pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Elizabeth


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We Are All Called

Reading: Luke 1:42-55

Luke 1:52 – “He [God] has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.”

Photo credit: Fuu J

Our passage today begins as Elizabeth welcomes Mary into her home. She “blurted out” a greeting, so moved was she by what is stirring inside of her. Moved by the child she carries and by the Spirit, Elizabeth celebrates God’s blessings upon Mary. She ponders aloud why she is honored to be visited by the one carrying the Lord in her womb. Elizabeth rejoices that Mary said “yes” to God’s invitation to bear the Savior of the world.

In verses 46-55 we find what is often called the “Magnificat.” This Latin word translates “magnify” and that is what Mary does in her praise song to God. Mary rejoices over finding God’s favor, in being lifted from low to high. She also rejoices in the opposite reality that is also part of God’s upside-down kingdom, singing, “He [God] has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” As Mary continues she notes that the hungry are filled and the rich are left empty-handed. With eyes of faith Mary sees that through this unfolding, miraculous birth story, God is coming to Israel, just as promised in the covenants of old.

Both Elizabeth and Mary represent people who heard and felt God’s call upon their lives. Both willingly stepped forward in faith, humbly offering their lives to bring God the glory. While we may not receive an angelic visit (or we might,) God still clearly speaks by the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit. We are all called, in one way or another, to humbly offer our lives for God’s glory. May it be so when we’re called.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us deeper into our daily walk with you. Open our souls and our spirits to your story of faith that has been unfolding down through the generations. Engaged in the story, give us a willing heart to step into the story as you call us forward. Enable us to hear the calls and empower us to say “yes.” In all things may our lives bring you the glory and the praise. Amen.


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Sure and Steady

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Verse 38: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

In today’s Luke passage we receive the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. Our text is proceeding with the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. Through these angelic visits the lives of Elizabeth and Mary are intertwined, as are the lives of their sons. Continuing on in the text after today’s passage, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

As we begin in the text for today the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. He tells Mary that she is “highly favored” by God and that God is with her. This is no random visit. Mary is troubled. And probably a bit afraid too as Gabriel next says, “Do not be afraid.” I wonder how I would feel if an angel of the Lord appeared to me. Would I be afraid too? Or would I be filled with joy and excitement over what was about to happen? How about you?

Gabriel explains much of what will happen. It is not “might” but “will.” Huge difference here. Mary will be with child – a child conceived by the Holy Spirit – and she will give birth to Jesus – the Son of God. To perhaps add assurance, maybe to let her know she’s not alone in all of this, Gabriel shares that Elizabeth is pregnant. Old and barren, now with child: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary’s response is sure and steady: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary’s response comes from a place of deep trust and faith in God. Indeed, God knew exactly who Gabriel was being sent to. So if God sends an angel – or the Holy Spirit – to you or to me, may we too respond surely and steadily. God knows exactly who we are.

Prayer: Lord God, I am humbled and amazed by Mary’s response. Her faith and trust in you are awesome. When you call, may I answer as she did. Amen.


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From the Margins, to the Margins

Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Verses 47-48: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has been mindful of the humble state of God’s servant.”

Mary’s Song is a beautiful song lifted up to her God. It is an outpouring of faith and emotion. She begins by glorifying and praising God because God has “been mindful of the humble state of God’s servant.” In these words we see the spirit shared by Mary and Elizabeth. Both women are totally humbled by God choosing them to play such important roles in the birth and life and ministry of the Messiah.

Mary’s Song speaks of God’s preference for the poor and marginalized. Mary is one of these. She is a young girl, pregnant and not yet married. Her song is personal in this sense. Elizabeth too was from the margins. She was barren. Old and without any children to care for her, she existed on the edges of society. Mary and Elizabeth were two of the unlikeliest choices possible. I wonder what each thought as they stated at each other while this beautiful song poured out, amazed at what God was doing. What a blessing for these two women!

Within Mary’s Song we also find evidence of the divide between folks like Mary and Elizabeth and the folks who were rich and powerful. Mary sings of God “scattering” the proud and of God bringing down rulers from their thrones. Mary has a deep sense of who and what God is, and by nature, of who and what her son will be. In God’s choosing one from the margins, Mary knows that God is a God of the margins. In his ministry, Jesus will very much reflect God’s preference for the poor and needy, for the marginalized and the outcast, for the hurting and broken, for the powerless and the sinful. With Mary’s humble spirit and deep faith in God may we go forth to do the same, loving those most in need of God’s presence.

Prayer: God, turn my heart to what matters to your heart. Lead me away from the cares and concerns of the world, away from greed and pride and power. Lead me to love those who matter to you. Amen.


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Yes

Reading: Luke 1: 39-45

Verse 45: “Blessed is she [or he] who has believed that what the Lord has said to her [or him] will be accomplished.”

Today we walk with Mary, Elizabeth, and God. Both women have been chosen to give birth to babies that will change the world. Elizabeth, about six months ahead of Mary in her pregnancy, will give birth to the one who will prepare the way for the Messiah. Mary will give birth to the Messiah. The common way to approach them is to see Elizabeth as the one who was barren and to see Mary as the one involved in the virgin birth. These are parts of each’s story. These are amazing things that God did.

The women are amazing too. They said “yes” when God invited them to be a part of this world changing plan. Either or both could have fought it all the way. Imagine being 50 or 60 or older and receiving news that you were having a baby. Imagine being 12 or 13, unwed but at least engaged, and receiving news that you were having a baby. Would your reaction to this God news be the same as their reactions? They said “yes” and began to live into this plan to change the world.

