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- Apr 25, 2006
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20 December 2007
Word on the Web
Luke 1: 39-45
Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hills of Judea. She came to Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out in a loud voice, "God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby to which you will give birth. Why has this good thing happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy. You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen."
What is the first thing Mary does when Gabriel leaves? Well she doesn't tell her parents or Joseph! Instead she immediately goes to her cousin Elizabeth, to be with the one person who might believe the news of her miraculous pregnancy. Mary's vulnerability is very evident at this point when the reality of what is happening to her begins to sink in. She needs someone to believe her, and believe in her, and not the censure of shocked parents and a devastated fiancé .
Both Elizabeth and Mary had experienced the grace and favour of God but the consequences were going to be very different for each one of them. God's favour for Elizabeth turns the disgrace of her childlessness to joy and delight. Her waiting has ended as God has answered her persistent prayer. But God's favour for Mary turns her virtue to scandal and shame, to disgrace; for the origins of her son and her virtue would always be considered questionable (even today). God had called her to serve Him and His people in a unique way, but her period of waiting is just beginning. She would need to wait more than 30 years for her vindication at the resurrection of Jesus - His revelation as God's true Son.
The impact of God's grace and favour would reverberate in the lives of this older woman and this young girl for the rest of their lives. The lives of Elizabeth and Mary have much to teach us. Elizabeth is an encouragement to us all to keep praying, even when the longed for answer seems more and more unlikely. God can do anything! Mary is a challenge to us all, to risky faith and courageous service. God can ask us to do anything - even those things others might consider shocking or unacceptable!
Lord God I confess that both Elizabeth and Mary have much to teach me. Forgive me when I am impatient, or too easily give up. Forgive me when I am too cautious, or unwilling to step out in faith with You. Please give me grace sufficient that I might be persistent in prayer, willing to take risks with You and to serve You courageously all the days of my life. Amen
Written by Christine Gore
Word on the Web
Luke 1: 39-45
Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hills of Judea. She came to Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out in a loud voice, "God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby to which you will give birth. Why has this good thing happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy. You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen."
What is the first thing Mary does when Gabriel leaves? Well she doesn't tell her parents or Joseph! Instead she immediately goes to her cousin Elizabeth, to be with the one person who might believe the news of her miraculous pregnancy. Mary's vulnerability is very evident at this point when the reality of what is happening to her begins to sink in. She needs someone to believe her, and believe in her, and not the censure of shocked parents and a devastated fiancé .
Both Elizabeth and Mary had experienced the grace and favour of God but the consequences were going to be very different for each one of them. God's favour for Elizabeth turns the disgrace of her childlessness to joy and delight. Her waiting has ended as God has answered her persistent prayer. But God's favour for Mary turns her virtue to scandal and shame, to disgrace; for the origins of her son and her virtue would always be considered questionable (even today). God had called her to serve Him and His people in a unique way, but her period of waiting is just beginning. She would need to wait more than 30 years for her vindication at the resurrection of Jesus - His revelation as God's true Son.
The impact of God's grace and favour would reverberate in the lives of this older woman and this young girl for the rest of their lives. The lives of Elizabeth and Mary have much to teach us. Elizabeth is an encouragement to us all to keep praying, even when the longed for answer seems more and more unlikely. God can do anything! Mary is a challenge to us all, to risky faith and courageous service. God can ask us to do anything - even those things others might consider shocking or unacceptable!
Lord God I confess that both Elizabeth and Mary have much to teach me. Forgive me when I am impatient, or too easily give up. Forgive me when I am too cautious, or unwilling to step out in faith with You. Please give me grace sufficient that I might be persistent in prayer, willing to take risks with You and to serve You courageously all the days of my life. Amen
Written by Christine Gore
