Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” [Luke 1:39-45 NKJV] Mary travelled to ‘a city of Judah’ and as we know Judah means praise or praising. She did so hurriedly and visited Zacharias and Elizabeth in that hill country. Everything in this passage speaks of uplifting and high places; of there being momentous events and joyful circumstances. Look at what is said:
These are all exceptionally positive words in what was a hugely difficult time. If we read the history of the Bible Lands this was a time of great upheaval. We are in such a time at this very moment, and we need the Lord’s help again. We need to focus on Him, not the problem. In this picture we see two women in the same situation, who knew each other — both have been spoken to by the Archangel Gabriel and given the same sort of message. Each recognises the importance and position of the other. Elizabeth says that the mother of my Lord should come to me, for example. Elizabeth got this from the Holy Spirit; nowhere else. The realisation quickly comes that we are in the high places;,the heavenly realms of the Holy Spirit, where all that God reveals in that moment is known, and that there is an amazing event about to unfold; a prophecy fulfilled, and an assurance of that fulfilment. There is an unfolding of events, and an inexorable logic taking place now that everything has been established. Two women, both about to give birth to players in the most wonderful event ever — one that would transform all things — that will bring great hope; but also suffering and despair and cruel death before setting in motion the saving of mankind. This is momentous indeed, and we should know today — just as it was then — that God has made promises of which there will be a fulfilment. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow” (Matthew 6:28). A lily is not always in the sunshine; for the greater part of the year it is hidden in the earth. “How they grow” — in the dark, only for a short time are they radiantly beautiful and sweet ... We can never be lilies in the garden unless we have spent time as bulbs in the dark, totally ignored. That is how to grow. |
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Archives
October 2024
Archive by Title
Archive by Bible VerseAuthors
GEORGE and GILL STEWART |