Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) – 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 the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
“The remark about the Spirit’s filling Elizabeth is crucial, for it indicates that her remarks and emotions are directed by God. In an enticing omission, the text never tells us how Elizabeth knew Mary was expecting this child. This adds to the mystery of the event. The humility reflected here by John’s mother in feeling honored just to be in the presence of the child is expressed more fully by her son in John 3:30: ‘He must become greater; I must become less.’…Peace reigns among those who serve God as each understands his or her place in God’s plan.
“The note of joy in the passage echoes a theme already sounded by the previous events. The sense of privilege and favor at being used by God finds fresh expression here. Elizabeth knows God does not owe her such a central role, yet she is amazed at God’s involvement with her. In asking ‘Why am I so favored?’ (v. 43), she understands that she is but a humble beneficiary of God’s grace.
“We should not miss the significance of the testimony about these children that comes through this grateful mother-to-be. Three points are central: (1) Mary’s child is especially blessed, being at the center of God’s fresh activity; (2) there is amazement in being any part of these astounding events; and (3) joy and blessing come to those who believe that God does what he says.” [Bock, Darrell L.. Luke (The NIV Application Commentary) (p. 64-65). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.]
Spirit-filled expectations are magnified when we seek to be together for God’s glory and plans. When Christ is central we can expect Him to do mighty things.
Worship: “My Soul Magnifies the Lord” by Chris Tomlin – Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQLR3RlDpk
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name, magnify Jesus in our lives, and keep in step with Holy Spirit as you lead us into your plans and purposes. May Christ be at the center of all I say and do, and may He be exalted in the interactions I have with Your people. May we spur one another on to greater worship and love as we experience the grace and hope we have in You. Jesus, be glorified in our churches, in our missional groups, and in our campus ministries. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
– TR
