Luke 1:57-58
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

Elizabeth gave birth to a son, just as the angel had said (1:13). From the wording of this verse, it seems probable no one had known about Elizabeth’s pregnancy. So when the neighbors and relatives heard the Lord had shown His great mercy to her, they rejoiced.

News that Elizabeth, an old woman who had been childless all her life, had given birth would have astounded everyone. They would have considered this God’s mercy on her because children were considered to be blessings from the Lord. In her old age, God had taken away Elizabeth’s barrenness and had given her a son. This was cause for great rejoicing.

“Mercy”
It seems like such an old word; an old quality, as well. Like a store owner handing a crying kid a piece of counter candy; before the strip-mall era. Or like a doctor taking time to talk to a patient; before the new health care era.

Today, efficiency is the keynote, mercy the forgotten quality.

But where God is worshiped and honored, mercy may still be found; in the close call that could have been tragic, in the phone call that lifted your spirit, or as for Elizabeth here, in the fulfillment of a dream.

Look around today for moments of God’s mercy to you.

Surprise someone with this quality which has been all but forgotten in the rush to get more done.

Luke 1:56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Because travel was not easy, long visits were customary. So Mary must have stayed almost until the day of John’s birth.

Mary must have been a great help to Elizabeth, who was experiencing the discomforts of being pregnant in her old age. In addition, Elizabeth certainly helped Mary.

During these three months, Mary surely discussed with Elizabeth how to handle what would be an extremely difficult social predicament. She would have to return home and explain her pregnancy to her family and her fiancé.

Hopefully, when Mary went back to her own home, she was even more strengthened in her faith by Elizabeth’s faith (1:6), ready to face all the future would hold.

It was wise for Mary, in her condition, not to remain any longer with Elizabeth. Had she stayed any longer, Elizabeth’s house would have been crowded with neighbors, etc., people who did not always use discretion in their talk. Who knows what they might have said about Mary, or what they might have thought about her!

Besides, a disagreeable confrontation between Mary and some of Elizabeth’s neighbors might not have been pleasant for Elizabeth either.

Mary’s time with Elizabeth was good for both of the women.

Is there someone in your life you can encourage?

Luke 1:54
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

Up to this point Mary has been praising God in song for His actions. Now, in this closing stanza, she points out, still in song, what these deeds mean in relation to Israel and the promises made to the forefathers.

“He has helped his servant Israel.” This had happened again and again in the past. The Old Testament records many, many instances in which God had taken sides with Israel against its enemies.

The words “He has helped his servant Israel.” are in the same verb tense as the previous verses; this is a future event so certain it is mentioned in the past tense. It absolutely will happen!

This “help” for Israel is the Messiah, who will come according to the promise (God) made to our ancestors.

God kept his promise to Abraham to be merciful to God’s people forever (Genesis 22:16-18).

Jesus’ birth fulfilled the promise, and Mary understood this as the Spirit revealed it to her.

What Mary was saying was something along this line: Just as in the past God has so often helped Israel when she was in distress, so He is helping us now. He is sending the promised One to Israel!

The statement “Even as he said to (promised) our fathers” takes us back in thought to Abraham. To him God had said, “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

That this blessing to Abraham remained in force for Isaac is clear from Gen. 26:3, 4, where not only the same message is repeated but it is even distinctly stated, “I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.” In the time of Isaac’s son Jacob this same covenant promise is still in effect (Gen. 28:14). It is even called a covenant “with Abraham and with Isaac and with Jacob” (Exod. 2:24). “I will be your God” holds, in fact, for Israel, viewed as God’s covenant people (cf. Gen. 17:7 with Lev. 11:45; 26:12, 45).

This song clearly shows Mary saw what was happening as a realization of the ancient promise to Abraham.

God always keeps His promises!

He will keep them in our lives as well!

Luke 1:48
From now on all generations will call me blessed.

When Mary said, “From now on all generations will call me blessed,” was she being proud? Mary does not say all generations are going to consider her a mediatrix, and as such a legitimate object of veneration. She was not thinking of the concept of the Virgin Mary as holiest of creatures. What she means is all generations are going to praise God because of the marvelous manner in which He has blessed her.

No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her.

If Mary had denied her privileged position, she would have been throwing God’s blessing back at Him.

Pride is refusing to accept God’s gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God.

Don’t deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts.

Thank God for them and use them to His glory.

Luke 1:51-53
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

The arm of God is used in the Old Testament to describe God’s strength and power. Mary pictured God’s strength being revealed to the sinful world as He scatters the proud, brings down the powerful, and sends the rich away empty. By contrast, God’s power shows in His mercy lifting up the lowly and filling the hungry with good things.

The tense of these verbs indicates Mary was speaking prophetically of these events which were so certain to occur they could be spoken of as having already happened.

Mary’s song shows what is seen is not all it seems.

God Himself would come to earth and face rejection by the proud, the powerful, and the rich. He would lift the lowly and fill the hungry.

God continues to do that today. God is mighty and merciful, ruthless against pride and injustice but sensitive to individual needs.

God knows humanity’s sinful, stubborn nature, and He sent His Son to redeem sinful human beings.

