Luke 1:39-42
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

The fact Mary “believed” is really quite remarkable.

Her pregnancy was unprecedented. Her pregnancy was controversial, not established by a long tradition in a particular supportive community. Her pregnancy needed to be a virtual secret; if she told everyone all that had actually occurred, they would have put her away as being crazy.

The fact she was asked to believe required very great trust, discernment, and patience. But as Gabriel told Mary, “The Lord is with you” (1:28). Mary believed those words and it made all the difference.

Mother of My Lord
The veneration of Mary has been characteristic of Roman Catholic worship since the seventh century and a major dividing line with Protestants, who regard such veneration as the same as to making Mary the Savior.

Many stereotypes and caricatures have created misunderstandings and made genuine discussion difficult.

Catholics are bewildered at Protestants’ cold shoulder to such a biblical character. Protestants see Jesus’ role threatened when Mary is idolized.

The Bible is clear here. Jesus is the Savior, and no one else!

Mary is the blessed mother of Jesus; she is not co-redeemer!

With Elizabeth, believers can rejoice for God’s work in Mary’s life.

With Elizabeth and Mary, believers can praise God for the salvation won by Jesus’ death and guaranteed by His resurrection.