DECEMBER 20

THINK ABOUT THIS

LUKE 1:39-45


“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:.” (Luke 1:41)

This story has become so familiar to us that it’s easy to miss the miracles! Mary and Elisabeth were cousins (Luke 1:36). They knew each other. Surely Elisabeth was aware that Mary was engaged but not yet married. She was just a teenager. Yet, Elisabeth prophesied about Mary being pregnant – not just pregnant, but carrying the Messiah. That was awesome! This certainly didn’t come out of Elisabeth’s mind. She never would have said those things. They were illogical.

Notice also that Elisabeth referred to Jesus as her Lord (verse 43). He had just been conceived! Jesus would have been called a “fetus” today, yet He was Elisabeth’s Lord. The angles also proclaimed Him Lord at His birth (Luke 2:11). Jesus grew physically, but He was Lord from the moment of conception!

It’s also interesting to note that John the Baptist, who was just a six-month old “fetus” at this time , leapt for joy in his mother’s womb. This means that a six-month old “fetus” has emotions. It’s also when John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit. Before he was visible outside the womb, God considered him a person and filled him with the Holy Spirit!

Elisabeth spoke these words without reservation. She placed a blessing on Mary for believing what the Lord had told her and then reassured her that it would surely come to pass (verse 45). What an encouragement and confirmation this must have been to Mary! “Think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). (AW)