Surprise pregnancy

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." (Luke 11:27)

For a Jewish woman, her salvation came through her children. A barren woman was shamed, sometimes mocked by others (remember Hannah or Rachel?), always empty and unfulfilled. One of the motifs of the Old Testament is that of a barren woman giving birth miraculously to a child important in God’s plan. From Sarah bearing Isaac at an elderly age to Hannah bearing Samuel, the message was clear. God could transform barrenness into great joy with the birth of a child who would carry his plan forward.

The pattern continued into Luke’s gospel, when Elizabeth gave birth to John after many years of barrenness. And even Mary was, in a sense, barren as a virgin. She wouldn’t have given birth to Jesus without divine intervention.

So that’s the backdrop for this short interchange in Luke 11.

This woman from the crowd was telling Jesus, your teachings are so wonderful that you bring extra honor to your mother!

She recalled the honor that bearing children brought to Jewish women. And not only was Jesus’ mother, Mary, honored by having a son, but now she was honored even more by Jesus’ wisdom.

Jesus embraced the concept. Yes, he said, the birth of a child is a blessing. But not just for my mother.

He described the completion of the barrenness motif. The child has come. The shame is gone for all who recognize it.

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28)

Blessed rather. This blessing, which comes from the miraculous birth of a child, was not just for Mary. This blessing is for those who hear the word of God and obey.

Before Jesus came, we were all barren. We were mocked and shamed. The agony of Sarah’s empty womb was ours. The grief of Rachel’s unfilled arms was ours. But now there’s hope. How do we end the emptiness? How do we fill our house and our heart? (Read Luke 11:17-26) When we hear the word of God and obey it, we rejoice in the pregnancy that swells a barren woman.

We are no longer barren but filled.