Today, you will study a passage of scripture that exemplifies true joy! We all could use a hefty dose of joy, can’t we? You will read about Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1, verses 39-51. They are two cousins sharing a beautiful bond which could only be ordained by God; both pregnant with little ones destined for great things. One baby was going to prepare the way for the other.
Mary hurried to see Elizabeth. When she arrived, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy and this young mother was filled with the Spirit. Why, you may ask? Because inside Mary’s womb is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords! The babe in Elizabeth’s womb was rejoicing over the Savior of the world.
Jesus hadn’t even been born yet, and His presence was causing a stir within another woman’s womb.
His presence causes more than a stir within an open heart. Notice how Elizabeth was filled with joy as she understood what was happening to Mary. She knew her cousin’s baby was going to be a world changer; the One who will set people free.
“Mary, God has blessed you above all women. Your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?”
Elizabeth gives you golden nuggets of truth to believe. First, she knows who is within Mary’s tummy. How could she? It is because Jesus’ presence infiltrated every part of her world, and He does the same for you. You will know deep within you that He is there. Second, Elizabeth understood that Mary is blessed because of her faith.
Mary believed what God told her.
Mary reveals a third nugget of golden truth. She listens to God, and because she listens, her life is changed in more than ways than she can imagine.
Notice how Mary responds to what is going on in her heart. “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.”
He took notice of His lowly, servant girl. He will take notice of you when you choose to believe and receive the love that is offered by God.
Notice what she believes in, what her heart has said yes to. She can’t help but openly share the inexpressible joy that is within her, the joy of knowing the Lord personally. “The Mighty One is holy. He has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things!”
Christ hasn’t even been born yet, and she proclaims such inexpressible joy over God. She knew God simply by studying Old Testament scriptures and choosing to believe that His words are true. Today, we have the scriptures as well as being able to experience God Himself in a personal way.
Mary is the first person to experience God living within a human.
Because of Christ, when you choose to believe and trust in Him, He enters into you, even more intimately than when He resided in Mary’s womb. While Jesus grew in her womb, with you, He infiltrates your very soul. The Spirit takes up residence in your heart and it affects you right down to your cells.
You are changed, from the inside out.
What more can you be thankful for? What a reason to celebrate, God not only living around man but in man!
As the holidays are fast approaching, embrace Thanksgiving. Give God all the praise for what He has done for you. Cherish Christmas. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to earth for you to find, receive and experience true love. May you receive like Mary and Elizabeth, but first you must truly believe.
Carol J German 