Day 5: Confirmation of God’s blessing

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:39-45, 56 (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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Mary may have been filled with doubt that her baby was something special. What would she have been thinking, knowing an angel had visited her and told her she would give birth to the Messiah? By the time she was showing, she would have gone through morning sickness. Were there questions in her mind as to her pregnancy, while not having slept yet with Joseph, her husband? So she went off to visit her relative, Elizabeth.

It must have been a great confirmation to Mary’s ears to hear Elizabeth’s greeting. There were no e-mails, letters, or telephone in those days. Mary’s visit seemed to be a complete surprise to Elizabeth. Giving a blessing to someone was highly regarded in the Jewish culture. Elizabeth let Mary know that she was, indeed, special and that her child was different. Because Zechariah was mute (Luke 1:11-15) for the duration of his wife’s pregnancy, it is unknown as to whether Elizabeth knew she was carrying a great prophet in her womb. But she knew Mary’s child was special. John’s kicking in her womb let her know. Elizabeth called her young relative “the mother of my Lord.” Elizabeth did not envy Mary.

There was also practicality to the visit. Elizabeth was getting on in years and her first pregnancy may have been difficult. Mary would have been a great help to her. Elizabeth surely would have shared more prophecy with her young relative. Mary possibly was feeling doubt as to the validity of her pregnancy, the visit from an angel, etc. It would have been early in Mary’s pregnancy, for it seems she walked both ways, and it was several days journey. Long visits were customary for long-distance relationships. Today, you could hop in the car and be there in an hour, but in those days it would not have been practical for an overnight visit.

I also can’t help but think that some of this was God’s doing, protecting Mary’s image in her hometown of Nazareth. Later, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were sent by God to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s murderous ways. This visit would give her time away from gossip. Neighbors wouldn’t be as apt to talk about her while she was away, although it is unknown whether anyone outside Mary and Joseph and Zechariah and Elizabeth knew of the coming child. Is that part of the reason for the Census, which took Mary and Joseph to the distant town of Bethlehem from Nazareth (some 96 miles on a donkey)? God is also our protector in times of need. We don’t always understand God’s sovereignty, but we must trust that He has a plan for us, especially during trying times.

Did you know: The song says, "On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 5 Golden Rings ..." which signifies the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch," giving the history of man's fall from grace.

For a link to view “Mary Did You Know,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdyj5F6oqGs&feature=related