"Blessed are the Breasts . . . "

"Blessed are the Breasts . . . "

Yes, these words, in essence, are in the Bible (Luke 11:27).  Let's look at how they are used -- and a lesson we can learn or revisit.

Jesus Christ was preaching and teaching "in a certain place".  This chapter started out with one of his disciples asking Him to "teach us to pray".  He did so by teaching what we now call "The Lord's Prayer".  He continued with other topics.  At one point, a woman shouted from the crowd.

"As he (Jesus) said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!'”  (Luke 11:27   English Standard Version)

By the way, if anyone has ever wondered, Jesus WAS breastfed.  The One who created the biological design which provides the sweetest milk on Earth, Himself tasted and was nourished by that milk.  God, as an infant, was sustained by the very thing He had created for those whom He created in His own image.  Breast milk was good enough for the God of the universe! 

But, back to the passage.  For some reason, this woman was moved by what she heard.  She responded by offering a blessing for his mother, Mary.   Perhaps she was saying something like "Your mother must be special to raise a child to become a man like you."  Perhaps it was simply a cultural expression to say "You mother would be proud of you".

Jesus' response, recorded in verse 28 is interesting:

28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” ( Luke 11:27- 28 English Standard Version).

Let's briefly look at Mary's position as Jesus' human mother.  In reality, the created had carried the Creator in her womb.  A virgin, Mary knew she was carrying a baby conceived by the Holy Spirit.  She gave birth and nursed this unique baby.  She watched this special child grow.  He always obeyed.  He never sinned.  He was wise enough at age 12 to interact with the teachers in the temple, yet submissive to the authority of His parents to leave "His Father's business" and return home with Joseph and Mary.  As far as we can tell from Scripture, He continued His submission until the appropriate time.

As Mary tenderly cared for Jesus, she may have wondered how much of her instruction to her special child actually influenced Whom He was to become.  This would be especially true if she understood He had always been, and that this God-Child, would develop into the God-Man, and that His essence was God.

When the woman listening to Jesus in this passage blessed Mary, Jesus responded with a profound truth.  While no one else could better appreciate human milk, breastfeeding, and Godly mothering than the Creator, Jesus pointed out something much more important -- and more life sustaining. 

As God incarnate, Jesus' true life essence was, and is, Divine.  It is eternal.  The book of John Chapter 1 describes Jesus as the Word.  He spoke the world into existence with His Word.  He and His Word are the source of true blessing.  He, as the living Word, became flesh (i.e. "human") for the purpose of reconciling us to God. 

Obviously, I am very supportive of breastfeeding.  It is part of my life's work to do what I can to educate women, health care professionals, and others about the health benefits for mother and baby.  It's impact on our health, the health care system, and society is enormous.  God, in His sovereignty, has raised up people from all walks of life to serve in volunteer organizations, health care professions, and on a one to one basis to "promote, support and protect" breastfeeding.  It is a necessary work.  It is a good work.

However, a verse like this puts it into perspective.  Human milk supports optimal physical growth and health.  Babies and women are blessed through breastfeeding.  Babies are also blessed by good mothering, no matter how the baby is fed. 

The Word of God supports the spiritual growth God wants for us.  The greater blessing comes from our obedience to God's Word.  Breastfeeding, along with good mothering, blesses our lives on Earth alone.  Knowing and obeying God's Word blesses our lives on Earth and for eternity in Heaven and on the New Earth.

Does this mean that, as Christians, we will always obey God because we are "good"?  The answer is "no".  As long as we are on this Earth we will be fighting the sinful desires of what Scripture calls the "flesh". (Romans 6 and 7).  Yes, God makes us "new creatures" in Christ at the time of our salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).  God, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.  God's Spirit enables us to follow Him and obey Him when we submit to that enabling.  But so many times we don't submit, and we disobey God.

The difference with Christians is that sin bothers us.  We don't like it. We are enticed to sin, but we don’t like sinning.  True believers will at some point turn back to the Father and confess that sin.  Sometimes it is immediate; sometimes it takes much longer.

Our spirits are grieved when we sin. We can go back to God in prayer and tell Him we are sorry that we sinned and ask for help in breaking that habit or tendency, or not repeating a single offense.  We are sinners by birth, but we are saved by grace alone.  We don't deserve it.  We did nothing to earn it.  It is only by God's grace, or mercy, that we have come to understand that we even needed a Savior.

Now, when we disobey God's Word, we have the privilege of knowing that when we confess it to the Lord, He assures us of His forgiveness and the sweet father-child relationship is restored.

My son, a minister, describes it like this.  In a way, Christians are like three year olds.  We are trying to do things our way, yet we are being told by our loving Father not to do some things.  Sometimes we are told TO do some things.   Both are for our own good.  When we disobey, God lets us know we did not obey, as a caring father of a three year old would do.  If we continue to rebel, loving discipline will follow.  If we go to Him with remorse and desire to "do better", He, like a good Earthly father, will assure us that He understands.  He shows us He will help us.  He confirms that He loves us.  We are assured of His forgiveness.  As we continue to grow toward spiritual maturity, we will struggle less with the “former”  things.  Our lives will begin to look more like that of His Son, Jesus.

Sometimes, God allows us to see just what we are capable of doing, and just how much we really need Him to help us not succumb to temptation.  We can even be surprised at what we might do in a certain situation.  King David would never have thought he would commit adultery and murder . . . but he did.  He tried to hide it, but God finally forced David to deal with it.  At that point, fellowship between King David and his God was restored.  Still, there were natural consequences which afflicted David the rest of his life.

Sometimes, God extends great mercy.  We learned our lesson.  We abandoned the sin and are determined to never do it again.  God may deem that the guilt and stress we suffered because of that sin is enough punishment or consequence of the action.  We can rejoice in mercy.  Our love for Him grows because we recognize that special mercy.

Sometimes, however, God must provide a discipline so great that it breaks any and all allure that sin holds for us.  Such discipline can be very painful.  Yet, even then, God is available to forgive and comfort.  He can, and often does, use that failure to accomplish His plan in our lives and in the lives of others.  He is able to use our failures and restoration to bring blessing to others and to bring glory to Himself.  This, too, can cause us to love Him more.

God knows that His way is best for us.  We receive the most blessing in life when we obey Him.   There is no guilt.  There is no stress which results from the disobedience.  There are no unwanted consequences.  On the positive side, we experience joy and even tangible blessing because of our obedience.

Finally, in heaven, there will be reward for how we served our King based on the motives for our service and obedience to Him. 

The effect of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother is lifelong.  The effect of obeying the Word of God is eternity long.

That is why Jesus told this woman "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!".