Before the coming of the Lord, the angel Gabriel came to Mary, the wife of Joseph, and told her that she would give birth to Jesus. In describing her son, the angel said, 1“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” What a blessing it was for Mary to bring forth the Messiah into this world. He told her how she would bear her son, being a virgin, and that it would be done through the Holy Spirit. He also said that her Son 1“shall be called the Son of God.” She was also told of her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, even though she was quite old. With them both being pregnant, the angel explained, 1“for with God nothing shall be impossible.” This is so true. For only God could allow Elizabeth and Mary to bring forth a child in their current state. After hearing all this, Mary said, 1“behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” What faith and adoration to God in this moment. She whole heartedly was all in. After this amazing experience, she went off to pay a visit to Elizabeth.
After arriving at Elizabeth’s place, in the 1“city of Juda”, she 1“saluted Elisabeth” to get her attention. Then, after hearing her greeting, 1“the babe leaped in her womb.” God then came unto Elizabeth and she 1“was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Surely, the Holy Spirit was with Mary and her very presence and speaking was enough to bring great joy in the heart of Elizabeth. The Spirit then filled the room and she did prophecy of Mary’s son. Here are just a few things that she said that amazes me. Without even knowing about Mary’s encounter with the angel, she knew that she was pregnant with the Lord God in her tummy. She called her blessed because of this. Even her baby, John the Baptist, was so happy as he was jumping around with joy in Elizabeth’s tummy. Now Mary’s response was so humble as she rejoiced in her future Son.
After hearing what Elizabeth said, she said, 1“My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” Wow, her praises to the Lord is so beautiful. It touches my heart each time I read how Mary rejoiced in her son, the Lord our God and Savior. She said 1“holy is his name” for the Lord God is the most holy and deserving of our praise. She praised Him for His mercy and spoke of how He would exalt the humble. She even spoke of His mission and ministry to her for fathers and Abraham. What is amazing is that Jesus even said that 2“before Abaham was, I am”. Mary could have only known this if she was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Now let us think and ponder on these things for a moment. Some amazing things took place in this chapter. And as I remember how It all happened, my heart has also been filled with the Holy Spirit. I rejoice in Jesus, the Messiah of the world. He did come as was prophesied of old, and did as Gabriel, Elizabeth and Mary said, right before His birth. His purpose of coming down was greater than all men, for only Jesus would bring salvation to His people and anyone that believes in Him. The Lord does look at the heart and can see our stance with Him. He knows if we are humble and seeking His presence. He also knows when we are seeking our own self and the things of this world. So lower yourself a little, this day, and come unto Jesus. He is waiting to receive You. His mission is to save the lost and if you believe that you need a Savior then He will come and rescue you. Now, for those that already believe and have been brought into His fold, then rejoice with me. Come and rejoice in the Lord, our God. Give praises to Jesus, our Savior. For He has come to save us from our sins. His mercy endures forever and for that, let us bless His holy Name. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration. Give Him thanks for what he has done for your life. The Lord is so good and we have much to be grateful for. I know I am thankful and give the Lord all my love.
Let us pray:
Lord God, I am amazed at what the Holy Spirit can have us say and do. Even without the foreknowledge of things, You make it known unto us, if we are seeking Your hand. You fill our mouths with words to speak. Just as the Holy Spirit was poured into Elizabeth and Mary, at Your birth, I am grateful that You have poured into my life. When they were filled, they knew of Your coming and Your mission. And what amazes me is that they did not exalt themselves but You. It was always You that they lifted up. I know that when I lift myself up in pride, it is not Your hand. This helps me take a step back and look to You again in faith. I love Your presence Lord and want more of You. So come into my life with full force and fill me up, this day. There is nothing life You, God. You are holy and righteous. You are the chosen Messiah and King of the Jews. Your kingdom is not of this world and I am grateful to be a part of it. You are my King and my Savior. Only Your blood could cover my sins. For great was my wickedness but Your mercy has washed me clean. Only You, God, could do such a healing like this. Your miracles have shaped me into the person I am today. I am so happy and it is because of You. I owe all to You, Lord. I praise You and lift you up high. You are worthy and I honor You above all things. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Luke 1:26-56 (KJV)
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 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:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
2John 8:52-59 (KJV)
52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
