Mary, Jesus’ mother, visits Elizabeth
Mary, Jesus’ mother, visits Elizabeth
Luke 1: 39-40 “A few days later marry hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.” NIV Bible
Extra Reading: Luke 1: 39-56
Mary and Elizabeth were related (Luke 1:36). Perhaps Mary felt the need to take her news to someone who would understand. She did not hesitate to leave for Nazareth and “hurried to the hill country of Judea,” although the town where Zechariah lived is unkown. The trip from Nazareth to the hill country was probably 70 kilometres, a major trip for a young woman alone and on foot. There were no buses, taxis, or horse carts in those days. From verse 41 we learn that “when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” You will recall that Gabriel had told Mary of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:36), which, at this time, was in its sixth month. Mary’s visit was a surprise, but the Holy Spirit made Elizabeth suddenly aware of both Mary’s pregnancy and the identity of Mary’s baby. The beautiful connectedness of the lives of Elizabeth and Mary before their children were born is a touching picture of God’s grace upon his servants. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months (Luke 1:56). I believe they talked and laughed a lot, wondering at what God was doing in their lives and what he was planning for their very special children.
Verses 42-45 indicate to us that Elizabeth had not even yet been told that Mary was pregnant. Elizabeth spoke words given to her by the Spirit (Luke 1:41) as she recognised Mary’s blessed state, knowing that Mary was “blessed” because she had been specially chosen by God, much as Elizabeth had. As Mary rushed off to visit her relative, she must have been wondering whether the events of the last few days were real. Elizabeth’s greeting surely strengthened her faith. Mary’s pregnancy may have seemed impossible, but her wise relative believed in the Lord’s faithfulness and rejoiced in Mary’s blessed condition. The Spirit also showed Elizabeth the identity of Mary’s child, for she knew that this child was blessed-God’s Son, the promised Messiah, with a unique identity and role to fulfill. Mary would be the mother of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit could have revealed this to Elizabeth. Mary and Elizabeth were the first people on earth to see God’s hand moving to fulfill hundreds of years of promises.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth interpreted the movement in her womb as the child’s joy at hearing Mary’s greeting. Mary is one woman who puts her faith into action. The Jesus she was carrying in her womb was superior to John. Mary’s response through a song of praise for God’s mercy, models the way all believers should respond to God’s work in their lives: with gratitude and praise. After Gabriel told her, “The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28), Mary believed that and it made all the difference. Mary’s song breaks all the stereotypes of her as young, self-absorbed mother, too naïve to know about the political climate around her and too centred on her pregnancy to care. She was revolutionary for her time. What a woman of faith!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to accept what you do in our lives and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
Rev. Samuel N. Modise 