When has God whispered a thought, a plan, a mission, a vision to you or I that was much less significant than Mary and Elizabeth’s and you and I did not say “yes”? Is your answer “often” too? These two women did not have training or experience with this sort of thing. There was not too much that was extraordinary about these two women. Except their faith in God. Their trust and belief was deep enough that they said “yes” when God came around. And look what happened. Both spoke prophetic words as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Both were a part of changing the world.

Part of Elizabeth’s words were these: “Blessed is she [or he] who has believed that what the Lord has said to her [or him] will be accomplished.” Yes, she is speaking of Mary here. She is also speaking about herself. Both women are blessed by saying “yes” and walking faithfully forward with God. God would like to whisper these same words over our lives. A “yes” might not change the world, but it might. It would at least change two lives. In those times when you or I have said “yes” to that whisper or nudge, have we not been blessed by being a part of God’s plan? With that truth in mind, may we go forth today with a willing spirit and a servant’s heart.

Prayer: Lord God, make me more of a “yes” person. Draw me deeper into you so that I become a more willing partner. Lead me to step out more boldly and faithfully when you call. Amen.


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The Lord’s Servant

Reading: Luke 1: 26-38

Verse 38: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said”.

As Gabriel appears to Mary he tells her that she is “highly favored”. The creator of the universe, the author of all life, the one true God looks upon Mary and covers her in grace and blessing. Because of this Gabriel says, “The Lord is with you”. This is both a present and a future promise of God’s presence with Mary. All of this is awesome news for Mary. But they are unusual words to Mary and she is troubled, wondering about what all of this means.

Gabriel explains that God’s favor means that she has been selected to bear a very special child who will be “the Son of the Most High”. This child of God will be given the throne of David and will reign forever. The long awaited one will be born of the Spirit and of the flesh. This is a lot to take in, to wrap her head and heart around. To provide time and space for all of this to sink in and process Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth, although barren and well past child bearing years, is also with child. As a relative, Mary would have known of Elizabeth’s disgrace over not being able to have a child. Gabriel closes his side of the conversation with these words: “For nothing is impossible with God”.

Mary responds with humility and understanding. She responds. Mary says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said”. Mary has found favor with God and accepts what God has to offer. She is willing to be a part of God’s plan. She steps forward in faith. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord, you continue to speak through your word and through the Holy Spirit. You continue to pour out favor upon your people and to call them into service. May I respond as Mary did: humbly and faithfully. Amen.


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Mary

Reading: Luke 1: 46-55

Verse 46: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”.

Shortly after Mary received the news that she will carry the Holy One in her womb, she has gone to see Elizabeth, her cousin.  The angel told Mary that Elizabeth was also with child.  So Mary goes to see this thing for herself – old and barren Elizabeth with child.  Mary also goes because perhaps she senses that Elizabeth is someone she can share her news with as well.  After all, Mary’s news is not exactly news that she could go tell all her friends about.  When Mary and Elizabeth greet each other, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps at the sound of Mary’s voice and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Elizabeth knows that Mary has been blessed and she herself feels blessed at being in the presence of the unborn Lord.  She also recognizes Mary’s faith, saying, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished”.

There is a deep understanding in these two women that God is at work in them and is about to accomplish the impossible in both of them.  It is from this place of understanding that Mary spontaneously offers her song.  It is a beautiful telling of both God’s deeds with and for Israel and of God’s work in her in particular.  Weaving these two together shows Mary’s understanding of how closely connected these two are – Israel and the birth of he child.  She begins by exclaiming, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”.  Mary is joyful and exuberantly praises what God is doing in her.  Mary also recognizes the forever impact of what is happening, saying, “All generations will call me blessed”.  She is aware of what is happening and speaks with a wisdom and insight well beyond her years.  The Spirit is indeed at work in Mary.

The same Spirit desires to be at work in each of us.  The same God is capable of doing great and amazing things in and through us as well.  May we be as joyful and faithful as Mary when the Lord begins a good work in us!


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Trust

In our passage today Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is much older and is yet also with child.  The angel Gabriel had told Mary of this and maybe she took it as a hint to go see Elizabeth.  But maybe Mary’s head was swimming with the angels’ visit and time away seemed like a good idea.  Mary finds herself in an uncomfortable place – a young, unwed, pregnant teenager.  But as is always the case when one listens to God, He guides Mary to just where she needs to be so that she can hear just the words that she needs to hear.

In Elizabeth, Mary is seeking an older, wiser woman who is also amazingly pregnant.  After years and years of waiting and shame, Elizabeth is now with child.  As a family member, Mary surely knew of Elizabeth’s struggles to have a child.  So Mary would know how amazing Elizabeth’s preganacy was as well.  Once Mary arrives, God wastes no time in showing the connection between these two babies – John and Jesus – and in prompting Elizabeth to pour out her Spirit-given words of blessing upon both Mary and the baby she carries.

Can you see yourself in this story?  Are you like Mary – inexperienced, unsure, needing the presence of one who may have some wisdom to share?  Or are you like Elizabeth – one who has some experience and knowledge and is willing to pour into the life of another?  Mary and Elizabeth give us a great example of Christian fellowship and support.  Their witness in trusing in the voice of God, whether through an angel or the Holy Spirit, is also one we should follow.  May we be willing to seek another when led to, to offer of ourselves when God presents an opportunity, and to trust that God will be present to guide and lead the encounter.

Scripture reference: Luke 1: 39-45