You are blessed above all women. Why?

The most recognized name in the Nativity story, other than Jesus himself, is likely his mother, Mary. She is the subject of wonder, amazement, discussion, and debate. I'm sure if we were to take a poll of the general public and ask, "Name one character from the Christmas story other than Jesus," Mary's name would be near the top (or battling for top spot with Santa...)

When the newly pregnant Mary goes to visit her very pregnant cousin Elizabeth, Luke records that upon Mary's arrival, "Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women...'" (Luke 1:42).

So here is the crucial question: why was Mary blessed? What is the cause of her blessing?

We often think Mary’s physical motherhood of Jesus was the cause of her blessing. We think that God blessed her above all women because she was pregnant with the Messiah.

Incorrect. Mary's physical motherhood was not the cause of her blessing - it was the blessing. In other words, her pregnancy with the Messiah was the result of her being blessed, not the cause.

So back to our question: why was Mary blessed? If her pregnancy was the result of the blessing, what was the cause? To answer that question, we have to skip down a few verses to Luke 1:45, when Elizabeth says, "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

Wait, what?

Mary is blessed not because she was pregnant with Jesus, but because she heard the word of the Lord, believed it, and obeyed it.

It's not uncommon to think Mary is blessed because she bore the Christ. That is what others thought as well, even in her own time.

Luke 11:27-28: some anonymous woman cries out to Jesus, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” Jesus reply? “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” That’s Mary. That's why she was blessed. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

None of us can give physical birth to the Christ, but all of us can hear the word of God and obey it, and in that sense all of us can receive blessing, like Mary.

Luke 8:19-21: the crowd says to Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are here to see you.” Jesus reply? “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” That’s Mary. That's why she was blessed. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

None of us can give physical birth to Jesus, but all of us can hear the word of God and put it into practice, and in that sense all of us can receive blessing, like Mary.

PAUSE and REFLECT: Where is God speaking to you in your life? What is he saying to you through his word and in your prayerful conversations with him?

Ask yourself three questions:

Am I hearing him?
Do I believe him?
Am I putting into practice / obeying what I hear?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then according to the story of Mary and the words of her cousin Elizabeth, God blesses you.

So take some time this week to listen to and obey Jesus, especially in the areas of life he is highlighting to you. When we do this, we follow in the footsteps of Mary, and show ourselves to be family-members with her.