Mary exhibited a large vision of God, a sense of God’s grand purpose, and the heart of God for oppressed people.

This message of salvation continues throughout Luke’s Gospel, but takes on a different sense than what all of Israel was expecting. Instead of salvation bringing deliverance from Roman oppression, Jesus’ salvation brings deliverance from the oppressions of sin, sickness, and materialism; all of which are greater enemies to humanity’s soul than a foreign political power.

God takes the world’s values and expectations and turns them upside down.

How does this message relate to today’s world with all of its political strife?

Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me– holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

This song is often called the “Magnificat,” the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Mary’s song has often been used as the basis for choral music and hymns. Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary glorified God in song for what He was going to do for the world through her. Notice that in both songs, God is pictured as a champion of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised.

Mary focused on God’s power, holiness, and mercy.
* His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
* He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
* He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
* He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
* He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

Her insight into God’s character formed the basis for her confidence in Him. Her words echo the Old Testament:
* For God as “the Mighty One,” see Genesis 49:24; Joshua 22:22; Psalm
50:1; 132:2, 5; Isaiah 1:24; 9:6; 49:26; 60:16; Zephaniah 3:17.
* For God as “holy,” see Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:26; 21:8; Joshua 24:19; Psalm 89:18; 99:3; 111:9; Isaiah 5:16.
* For God doing many “great things” for Israel, see Deuteronomy 11:7; Judges 2:7; Job 37:5; Psalm 71:19; 126:2-3; Joel 2:20-21.                                            * For God’s “mercy,” see Exodus 33:19; 1 Chronicles 21:13; Psalm 25:6; 103:17; Isaiah 55:7; Micah 7:18.

What songs are you most likely to be caught singing in the shower?

If you had the skill and opportunity, how would you tell the world about a life-changing experience; write a poem, sing a song, publish a novel, or make a movie?

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.

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!”

Christians are urged to be filled with the Spirit as part of normal growth in the Lord, but the filling Elizabeth experienced was different, spontaneous, and entirely God-given. This filling captured her emotions with a God-centered joy and created an excited sense of God’s loving purpose in her life.

This filling makes you want to sing, pray, shout, and dance.

When God moves your heart this way, let it show.

Mary had not told Elizabeth anything of the events which had occurred in Nazareth. Elizabeth spoke words given to her by the Holy Spirit as she recognized Mary’s blessed condition. Mary had been chosen by God much as Elizabeth had.

As Mary had rushed off to visit her relative, she must have been wondering whether the events of the last few days were real. Elizabeth’s greeting would have strengthened her faith. Her pregnancy may have seemed impossible, but her older 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 this child was blessed, God’s Son, the promised Messiah. Only the Holy Spirit could have revealed this to Elizabeth! Under inspiration of the Spirit, Elizabeth interpreted the movement in her womb as the child’s joy at hearing Mary’s greeting.

Even though she herself was pregnant with a long-awaited son, Elizabeth could have envied Mary, whose son would be even greater than her own. Instead she was filled with joy that the mother of her Lord would visit her. Elizabeth repeated that Mary was blessed because she believed what God had said to her would be accomplished.

Mary and Elizabeth were remarkable women, chosen and blessed by God!

They were both blessed by God and were able to rejoice together.

Luke 1:39-45
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 went to visit her relative Elizabeth shows these two had probably become acquainted at an earlier date. They may have been in each other’s company for a while in connection with one or more of the great religious festivals. Mary probably felt she needed to talk to someone who would understand.

So Mary left Nazareth and hurried to the hill country of Judea. The town where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived is not named by Luke, but the traditional birthplace of John is En Karim, about five miles west of Jerusalem. She was probably able to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem with a group of people making the trip.

The visit from Mary no doubt came as a surprise, but the Holy Spirit made Elizabeth suddenly aware of both Mary’s pregnancy and the identity of Mary’s baby. The wonderful interaction of these two women, one very old, the other very young, before their children were born is a wonderful picture of God’s grace given to His servants.

They needed each other! Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. They must have talked, wondering, over-joyed and surprised at what God was doing in their lives and what He was planning for their very special children.

We do need each other!

We educate, strengthen and encourage each other.

Luke 1:39-45
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!”

Mary is the type of woman who puts her faith into action. She not only says, “Lord, your will be done,” but she also “hurries” to see God at work in the life of her relative Elizabeth. The journey to Judea which Mary undertook was not a simple drive to the next town; it was a difficult journey which must have taken at least three days at that time.

Mary did not let that stop her from going to Elizabeth, rejoicing with her, and praising the Lord for fulfilling His promises. In his description of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, Luke continued to highlight the superiority of Jesus over John.

Even in the womb, John leaped for joy, for he was already pointing to the Messiah, God’s Anointed One; to Jesus.

Elizabeth’s and Mary’s response to all of these amazing events was a song of praise for God’s mercy.

They were praising God for showing mercy to His people.

We can also thank God for the spiritual ancestors in our specific lives.

One of our readers wrote:
God’s faithful need those who get it- who get God’s faithfulness, miraculous abilities and challenges that come with trusting in God.
God gave Mary and Elizabeth to each other. They get God and they get each other.
What wonderful stories they can tell! What wonderful support they can offer to each other.
Rick Rooks