When We Need Someone
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:39-41, NIV)
In answer to Mary’s question, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel explains the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit which will result in her miraculous conception. He also tells her of her relative, Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her advanced age.
It should be no surprise, then, that Mary hurries to the home of Elizabeth in Judea. The moment she greets her elder, the baby John leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. This was precisely what the angel Gabriel had told Zechariah in the temple - “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” (Lk. 1:15)
This is an important passage. Luke 1:56 tells us Mary remained with Elizabeth for three months, returning to Nazareth just before she gave birth to baby John. We can only imagine what these two women talked about during their time together, but if Mary harbored any reservations about sharing her divine pregnancy with Elizabeth, this initial experience paved the way for the younger Mary to confide in her older relative.
I expect Mary shared her concerns and fears, as well as her questions, hopes, and dreams with Elizabeth during her time in Judea. And I imagine she returned home with the knowledge that someone else understood something of what she was going through.
There are times when God is at work in our lives in ways we do not fully understand. That’s when it helps to have family or friends with whom we can open up our hearts.
Is there someone you can confide in, share with, and draw encouragement from in your life? Ask God to help you find that person.
In Christ,
Dan
‘Tis the season to open our hearts to others.
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