Knowing The Word in Luke 1:39-45

Mary Visits Elizabeth

1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Comments

Mary apparently left Nazareth and headed south to Judah without wasting any time or telling Joseph or anyone else about her encounter with Gabriel. The town in Judah was not identified, but we know Elizabeth and Zechariah were country folk, not big-city folk. We can say it was in the middle of nowhere where no one will know anything about Mary or why she was there.

The question remains, why did Mary leave with such haste? There seem to be two logical explanations. First, who would believe she has met with Gabriel and was carrying the Son of God? Only Zechariah, who has had an encounter with Gabriel, and Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant, might believe Mary. Second, Mary could be in danger in small town Nazareth, subjected to judgmental gossip. It appears God had protected her and gave her a confidante and fellow pregnant sister in her older cousin. John the Baptist was already preparing the way for Jesus.

Upon seeing and hearing her cousin Mary, baby John leapt in his mother’s womb. Fetal movement, of course, is not uncommon, but Luke tells us it is more than normal movement. The leaping is an expression of joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, experienced prophetic gifting and shared her prophecy with Mary. How did she know that Mary was pregnant with Jesus? How did she know about Gabriel’s visit? The Holy Spirit is the only explanation given. Note Elizabeth’s humility, calling Mary blessed among women. She was not envious but delighted in her cousin. Elizabeth’s recognition of Jesus is inspired. Her son, John, however, would have to wait thirty years to find out for himself exactly who Jesus was when he came to be baptized by John.

Application

There are times in our lives when we need a confidante and someone who will empathize with us. As Elizabeth was there for Mary and Mary for Elizabeth, who in your life is a trusted confidante? If you do not have one, ask God to help you find one. God will provide.

Prayer

Father God, you reign in the heavenly realms, yet your influence extends to earth and even into our very lives. You are not removed but are very much engaged with each of us. Assist us with your grace that we may look out for our neighbors, loving them as ourselves. Grant us a sacrificial love one for another that your kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.