On Favorites With God

…Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Luke 11:28

As Christmas marches toward us we are sentimentally mindful of Christ’s earthly mother Mary. She was certainly used of God in a unique way, but is she “more special” in the eyes of God than any other saint today? Is she a “favorite?” Did she have more access to God, more of his blessing, more of anything that is promised to us today?

Thankfully, no. In Luke 11:27, a random woman shouts to Jesus above the din of the crowd, “Your mom is so blessed to have a son like you!”

Jesus doesn’t humbly bow his head and kick at the ground with a sort of “aw, shucks” grin. He responds quickly, “Actually, those who hear and obey the Word of God are blessed!”

A similar response is found in Luke 8:20-21 when some helpful folks let him know his mother and brothers are trying to get to him to speak with him. With no hesitation Jesus states, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”

This is great news for us today. Jesus Christ is God in flesh, fully revealing and demonstrating the power and glory and character of God. As God is no respecter of persons, Jesus didn’t play favorites while on earth. The same Holy Spirit who dwelled in the disciples and gave them power to witness dwells in every believer at the moment of their new birth!

Therefore, let us pray freely, serve in holiness, and live joyfully. There are no favorites in God’s Kingdom.

-C.R.