A Picture of Things to Come
This is where we learn that Zechariah is a ‘country priest’. (I find the simple phrase ‘hill country’ so evocative of their background.)
Here Luke narrates yet another strange and wonderful episode! And again he features the work of the Holy Spirit, this time in filling a woman of God and her unborn baby to ‘leap’ in response to the presence of their (unborn!) Lord.
Women who have been pregnant will no doubt feel this episode more fully than others. These divinely enabled pregnancies that have to run their due course again show us how the ‘natural’ processes take over quickly from the ‘supernatural’ miracle (as C. S. Lewis noted in his book Miracles).
The two unborn boys are already playing out their roles as Forerunner and Messiah: ‘Though the mothers of John and Jesus meet, the account is portrayed as a meeting of the two children, since John reacts to the meeting as Elizabeth makes clear. In fact, John’s reaction anticipates and mirrors the forerunner role that he will have in Luke 3’ (Bock, 43).
(See Gen. 25:22-26 for an interesting comparison and contrast.)
‘Blessed’ in v. 42 anticipates Mary’s thoughts in v. 48. And the reason for Elizabeth’s otherwise seemingly strange and abrupt pronouncement is seen in the way she newly identifies here little cousin: ‘the mother of my Lord’!
Elizabeth: An Amazed Saint
Again, ‘joy’ is characteristic of this story along with wonder.
Like Mary, Elizabeth too is a model believer for us, someone whose response and joy and faith and humility and obedience we should study and copy. Because of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth ‘expresses the mind of God. This sign sets the mood for the passage. The basic response to the arrival of Jesus onto the scene of history should be joy. Elizabeth is exemplary in her response. She is an “amazed saint”… Here is humble amazement at being able to participate directly in God’s plan and see him at work (2 Sam. 6:9; 24:21). All who have a role in God’s plan should share this wonder… The attitude of Elizabeth is representative of what Luke desires in any believer. What a joy to share in the events associated with Jesus. What a joy to share life with him’ (Bock, 43-44).
The Blessing of Believing, Touched by God
Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled response also further shows us the story and character of Mary. Through Elizabeth’s obedient, joyful words God encourages Mary that she has taken the right action in submitting to his will, that there is beauty and blessing for her in placing herself at his disposal. This is a way of happiness that no amount of self-centred, self-seeking, self-preserving behaviour can attain.
The blessing of believing: ‘To be blessed is to be happy because God has touched one’s life. Such divine benefit rains down on those who trust him and his promises. Blessing emerges from God’s ability to bring his promises to completion, but to share the benefits, we must be confident that God does what he says… Theophilus and readers like him should not doubt, but rejoice and be assured that God keeps his promises. Trust and joy are two vital aspects of a successful walk with God’ (Bock, 44).
This lovely, simple, homely picture of a few believers met together in home and hearth sharing quietly but exuberantly in the wonder and glory God’s amazing grace as his gospel unfolds can be a picture of what we might glimpse in our own lives together as Christ’s church as we find ourselves miraculously and graciously caught up in the plans and purposes of his kingdom. Our part is simply to trust, love, and obey, encouraging each other with blessings pronounced on one another’s faith and obedience, mutually rejoicing in God’s love and power.
Works Cited:
Darrell Bock (1994), Luke, IVP
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