Third Sunday in Lent
“As he 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!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” (Luke 11:27-28)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What does it mean to “keep” God’s Word? Indeed, there is some element of observing or obeying it. God knows what is actually good and bad for us, so when we follow God’s Word, things go better for us. Things usually go better when we obey our parents than when we disobey them. If you can keep from stealing, you won’t have as many troubles with the law. If you lead a chaste and decent life, your marriage will likely be smoother. If you can go without coveting, you’ll be happier. Being content and happy with what God has given us is a blessing!
But that’s not all that it means to “keep” God’s Word. Keeping it also involves guarding it and treasuring it. We guard and treasure things that are important to us. You don’t want to lose your house keys or your wallet, so you keep them in a spot where you won’t forget them as easily. You don’t want to lose your passwords, so you choose something you can remember. You only have a certain number of hours in a day, so you guard your time to ensure you can accomplish what you would like to get done.
In the same way, Jesus instructs us to guard God’s Word. We should treasure it. We should place it in areas where we won’t forget about it, such as near our beds or on the home screens of our phones. We should learn it by heart so that it’s with us wherever we go. We should make sure to keep certain times of our day and week free for it, such as Sunday mornings for the Divine Service, a weekly time for Bible Study, and a daily time for devotions.
Are we blessed because we do these things? Well, yes and no. We aren’t blessed because we have somehow proved to God how faithful we are; We are blessed because that Word that we treasure is full of the promises of Jesus for you. That Word IS Jesus.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
