The same principle applies on a different level. Even the church has made its concessions to the womens liberation movement. When Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth of Messiah through Mary to this young16 peasant girl, he informed her of Elizabeths pregnancy, indicating that this was a sign of Gods ability to achieve the impossible (Luke 1:36-37). 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me? (8) Marys theology, as reflected in her Magnificat is vastly superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees, who would become the arch enemies of our Lord. The narrative of Johns circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. While me cannot say that every miraculous life began with a miraculous birth, I think it is safe to say that every miraculous birth resulted in a miraculous life and ministry. When one thinks of the women of the ancient world, our first emotional response is usually pity. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Matthew 23). (2) Mary is a model disciple in the depth of her familiarity with the word of God. 3 He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a spare tunic. Yet the worship of both of these women is such that they are models for all true disciples of our Lord. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With these things already known (albeit by the Holy Spirits illumination of the Scriptures), the Spirit of God informed Elizabeth, perhaps at that very moment, that Mary was the one through whom Messiah would be born. 7But they had no child,* because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.d I will not pursue this in any detail here, but let me point out several areas of contrast between Marys theology, her understanding of the Old Testament, and that of the scribes and Pharisees. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.i Let us ponder them. If verse 50 spells out the principle that God blesses His people, from generation to generation, verses 51-55 give some specific ways in which this has and will be done. Both were humble women of no social or economic standing. Revelation 21 Seems To Be After The Millennium Where It Says There Will Be No Pain Or Tears. Thus Mary quickly prepared and left to visit her relative living in an unnamed village17 in the hill country of Judah (v. 39). You shall name him John: the name means Yahweh has shown favor, an indication of Johns role in salvation history. From now on all generations will call me blessed. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:65 And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea. 35 The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. There are those who have distorted the truth of Gods word about Mary, and rather than regarding her blessed above all women, have honored her as above mankind, worshipping her and praying to her as though she were on the level of deity, or even above Messiah. 56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. I believe that Elizabeth knew from the Scriptures that Messiah would be both human and divine, and that He would be born of a virgin. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. This is not so. The Bible requires that men live a life which is miraculous, a life that is humanly impossible (cf. Daily Readings with Questions for Reflection, RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. 65Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. As we conclude, let me suggest some specific applications of our text. Because of this, the practices of our church stand out, and are considered very offensive to many women, and some men. His self-righteousness is evident in the psalm of chapter 2, which dwells on his dilemma, his danger, and his deliverance, but not on God. (3) Mary is a model disciple in her grasp of the grace of God, and in her gratitude toward God for bestowing grace on her. Now, it would appear that both mother and child were both filled with the Holy Spirit simultaneously. Thus there is a kind of criss-crossing effect in the praise of both women, for each expresses ones personal praise, but edifies the other. Elizabeth already knew, believed, and rejoiced in the truth of God, spoken through Gabriel. This is the episode enshrined in western art and iconography as "the visitation," when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and is the occasion for Mary delivering the speech that has come to be known as "the Magnificat.". 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Since Hannahs circumstances more closely parallel those of Elizabeth, some have drawn the hasty conclusion that it was she, rather than Mary, who composed this hymn of praise. He will be called John.i Too often, I fear, we find ourselves performing before others, using our praise to speak to men, to convey some message to them, rather than to God. * [1:5766] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize Johns incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:112). Catholic Public Domain Version . Probably he did this because Mary has already been presented in Lk 1:38 as the obedient handmaid of the Lord who fulfills the requirement for belonging to the . Mary saw her blessing as but an illustration, one instance of Gods grace, which leads her to praise God for His grace to all those who fear Him, from one generation to generation. 24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying, 25 'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'. 16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. In the course of performing his duty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him while he was inside the holy place. 32-33). 26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!, My soul glorifies the Lord(F)47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)48for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant. An aged priest has less faith than a young peasant girl, and thus Elizabeths blessing of Mary for her faith in Gods promise contains a mild rebuke for her doubting husband, who did not believe Gabriels words. In verses 46-49, Mary praises God for His mercy as expressed toward her. Mary and Elizabeths praise of God went much further than just gratitude for the gift of a child. The Birth of John. 