Advent: December 6th
When the angel leaves, we are told that Mary gets up and quickly travels to the hill-country of Judah to see Elizabeth. If this was Hebron, it would be south of Jerusalem and as far as 97 miles away which, on foot, would have been a 4-5 day journey.
We have no idea if Mary traveled by herself or if she was escorted by a family member or friend. What is interesting though, is that while she does not know it yet, she will be traveling this way again very soon. For the hill-country of Judah is just south of Bethlehem. Could it be that this is a further grace to Mary that when she is 9 months pregnant and about to give birth she will be traveling somewhat familiar roads she had been down only 6 months earlier?
There is no doubt that this trip was especially important to Mary. I’m sure she was bursting at the seems to tell Elizabeth all that had happened, and to affirm this great news that has been given to her. Whether Christ’s conception begins immediately or at some point along the way God does the miraculous work in Mary just as He said He would by beginning the miracle of Jesus within her womb.
How do we know the miracle of life has begun in Mary?
Luke 1:41-45 says, “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.’”
At the very moment Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice, her baby who is John the Baptist leaps in her womb! This is not a typical kick or roll but would have constituted something very unusual indeed. Here the baby John is worshiping and ‘dancing’ within her womb. The Holy Spirit has come upon both Elizabeth and her baby. Not only does the scripture state this directly but we see Elizabeth begin to talk about things she had not even been told about yet. Imagine your cousin comes to visit you out of the blue and very unexpectedly. You have been trying to process many things lately, pregnancy at your advanced age, your husband’s perplexing vision, and inability to speak. Elizabeth would have been used to him coming and going to serve in the temple for he was a priest. It is likely that at the point he can no longer speak they gave him some time off to recover or at least figure things out. Also, there could have been a level of shame that came with his muteness, and he may have even kept himself somewhat secluded as the Bible does not mention him being present when Elizabeth received Mary into their home. That, however, is all conjecture and imaginative. What we are told is, immediately, Elizabeth receives the Holy Spirit and affirms the promise given to Mary by the angel Gabriel. She is humble and gracious and gives Mary (and particularly the baby) great honor and praise. She commends Mary for her faith in believing the angel. She even knows how Mary has responded! Only God can do that! This interaction also confirms what the angel Gabriel said to Zechariah. John the Baptist did receive the Holy Spirit in the Womb.
What a wonderful visit this must have been, a special Spirit filled time of rest and companionship before Mary would embark on her hard and wonderful journey. Mary, likewise, could help care for the needs of Elizabeth during this delicate time while Zachariah was mute.
I hope that you have friends and family like that, people who share your love of the Lord and are mutually edifying! As we gather with these special people this year make a point to thank God for them and let them know how much they mean to you.
