing pronounced on those who hear the word of God and keep it. Unfortunately many content themselves with hearing. The religion of too many consists not merely in the form of godliness, but also in the form of knowledge. It has generally been found that those who have been most in the habit of running from preacher to preacher have been the most ignorant and uninstructed. Let us remember that hearing is only instrumental to salvation. Our knowledge, in a great measure, is obtained by hearing. Sin first entered by the ear into the heart. Salvation is communicated through the same medium. Faith comes by hearing, but the promise is not made to hearing but to doing. “Hear, and your souls shall live.” Hence we are exhorted not to be “a hearer only but a doer of the word.” Otherwise the blessing will prove a curse. But if the word be ingrafted in our hearts, and dwell richly in our minds by faith, we shall have peace with God; peace in believing, peace in life, in death, and peace forever and ever. “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”