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. This includes the immediate goal of redemption and salvation, but it especially includes the setting right of those things which are unjust and evil. We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth ( Luke 1:36 ), gave occasion for it; and sometimes it may prove a better piece of service that we think to bring good people together, to compare notes. Our praise tends to focus primarily on what God has done for us. How, then, did Elizabeth know that Jesus would be born of a virgin, and that the virgin was none other than her relative, Mary? There are many nominal Christians who are tying to live an impossible (miraculous) life, yet who have not been miraculously born again. I fear some of you may be trying to live a miraculous life, but who have not had the prerequisite new birth. May I exhort you to experience this new birth through faith in Christ this very hour. * [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord. The marginal references in our Bibles indicate the many other allusions and parallels. We must seek to dwell much more on the character of God, of His covenant promises, and of His working in history, as well as in the future. Not only did Elizabeth, in a sense, speak for John, she also spoke like John. . 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! 13-17). Elizabeths immediate response to Marys arrival might be explained by some previous communication between the two (e.g. 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. 42 She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Geldenhuys has remarked, It strikes us that Mary in this hymn does not utter a direct word in connection with the Son promised to her. The point I wish to make here is that the restrictions which the New Testament makes on women and their role in public worship are not detrimental to the spiritual life and development of women. Version. 74 that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:1112, 2629) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). 31n Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, CHAPTER 22. (N)52He has brought down rulers from their thronesbut has lifted up the humble. 54 He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love. 57 The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; 58 and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had lavished on her his faithful love, they shared her joy. 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. 30Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. The first to speak, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out in a loud voice and utters words which we could only consider prophetic: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1 : 42). Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. 18 In our study of the book of Jonah, we concluded that Jonah typified the sin of Israel by his lack of compassion, his disobedience, his self-righteousness, and his refusal to repent. 15for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. Mary understood that the good news of Messiahs coming would result in great social reversals. (5) Mary is a model disciple in her grasp of the purposes and promises of God. . She looks backward, to the covenants which God has made with Abraham and with His people in the Old Testament. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? * He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mothers womb,g Creed) accept this. Elizabeths words are not as reflective, but seem almost to explode from her lips unexpectedly. The Lord is with you.m 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. Throughout the Old Testament, the miraculous ministries of Gods chosen instruments often began by a miraculous or unusual birth. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. The Conspiracy Against Jesus. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!, My soul glorifies the Lord(F)47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,(G)48for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited (Heb. (N)52He has brought down rulers from their thronesbut has lifted up the humble. To all our readers, Please don't scroll past this. In the Gospel, Elizabeth tells Mary, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1:45) Gosh, there are so many examples in the world around us where that demonstrate a lack of belief in Jesus' words. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. 67. I am still supposed to be . Our praise, like that of Elizabeth and Mary, should not only seek to exalt God, but also to edify those who may hear it. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1,39-56. 36 And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month. Whether or not Mary was present when John was born. When we look back at Lukes report of what Zacharias was told by Gabriel, it was simply that the son God was giving him and his wife would be the forerunner of Messiah. 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord(D) should come to me? We are led to the conclusion that Marys praise was spoken in the hearing of Elizabeth, just as Elizabeths praise was spoken to God, but for Marys benefit. This is a very poorly supported theory, and one which can be rather quickly set aside. And the angel departed from her. The scribes and Pharisees seemed as though they could only think and talk in terms of the Law of Moses. Luke was a doctor and therefore a man of science and research, and this is reflected in his history of the life of Jesus. Elizabeths praise surpasses Zachariahs petition for a sign. Mary left almost immediately for the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias, and the journey may have taken some time. News.I Let us ponder them our church stand out, and returned to her, not. 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