VISIT OF MARY TO ELIZABETH.
Luke 1:39-57.
The angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that her hitherto barren cousin Elizabeth was pregnant, because ‘with God, nothing is impossible’ (cf. Luke 1:37). Mary's reaction to this news was to leave Nazareth, and to go into the hill country to the city of Judah where her cousin was residing (Luke 1:39). Mary, as we know, also had some news of her own for Elizabeth – but how would she explain it to the older woman?
When Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, two things happened: the babe in her womb leapt - (“leapt for joy,” she later tells in Luke 1:44) - and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied (Luke 1:41-42).
The words of Elizabeth's welcome confirmed that there was no need for Mary to explain her own pregnancy.
Elizabeth spoke out in a loud voice (Luke 1:42). When we have something to say, we need to say it. You have good news? Spread it. You have enlightenment? Don't hide your light under the bed. You have heard a joyful sound? Be swift to share it with others. We need not mumble truths that are at once wonderful, and relevant.
Elizabeth's words, of course, are well known. She called Mary “blessed” (Luke 1:42). Whatever did she mean?
There are different kinds of blessing. Paul says in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” There is one kind of blessing whereby God has blessed us, which adds something to us, and another kind of blessing whereby we “bless” God in return. We are returning thanks, but we add nothing to Him.
The younger woman is called “blessed” by Elizabeth because Mary was carrying a blessed fruit in her womb (Luke 1:43). Mary is the human mother of the incarnate Lord. Only in this sense is she the “mother of God.”
Mary was bearing the source of all blessings within her. He who is the eternal Lord became man in the Person of Jesus, and Mary was blessed to bear Him. The man of God's right hand continues hereafter as both God and man in one Person forever, able to “lay His hand upon both” (cf. Job 9:32-33).
In her unique situation, Mary had already been pronounced ‘blessed among women’ by Gabriel (cf. Luke 1:28). However Mary's blessedness, as ours, resides in personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:45). There is a blessedness shared in common with all believers, but the form that our blessings take will differ from person to person. All our blessings are equally a free gift of God's grace.
How do we know that we have God's blessing? How do we prove our faith? For Mary, if she needed any proof, there was the fulfilment of the things which had been promised to her (Luke 1:45).
Mary immediately turned the focus away from herself to the Lord (Luke 1:46-47). This anticipates John the Baptist, who always pointed away from himself to Jesus (cf. John 3:30). We should follow this example: we should glorify the Lord in our “soul” with our understanding, will, emotions and desires; whilst in the “spirit” of the new man we rejoice in God.
Far from exalting herself, Mary confessed her lowliness, and recognised that she was nothing without the blessing of God (Luke 1:48). This is the stance of the Christian: we are nothing, and can do nothing without Jesus (cf. John 15:5). However, with God, nothing is impossible to us (cf. Matthew 17:20; Luke 1:37).
Mary accepted the work of God within her, and acknowledged His holiness (Luke 1:49). Gratitude plays a big part in all true Christian prayer. We must count our blessings, and be thankful (cf. Lamentations 3:22-23).
Mary contrasted the plight of the wicked with the blessedness of God’s people (Luke 1:51-53). Those who satiate themselves with the things of this world are sent away with nothing but woe (Luke 1:53; cf. Luke 6:24-25). Those who yearn after the things of God receive the blessing (cf. Matthew 5:6).
Mary remembered the covenant mercy of God (Luke 1:50; Luke 1:54-55; cf. Exodus 20:6). God’s mercy extends to generations of those who reverence Him. Through the One who was conceived within her the promise that Abraham would be a blessing to the nations was about to be fulfilled (cf. Genesis 12:1-3).
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, and then returned to her own house (Luke 1:56). Elizabeth’s full time came, and she bare a son (Luke 1:57).
Where do we find our own blessedness? Not in Mary, blessed as she is; but in the fruit of her womb, Jesus (Luke 1:42).
