It had been six months since Gabriel first appeared to Zechariah with the news that his wife, Elizabeth, would soon bear a child. They were an elderly couple that had never been blessed with children, so, quite naturally, Zechariah was skeptical. As proof that God’s power was at work, Gabriel took away Zechariah’s ability to speak. It was not only Elizabeth who was blessed with a miracle–so was Zechariah–though we can be sure that’s not how Zechariah understood it when first he realized he had lost his voice. How often is it, that what at first seems like a disaster befalling us, actually turns out to be a blessing in the long run?
Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy was reminiscent of several reported pregnancies in later life in the Hebrew bible, harkening all the way back to Abraham and Sarah, who were in their nineties when Sarah first conceived (Gen. 21). Surely, Elizabeth would have known the Hebrew Scriptures, and perhaps had marveled that she, too, was now a member of that elite body of women who had borne souls of greatness. Further, even though he was unable to speak, Zechariah would have found ways to communicate to her his meeting with Gabriel, what was said and what happened. How in awe and wonder they both must have been!
Luke now weaves together the stories of the two women, and in that weaving we discover contrasts. We can note the contrast of the pregnancy of a woman too old to be pregnant, with the pregnancy of a young virgin–we can contrast Zechariah’s fear of the angel, with the mere puzzlement of Mary–we can contrast the elderly Zechariah’s request for proof with the acquiescence of the adolescent Mary.
We can marvel at Mary’s faith and wonder. Did Mary remember the words of the prophet, Isaiah, who wrote, “Therefore, God will give you a sign. Watch! The virgin is pregnant and shall bear a son, and will name him Immanuel–That is, God is with us.”(7:14)? Did she realize the prophet spoke of her? Did she understand the ramifications of being an unwed mother in a time and place where sex outside of marriage could mean a death sentence? What Luke writes demonstrates Mary’s excitement and exuberance, not only for her own pregnancy, but also for that of her relative, Elizabeth.
Then Mary got up and hastily traveled to the hill country, to a city in Judah; where she came to the home of Zechariah and went in and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39, 40)
We can only imagine how exciting it must have been for Mary! Just like the heroes and heroines of old, Mary had been blessed with a visit from an angel of God. And what glorious things he told her! God was pleased with her. Not only did she find favor with God–God was blessing her! Even though she was still a virgin, she soon would have a baby–but not just any baby. He would be the Son of the Most High–the Holy child of God!
She was so excited she had to tell someone. But who to tell? Who would possibly believe her? Who would know that she was telling the truth that this pregnancy was indeed a miracle of God? Of course! Who else but someone who had similarly been blessed. Indeed, was it possible that Mary’s elderly relative could herself also be pregnant?
Mary would have wanted to see for herself, if only as proof of her own blessing. So off she went into the hills, to the land of Judah, to see Elizabeth. This would not have been a short trip. She would have had to travel up to seventy miles, quite possibly on foot all the way.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby in her womb jumped. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and called back in a loud voice, saying, “Among all the women you are blessed! And blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so honored that the mother of my Savior should come to see me? See, when I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Blessed is the one who believed that those things would happen which were promised to her by God.” (Luke 1:41‑45)
Luke often bears witness to the presence, the action and the power of the Holy Spirit in human lives. Earlier, Gabriel had explained to Mary that her pregnancy would be brought about through the action of the Holy Spirit. Here, both Elizabeth and the not-yet-born John, having been filled with and informed by the Holy Spirit, realize what has happened to Mary. Notice that Elizabeth acknowledges that Mary’s child will be superior to her own son, to the extent that she refers to the baby as Savior. Even the yet unborn John leaps for joy.
Over and over, Luke uses the word blessed to describe Mary. In the original language, the word blessed means happy. Mary’s words in response highlight her own joy:
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies my Sovereign, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For God has honored the low position of God’s servant, for behold, from this time on all the world will call me blessed; for the Almighty has done great things for me, and Holy is God’s Name. (Luke 1:46‑49)
Though some scholars believe the words of this beautiful hymn came from Elizabeth, most Bible translations attribute them to Mary. It is very reminiscent of the poem prayed by Hannah, another barren woman whom God blessed late in life with the birth of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10). It has come down through the ages as the Magnificat, based on the Latin translation of the word megalynei, shown above as magnifies, which literally means enlarge. In context, it implies the greatness of God.
From the wording of the poem, Mary seems to indicate that she is very much aware of what her pregnancy means to the world and to the future…for behold, from this time on all the world will call me blessed… Yet, in spite of the great honor accorded her by God, she remains humble, acknowledging her peasant status. At the same time, she praises and acknowledges that God indeed is no respecter of worldly position or rank, but blesses those who demonstrate faith and devotion to God.
From age to age, God’s mercy is towards those who honor God. God’s strength has been manifested; God has scattered those who were proud and mighty in their own minds; God has removed rulers from their thrones, and exalted the humble. God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:50‑53)
Reading these, one can’t help but recall the words Jesus later would utter in what through the ages has come to be known as The Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the realm of heaven…blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled…(Matt. 5:3, 5, 6), evidence of the influence Mary’s teachings must have had on her Son. There are some who, upon reading these verses, would interpret the words, believing that God doesn’t like rich people or that God has it in for rulers. That’s not what it is saying. The theme is that God honors those who honor God. Wealth, power and prestige can blind people sometimes into believing that what they have comes strictly from their own hands, with no help from God. That kind of self-centered thinking often leads to attitudes of privilege, and distain for those less fortunate. It is to the arrogant, the self-serving, the self-absorbed that these verses are addressed, to serve as a wake-up call. God doesn’t countenance those kinds of attitudes, or that kind of behavior, and eventually will step in to correct it.
God has helped God’s servant, Israel, and remembered the mercy God had promised our forebears, to Abraham and Sarah and their descendants forever.” (Luke 1:54‑55)
Genesis records that God established a covenant with Abraham and Sarah and all their descendants, to be their God, (17:7), to bless them and make them a mighty nation through whom all the world would be blessed (18:18), that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky or the sand at the shore (22:17), and that the covenant would endure forever (17:7). Mary acknowledges the promises, and grants that God has been merciful to honor those God’s promises.
Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months then returned to her home. (Luke 1:56)
While Luke doesn’t indicate that Mary remained until John was born, it would have been usual for female family members to assist with a birth. Familial support would have not only been welcomed but also expected, especially when the mother was giving birth for the first time very late in life. Gabriel is recorded as having told Mary that Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Since Mary remained another three months, we may assume that she was present, and may have even assisted at John’s birth.
This ends the study for today.
Life Application