How can we prioritize spiritual blessings over earthly ones in our daily lives? Setting the Scene “While Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!’ ” (Luke 11:27) What Jesus’ Moment Reveals • The woman praises a good but purely physical connection—being Jesus’ mother. • Jesus immediately redirects (v. 28) to the higher blessing: hearing and obeying God’s Word. • In one sentence He shifts eyes from earthly honor to spiritual obedience. Defining the Two Kinds of Blessings • Earthly: health, possessions, relationships, reputation, comfort. • Spiritual: forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), adoption (Romans 8:15), indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), eternal inheritance (1 Peter 1:4), daily fellowship with God (John 14:23). Reasons to Prize the Spiritual First • Earthly blessings are temporary (1 John 2:17). • Spiritual blessings are already ours “in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3). • Where our treasure is, our heart follows (Matthew 6:19-21). Practical Ways to Choose the Higher Blessing 1. Start the day in the Word. – Read, meditate, and ask, “How will I obey this today?” 2. Tithe time as well as money. – Schedule ministry, worship, and family discipleship before leisure. 3. Filter decisions through eternal value. – Job changes, purchases, entertainment: Will this grow Christ-likeness? 4. Speak the language of gratitude for spiritual gifts. – Thank God aloud for salvation, wisdom, and His presence more than for cars and careers. 5. Celebrate obedience in others. – Praise children and friends when they choose righteousness, not merely when they win awards. Supporting Scriptures to Keep Handy • Colossians 3:1-2 — “Set your minds on things above.” • 1 Timothy 6:17 — Hope in God, “who richly provides…for our enjoyment.” • Hebrews 11:24-26 — Moses “considered reproach for the sake of Christ of greater value than the treasures of Egypt.” • Psalm 73:25-26 — “Earth has nothing I desire besides You.” A Quick Heart-Check List □ Do my prayers revolve around comfort or conformity to Christ? □ Do I measure success by faithfulness or finances? □ Do I sacrifice eternal influence for temporary applause? □ Do I treat Scripture as authoritative truth to obey today? Mary’s Own Example Even the mother Jesus seems to downplay in Luke 11:27 had earlier confessed, “I am the Lord’s servant…may it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). She modeled the very obedience Jesus calls “blessed.” Living It Out Today • Keep Luke 11:27-28 memorized; let it interrupt materialistic thoughts. • Pair every earthly pursuit with a spiritual discipline (e.g., workout + Scripture audio). • Share testimonies of spiritual breakthroughs more than promotions. Summing It Up Earthly blessings are good gifts, but they are not the highest good. Jesus, in the middle of an admiring crowd, gently but firmly lifts our eyes to the better portion—hearing and obeying God’s Word. Prioritize that, and the truest, lasting joy is already yours. |
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