Day 4
It is hard to imagine the range of emotions Mary would have experienced during her pregnancy. On one hand, she surely felt great joy as Jesus grew inside her. On the other hand, she likely felt fearful because under Jewish law at that time a woman who became pregnant outside of marriage could be stoned to death.
God did not leave her to face this dire situation alone. The angel Gabriel told her, “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:36-37
Six months earlier, the angel Gabriel had also visited Zechariah. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin) had not been able to have children and were now past childbearing years. Gabriel said to him that his prayer had been heard and his wife was going to bear a son, whom they would name John.
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child (John the Baptist) leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
Luke 1:39-44
Consider
- What does it mean to you that no matter what has gone on in your life, the Lord promises to never leave you if you have put your trust in him? Tell God what this promise means in your life.
Mary responded to Elizabeth’s blessing with what is commonly called the "Magnificat" or "Mary’s Song", in which she praised God for His blessings and His faithfulness to His promises
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
- Luke 1:46-55